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American Sign Language (ASL)

History of Sign Language and American Sign Language (ASL)

Origins of Sign Language

Sign languages have existed for centuries, evolving naturally within Deaf communities as a visual means of communication. Early references to sign language date back to ancient Greece and Rome, where gestures were used to communicate with individuals who were Deaf. However, formalized sign language systems began to emerge in the 18th century, particularly in Europe. One of the earliest milestones was the establishment of the National Institute for Deaf-Mutes in Paris by Abbé de l’Épée in 1760. This institution played a pivotal role in developing French Sign Language (LSF), which later influenced other sign languages globally (Baynton, 1996).

In the 18th century, formalized education for Deaf individuals began in Europe, with the establishment of schools like the National Institute for Deaf-Mutes in Paris by Abbé de l’Épée. This school played a pivotal role in developing French Sign Language (LSF), which influenced many other sign languages globally (Power, 2022).

Development of American Sign Language (ASL)

American Sign Language (ASL) originated in the early 19th century, primarily influenced by Old French Sign Language (OFSL). Laurent Clerc, a Deaf educator from France, and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, an American minister, co-founded the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1817. Clerc introduced OFSL to the United States, where it blended with regional sign systems, such as those used in Martha’s Vineyard and Sandy River Valley, to form ASL (Lane, 1984; Groce, 1985).

ASL continued to evolve throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, shaped by the establishment of schools for the Deaf and the growth of Deaf communities. Regional variations and dialects emerged, reflecting the linguistic diversity of ASL users. A significant milestone in ASL’s recognition as a distinct language was the publication of the first ASL dictionary by William Stokoe in 1960. Stokoe’s research demonstrated that ASL possessed its own grammar, syntax, and linguistic structure, separate from English, solidifying its status as a bona fide language (Stokoe, 1960).

Global Perspective

Sign languages are not universal; each country or region has its own distinct sign language, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of Deaf communities. For example, British Sign Language (BSL) and ASL are entirely different, despite both being used in English-speaking countries. Similarly, Japanese Sign Language (JSL) and Cuban Sign Language (LSC) developed independently, showcasing the adaptability and richness of visual communication systems worldwide (Lane, 1984; Fischer, 2010).

Some sign languages, like Nicaraguan Sign Language, have emerged relatively recently, demonstrating the natural evolution of language within Deaf communities (Meir & Sandler, 2008). Cuban Sign Language (LSC) is another example of a unique sign language that developed independently within its cultural context. LSC emerged organically within Deaf communities in Cuba, shaped by the country’s social and linguistic environment. While LSC shares similarities with other sign languages, such as ASL and LSF, it is distinct in its grammar, vocabulary, and cultural expressions. The Cuban government has made efforts to support Deaf education and promote the use of LSC in public schools, art schools, universities and public spaces, recognizing its importance in fostering communication and inclusion (Fischer, 2010).

References

Baynton, D. C. (1996). Forbidden signs: American culture and the campaign against sign language. University of Chicago Press.

Fischer, S. (2010). Sign languages in their historical context. The Routledge Handbook of Historical Linguistics.

Groce, N. E. (1985). Everyone here spoke sign language: Hereditary deafness on Martha’s Vineyard. Harvard University Press.

Lane, H. (1984). When the mind hears: A history of the deaf. Random House.

Meir, I., & Sandler, W. (2008). A language in space: The story of Israeli Sign Language. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Power, J. M. (2022). Historical linguistics of sign languages: Progress and problems. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 818753. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.818753

Stokoe, W. C. (1960). Sign language structure: An outline of the visual communication systems of the American Deaf. Studies in Linguistics: Occasional Papers.