American Sign Language

Factsheet about American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is one of the most widely used languages in the United States.

ASL is primarily used by Deaf and hard of hearing Americans and Canadians. In addition, ASL is used by: 1) hearing children of deaf parents; 2) hearing siblings and relatives of the deaf, and 3) hearing adults who are becoming deaf and are learning ASL from other deaf individuals. Additionally, a growing population of hearing, second-language students are learning ASL in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary classrooms.

ASL is a visual language. It has its own grammatical rules and semantics.

ASL is deeply rooted in the Deaf Community and Culture. Early sign language was already in use in Colonial America, notably in Martha’s Vineyard Island where many deaf people once lived. In 1817, Laurent Clerc, the first deaf teacher in American came from Paris, France to Hartford, Connecticut with Thomas Gallaudet to set up the first school for the deaf. He used French Sign Language in his teachings which led to the standardization of early American Sign Language into modern American Sign Language. The folklore, the history of Deaf people, cultural values and arts are expressed and preserved through ASL.

There are approximately 250,000 – 500,000 ASL users in USA and Canada (Baker and Cokely, 1980). Most of them use ASL as their primary language.

At least thirty-five (35) States have recognized ASL as a modern language for public schools. Hundreds of colleges/universities (at least 750, Cokely 1986) in the United States are offering ASL classes. Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC offers a four-year bachelor program in ASL.

Abundant resources on ASL research, evaluation, curriculum, literature, books and videotapes are available for students and teachers.

Qualified ASL teachers are certified by a national professional organization, the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA). There are state organizations affiliated with ASLTA. Check the ASLTA website at ASLTA.org for more information about state and local chapters. The ASLTA, Chapters of ASLTA and some universities (e.g., Gallaudet University, Columbia University, Western Maryland University, University of Rochester and Keuka College in New York) offer training in teaching ASL.

Bibliography

Baker, C. and Cokely, D., “American Sign Language: a teacher’s resource text on grammar and culture,” T.J. Publishers, Silver Spring, Md., 1980.Bienvenu, M. and Colonomos, B., “Deaf Culture Series,” SIGN Media Inc, Silver Spring, NO, 1988.

Gannon, J., “Deaf Heritage: A Narrative History of Deaf America,” NAD Publishers, Silver Spring, MD, 1981.

Grace, N., “Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language,” Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1985.

Holcomb, R., Holcomb, S. and Holcomb, T. , “Deaf Culture: Our Way,” Dawn Sign Press, San Diego, CA, 1994.

Humphries,T., Padden, C. and O’Rourke, T., “A Basic Course in American Sign Language,” T.J. Publishers, Silver Spring, MD, 1994.

Lane, H., “When the Mind Hears,” Random House, New York, 1984.

Padden , C. and Humphries, T., “Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture,” Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1988.

Poizner, H., Klima, S. and Bellugi, U., “What the Hands Reveal About the Brain,” MIT Press, 1987.

Rutherford, S., “A Study of American Deaf Folklore,” Linstock Press, Silver Spring, MD, 1993.

Smith, C., Lentz, E. and Mikos, K., “Signing Naturally,” Dawn Sign Press, San Diego, CA.,1988.

Sacks, O., “Seeing Voices: A Journey Into the World of the Deaf,” Univ. of Calif. Press, CA, 1990.

Stokoe, W., Casterline, D. and Croneberg, C., “A Dictionary of American Sign Language on linguistic principle,” Linstok Press, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, 1976.

Stokoe, W., editor, “Sign and Culture: A Reader for Students of American Sign Language,” Linstok Press, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, 1978.

Wilcox, S., “Academic Acceptance of American Sign Language,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, July 1, 1987.

Wilcox, S., editor, “American Deaf Culture: An Anthology,” Linstok Press, Inc. Silver Spring, MD, 1989.

This factsheet was originally prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee of North Carolina Tar Heel Chapter of ASLTA, and North Carolina Association of the Deaf, for use in preparing the ASL Bill for the North Carolina State Legislature.

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