The Story of ASL

Summary

The roots of American Sign Language (ASL) trace back to Martha's Vineyard, where a unique sign language developed among the deaf community in the 17th century. Thomas Gallaudet, inspired by a deaf child, established the first American school for the deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1817, blending various sign systems and Parisian Sign Language to create ASL. Despite a backlash in the 1880s favoring oral education, ASL persevered and eventually gained recognition as a vital language for the deaf community, highlighting its historical significance and the ongoing advocacy for its respect and use.

Takeaways

• 📜 ASL's roots date back to the late 17th century on Martha's Vineyard, where a significant deaf population developed a unique sign language.
• 👂 Many hearing residents on Martha's Vineyard also used this sign language, creating a community of communication.
• 🏫 In 1817, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet founded the first American school for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, after studying deaf education methods in France.
• 🇫🇷 ASL emerged from a blend of various sign languages, including the Martha's Vineyard sign language and Parisian Sign Language.
• 📈 ASL shares a closer relationship with French Sign Language than with British Sign Language, which has no historical ties to ASL.
• 🌍 Throughout the 19th century, deaf schools opened across the US, and graduates spread ASL as they became educators in their communities.
• 🚫 The growth of ASL faced challenges in the 1880s when oral education advocates, including Alexander Graham Bell, discouraged sign language.
• ⛓️ Students were punished for using ASL, leading to restrictions that hindered their learning experience.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Despite the repression, ASL persisted in secret, remaining a vital form of communication among deaf individuals.
• 📚 By the late 20th century, research highlighted the importance of early language acquisition, leading to a resurgence in the recognition and respect for ASL.

Q & A

What are the origins of American Sign Language (ASL)?

ASL has its roots in the early 17th century on Martha's Vineyard, where a significant deaf population developed its own sign language.

Who was Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, and what was his contribution to ASL?

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was a preacher who founded the first American school for the Deaf in 1817 after researching methods for educating the deaf and bringing Laurent Clerc from France to assist him.

How did the development of ASL reflect the social environment of Martha's Vineyard?

The deaf residents of Martha's Vineyard communicated using sign language, which was also learned by many hearing residents, creating a unique bilingual community.

What role did Laurent Clerc play in the establishment of ASL?

Laurent Clerc was a deaf teacher from France who helped Gallaudet establish the American School for the Deaf and introduced elements of French Sign Language into the evolving ASL.

What factors contributed to the decline of sign language use in the 1880s?

The rise of oral education, promoted by figures like Alexander Graham Bell, led many schools to discourage the use of sign language, often punishing students who signed.

How did ASL evolve after the 19th century?

ASL continued to develop as deaf schools opened across the US, incorporating various signing systems and fostering a rich language environment among deaf communities.

What significant shift occurred regarding attitudes towards ASL in the late 20th century?

In the late 20th century, research began to highlight the benefits of acquiring a full language early, leading to a resurgence of respect and advocacy for ASL within the deaf community.

In what ways did ASL differ from British Sign Language?

ASL is more closely related to French Sign Language and has no historical ties to British Sign Language, which evolved independently.

What impact did the American School for the Deaf have on the spread of ASL?

The American School for the Deaf served as a central hub for deaf education, where graduates disseminated ASL across the country in various educational roles.

What were the consequences for students who were forbidden from using sign language?

Students who were prohibited from using sign language struggled to acquire speech and missed out on valuable educational opportunities in other subjects.