Sign Language

Many times I have wondered how sign language came to be. I know that deaf people have to use sign language to communicate but where did sign language come to be used for people that aren't deaf and need to use sign language. When did it become something that should be used on the playing field? Was it always something that could give you and edge in keeping your plays and intentions secret from the other team? Who decided which symbol stood for which word? Is it better to use sign language in certain situations, or is it better to use words to get across the same message? I feel that in certain situations like uncomfortable ones or any situation like that, that the use of sign language is better because you can get the same message across without hurting anyones feelings. Sign language is a key way of communicating for most all people. I believe that everyone uses sign language in very different ways. To better their ways of communicating yes, and in many ways it can get you into trouble when people talk with their hands to much. But overall sign language is a key way to the use of our language and an asset to our language.