The Development of American Sign Language Essay - 2934 Words

The development of American Sign Language in the United States dates back to as early as the 1600s. On Martha’s Vineyard there was a relatively large Deaf population due to genetics and heredity. This was thought to trace back to the first people of the land, who traveled from Massachusetts and carried this genetic deafness with them. Because there were so many people that were deaf living there, it was extremely common for all people, deaf and hearing, to learn their own version of sign language. This early form of sign language was known as Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) (Lapiak, 1996-2014). Little did the creators of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language know, MVSL would be incorporated into the first school for deaf students†¦show more content†¦The time came that Gallaudet had to come back to the United States, but he had not felt that he had learned enough sign language to bring this method of communication back to the American people. Laurent Cl erc agreed to come on the journey back to the United States with him, teaching him more sign language along the way as Gallaudet taught him English. When they arrived in the United States, the two were able to put together the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817 (â€Å"Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet,† 2013). This school educated students from surrounding areas that included Martha’s Vineyard. The students from the Vineyard were able to bring with them their land’s created version of sign language and intertwine it with their new schooling (Lapiak, 1996-2014). This was only the beginning of education and schools for deaf students. Later in the 1800s, one of Thomas Gallaudet’s sons, Edward Miner Gallaudet, had a strong desire to begin another school for deaf students. He chose Washington, D.C. as the location for Gallaudet College, the first national college that was created specifically for the needs of deaf students. In 1864, Edward Mi ner Gallaudet solicited President Abraham Lincoln to sign the charter allowing for the establishment of this college. The student enrollment was very small at first, but over time enrollment grew and eventually the college was able to gain the title ofShow MoreRelatedI Am A Future Speech Language Pathologist1307 Words   |  6 PagesWhile on my path to be a future Speech Language Pathologist, I cannot in good conscience continue without having a decent knowledge of basic conversational American Sign Language (ASL). Before I chose this career my parents took the time to educate me in the ABCs and simple signs, I have continued to learn more as time has gone on. Even with my limited knowledge it has already helped me greatly through out my professional career. However ASL is not always beneficial, primarily with those who areRead MoreThe Acquisition Of Language And The Critical Period845 Words   |  4 PagesThe Acquisition of Language and the Critical Period What is a critical period? It is a period in which a certain skill is believed to be most easily acquired, but is there one for the acquisition of language? The case study, â€Å"The Linguistic Development of Genie† (Curtiss, et al 1974) and paper â€Å"Maturational Constraints on Language Learning†(Newport, 1990) implicates that the theory of the critical period can apply for acquisition of language. The case study of Genie demonstrates an unfortunateRead MoreThe Effects Of Deafness On Deaf Children1669 Words   |  7 Pagescollectivism, identity, transnationalism, community, and Deaf Space. American Sign Language is a visual-based language that is the primary language used by Deaf individuals. 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