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History of British Sign Language

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Samuel Pepys diary extract

Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist, describes a conversation between George Downing and a deaf boy (November 1666)

But, above all, there comes in the dumb boy that I knew in Oliver's time, who is mightily acquainted here, and with Downing; and he made strange signs of the fire, and how the King was abroad, and many things they understood, but I could not, which I wondering at, and discoursing with Downing about it, "Why," says he, "it is only a little use, and you will understand him, and make him understand you with as much ease as may be."