The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-07-13
Children Crv
FOR FLETCHER'S
Q a 8 TO IA
THE BOY SCOUTS.
To Learn the Universal Sign Languag,

To Learn the Universal Sign Language.
The Boy Scouts of America are learn
ing universal sign language and,
therefore, are developing the real Esper-
anto. Under the guidance of Ernest
Thompson Seton, Chief Scout, the boys
are learning the signs of communicate
not only between the boys of this coun-
try but also between the boys of every
other nation. The plan now being de-
veloped means that eventually the boys
of all nations will have a common
language and that they will be drawn
more closely together. Such binding of
the boys of the different nations to-
gether, it is asserted by the leaders of
the Boy Scout movement, will tend
greatly toward the promotion of univer-
sal peace.
The sign language is simple. 1t is
common to all nations. 1t perhaps was
developed long before the art of speak
ing. 1t is natural to use gestures and
signs to emphasize ones ideas in peak
ing. These gestures may express entire
sentences. For instance, the traffic
patrolmen in crowded thoroughfares in
New York use the sign language. They
are on duty all day directing the traffic
OF thousands of vehicles, and perhaps
never speak one word
Baseball players have sign language.
Every sport has given rise to certain
gestures or signs that are perfectly
natural and are understood easily by
persons not versed in that speciala ctivi:.
ty. Children and grown-ups use ges-
lures and, therefore signs, instinctively.
More than 100 signs are used by the chill
dren in the public schools. There are 8, 900
signs that students of the language have
picked up. Aperson can communicate his
thoughts intelligently with 600 of
them. The ordinary person uses a
vocabulary of not more than 1900
words. The signs have been developed
in the deaf and dumb schools so that the
deaf and dumb alphabet is discarded, ex-
cept for the spelling of proper names and
unsual words.
ut is fact, says Chief Scout Seton,
that at many deaf and dumb schools
whole lectures are delivered and sermons
preached by the use of highly developed
sign language. A single sign may con
vey an entire sentence. The savages
out West have sign language. A per
son who understands the sign language
can talk to an Indian. He can convey
his meaning adequately to persons Of
different nations, such as Russia, China
and India without speaking word"
Chief Scout Seton points out that the
use of the sign language makes a person
more observant, and that observing
persons use it. The sign language may
be used in signalling. 1t may be EN-
ployed IN places such as hospitals, where
/ persons may not be permitted to speak
tits used in places where the noise is 81
great that the voice cannot be heard, o.
perhaps in speaking to one anothe
across room. Its use is so great,
recognized that it is being developed il
the army and many other places.
Chief Scout Seton has prepared ;
dictionary of signs, with illustrations
which will soon be ready not only for tn,
use of the scouts, but for all person
who are interested in learning the sgl
language. every person uses signs,
says Chief Scout Seton, ''but the
Boy Scouts in developing it are speadns
it throughout the entire world, and arr
putting into practice the real Esperant,
language. They will naturally come il
closer contact with one another, and will
be united in a universal brotherhood
What can be more helpful in the promo
ton of universal peace? l hope every
Boy Scout will study sign language