Just here, perhaps, I had better explain our use of the manual alphabet, which seems to puzzle people who do not know us.
I read her lips almost exclusively, (she does not know the manual alphabet) and we get on quite well.
The manual alphabet is that in use among all educated deaf people.
Two of the teachers knew the manual alphabet, and talked to her without an interpreter.
Occasionally some little boy or girl will try to learn the manual alphabet.
These are largely similar to the letters of the American manual alphabet.
It is one of the oldest manual alphabets still in use.
By 1720, the British manual alphabet had found more or less its present form.
However the British manual alphabet was used in the early years.
Several manual alphabets in use around the world employ two hands for some or all of the letters.
