How fantastic. The discussion has turned to signed languages. Little chance of YARTs here. To answer a few initial questions...

Signs are not considered "words" by most practicing sign language linguists. The structure of the language is sifficiently different from written English... kinda akin to many Asian languages not having "letters" and spoken English not having "letters" (instead having phonemes and syllables).

Signing is indeed different in England (where they sign British Sign Language). American SL is primarily used in the US and Canada. If you think about why languages develop differently (Spanish and French both from Latin but separated by the Pyrenees). The Deaf haven't had the influence of "media" to bring their languages together, and not having a standardized written from, the languages were free to develop independently. (ASL is in fact most like French Sign Language, http://www.bconnex.net/~randys/history.htm

There are plenty of signed colloquialisms that are very difficult to convey in English. One has the same problems with any language with a deeply rooted culture with different values, mores, etc. that have an effect on the language and how it is used.

Good to be back, and I appreciate the welcome...
Brandon