makaton is a set of simple sign language and black-and-white symbols (pictures) which are used alongside simple talk. makaton is a sign language that is free to teach other people but it is also sold, taught, guarded and checked up on by the business which started it. makaton started with simple ordinary english and british sign language hand-signs; the pictures were added later. it is now used all over the world and changed for the country it is used in. it uses the same hand-signs as the sign language of the country it is used in but not in the same way. for example, in britain, makaton hand-signing is mostly made from bsl (british sign language), but the signs are used in a different order alongside the simple spoken words.