Mission:
To educate hearing individuals on the fantastic language that is ASL and the beauty of deaf culture. To explore the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and identity. To explore language as a tool for identity expression. To help me learn and grown in my relationship with ASL and deaf culture because I'm a hearing person who wants to one day become an interpreter.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF American Sign Language
Created by a combination of sign languages created in small communities in the US and the efforts of two Frenchmen named Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet in the 19th century (Baker and Cokely), ASL is not the only sign language native to America. Many American Indian tribes developed their own forms of sign and used them as trade languages for deaf and hearing people alike (Heikkinen, and Bearringer). ASL is the official language for American deaf culture, however because the vast majority of deaf or hard of hearing individuals are born to hearing parents they may not always be exposed to ASL and deaf culture until they are older. Many families will combine signs and English grammatical structure to create a linguistic system unique to their household or community. Still others prefer to speak with their mouths instead of their hands. There are many reasons for this including degree of hearing (with or without hearing aids), familial preference, and location.
Who uses ASL? Well, those who are deaf or hard of hearing may use it. There are cases where those individuals prefer to talk or associate with those who cannot sign so it depends on who they are conversing with. Deaf or hard of hearing people use it because its a quick and effective way to communicate. For many it is the more comfortable way to communicate. Hearing people use it for various reasons. Some use it if they have a friend or family member who uses ASL. Others if they have a deaf child and they want that child to have access to it. Many use it if they have problems with mouth movement, because ASL can provide a supplement for speech or replace it all together. ASL is a diverse language with many uses and it continues to grow in accessibility. Some people teach baby sign to their children because it may help them communicate with their caregivers sooner, though this is not the same as ASL.
The terms deaf and hard of hearing in my understanding have their own unique histories and different people have different preferences. In my experience the term deaf is preferable for people who participate in deaf culture. This includes hearing people with deaf family members, many interpreters I've met, and others who are aware of the rich culture that comes with ASL. The term hard of hearing is more often used by hearing people or those who are not mostly deaf. Some consider deaf to carry a negative connotation and others think the same of hard of hearing. Many hearing people think that hard of hearing is more PC and so when I discuss my interest in ASL and use the word deaf I am viewed as slightly vulgar. For my own purposes I use the term deaf though I consider both to be useful in different situations.
Please see the "Author Bio" tab for a brief history of my relationship with ASL.
Who uses ASL? Well, those who are deaf or hard of hearing may use it. There are cases where those individuals prefer to talk or associate with those who cannot sign so it depends on who they are conversing with. Deaf or hard of hearing people use it because its a quick and effective way to communicate. For many it is the more comfortable way to communicate. Hearing people use it for various reasons. Some use it if they have a friend or family member who uses ASL. Others if they have a deaf child and they want that child to have access to it. Many use it if they have problems with mouth movement, because ASL can provide a supplement for speech or replace it all together. ASL is a diverse language with many uses and it continues to grow in accessibility. Some people teach baby sign to their children because it may help them communicate with their caregivers sooner, though this is not the same as ASL.
The terms deaf and hard of hearing in my understanding have their own unique histories and different people have different preferences. In my experience the term deaf is preferable for people who participate in deaf culture. This includes hearing people with deaf family members, many interpreters I've met, and others who are aware of the rich culture that comes with ASL. The term hard of hearing is more often used by hearing people or those who are not mostly deaf. Some consider deaf to carry a negative connotation and others think the same of hard of hearing. Many hearing people think that hard of hearing is more PC and so when I discuss my interest in ASL and use the word deaf I am viewed as slightly vulgar. For my own purposes I use the term deaf though I consider both to be useful in different situations.
Please see the "Author Bio" tab for a brief history of my relationship with ASL.