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Understanding American Sign Language

This document provides an overview of American Sign Language (ASL). It discusses ASL as a true, natural language with its own grammar and variations. A short history is given of ASL developing from French signing and the founding of the first school for the deaf in the US in 1817. Statistics about ASL users in the US and Canada are presented, as well as a map showing where ASL is used. The document also discusses ideological barriers to recognizing ASL as an official language.

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180 views12 pages

Understanding American Sign Language

This document provides an overview of American Sign Language (ASL). It discusses ASL as a true, natural language with its own grammar and variations. A short history is given of ASL developing from French signing and the founding of the first school for the deaf in the US in 1817. Statistics about ASL users in the US and Canada are presented, as well as a map showing where ASL is used. The document also discusses ideological barriers to recognizing ASL as an official language.

Uploaded by

DaisyS
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Outline
  • Why American Sign Language?
  • Are Signed Languages Real Languages?
  • Where Does This Leave ASL?
  • Short History of ASL
  • American Sign Language
  • Where ASL is Spoken
  • Ideological Barriers
  • ASL as the Third Official Language in Canada?
  • Conclusion
  • References

Silje Helen

American Sign Language


(ASL)
Outline

 Why American Sign Language?


 Are signed languages «real» languages?
 Where does this leave ASL?
 Short history of ASL
 Numbers and countries
 Language Issues
 Official language?
 Gallaudet University
Why American Sign Language?

 BA Norwegian Sign Language and Interpreting


 Deaf community
Are Signed Languages «real» languages?

 YES!
 30 years of scientific research
 Naturally evolved
 Linguistic properties and grammatical organization
 Regional and lexical variations
 The brain is «hardwired» to detect patterns of language
Where does this leave ASL?

 visual-gestural
 True, complete, rich
 Unrelated to English
 Intergenerationally transmitted between signers
 Popular “foreign language”
Short history of ASL

 French roots
 Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851)
 London  Paris
 April 15, 1817: First school for the Deaf in the US (now: American School for
the Deaf) opened in Hartford
 Prior to this they were not united by a common language
American Sign Language

 A language of North America


 Alternate Names
 ASL, Ameslan, SIGN AMERICA
 Speakers
 US - 250,000 (Mitchell et al 2006).
 Canada - 3,660 (2011 census)
 Total users in all countries: 271,700.
 Location
 Scattered, especially in urban centers and near (present or former) residential Deaf schools.
 Language Status
 5 (Developing).
 Classification
 Sign language
Where ASL is spoken
in the world
Ideological barriers

 Official and legal recognition


 Legislations – difficult area to navigate in
 USA - [Link]
 Canada - [Link]
 Language Rights
American Sign Language to become the
third official language in Canada?
 [Link]
looked-at-new-official-language-sign-language

 [Link]
[Link]
Thank you!
?
References
 Introduction picture: By Psiĥedelisto - Own work, Public Domain,
[Link]
 Petitto, L. A. (1994). “Are signed languages “real” languages? Evidence from American Sign
Language and Langue des Signes Québécoise”. Retrieved from Gallaudet University:
[Link]
 Simons, G. F. and Fennig, C. D. (Eds.). (2017). American Sign Language. Ethnologue:
Languages of the World, Twentieth edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Retrieved from
[Link]
 Mitchell, R. E., Young, T. A., Bachleda, B., and Karchmer, M. (2006). How Many People Use
ASL in the United States? Why Estimates Need Updating. Sign Language Studies, 6(3), pp. 306-
335. doi: 10.1353/sls.2006.0019
 Canadian Association of the Deaf (2015): [Link]
canadians/
 Tabak, J. (2006). Significant Gestures. A history of American Sign Language. Westport,
Connecticut: Praeger Publishers
 Map: By Kwamikagami at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0,
[Link]
 Reagan, Timothy (2011). Ideological Barriers to American Sign Language: Unpacking
Linguistic Resistance. Sign Language Studies, 11(4), pp. 606-636. doi: 10.1353/sls.2011.0006

American Sign Language (ASL) Silje Helen
Outline Why American Sign Language? Are signed languages «real» languages? Where does this leave ASL? Short history of AS
Why American Sign Language? BA Norwegian Sign Language and Interpreting Deaf community
Are Signed Languages «real» languages? YES! 30 years of scientific research Naturally evolved Linguistic properties and g
Where does this leave ASL? visual-gestural True, complete, rich Unrelated to English Intergenerationally transmitted betw
Short history of ASL French roots Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851) London Paris April 15, 1817: First school for the
American Sign Language  A language of North America  Alternate Names  ASL, Ameslan, SIGN AMERICA  Speakers  US - 250,0
Where ASL is spoken in the world
Ideological barriers Official and legal recognition Legislations – difficult area to navigate in USA - https://www.nad.org
American Sign Language to become the third official language in Canada? http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/documents-show-f

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