Editing American manual alphabet (section)

== Changes and variations in the manual alphabet ==
Like other languages, American Sign Language is constantly evolving. While changes in fingerspelling are less likely, slight changes still occur over time. The manual alphabet looks different today than it did merely decades ago. A prime example of this pattern of change is found in the "screaming 'E'". Older generations of deaf individuals still insist that the "E" handshape requires that the thumb make contact with the tips of the index and middle fingers. Meanwhile, younger generations are beginning to produce a handshape that separates the thumb from the other fingers on the lower end of the palm.<ref>{{Cite book |last=M. |first=NOMELAND, MELVIA |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1154409793 |title=DEAF COMMUNITY IN AMERICA: HISTORY IN THE MAKING. |date=2011 |publisher=MCFARLAND |isbn=978-0-7864-6397-8 |oclc=1154409793}}</ref>