American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages, ASL has grammar that is different from English. It is expressed by movements of the hand and the face as well. ASL can not always be translated directly into captions. Closed Captions are not a sufficient substitute for ASL. Similar to those English speaking users of ASL evoke emotion visually to convey tone and attitude.

ASL is distinct from English, as ASL’s sentence structure can be broad ASL often is structured by topic-comment structure. The English language structure is SVO; subject, verb and then object. It is important when translating something from spoken English to ASL to also translate the sentence structure. For example, I am open to learning new things in English would translate to; new thing learn i open in ASL. This is ASL gloss meaning the written version of ASL signs using English words.

The History of ASL

In 1817, The first school of the deaf was created. In Hartford Connecticut it was founded by Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, Laurent Clerc, and Mason Fitch Cogswell. Dr.Gallaudet met his neighbor’s deaf daughter Alice Cogwell and wanted to effectively communicate with her. He traveled to Europe since there was a history of deaf education in Europe. He came back to the U.S. with Laurent Clerc, a deaf educator who taught using French Sign Language (LSF). Eventually, In 1817, Gallaudet and Clerc both founded the American School for the Deaf in Hartford Connecticut. Deaf students began to travel to the school with their own unique signs since there was not a formal sign language in the country. By mixing these signs everyone contributed and Laurent Clerc’s french sign language in his teachings they created american sign language.

The first dictionary of sign language based on those linguistic principles was named the Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles (DASL) and it was published in 1965, created by linguist William C. Stokoe. ASL was recognized as the foundation of a visually oriented Deaf community. Schools later began to accept sign language in schools, there are also now Sign language classes taught in high schools and Colleges. ASL is now an integrated part of Americans’ everyday lives.

References

Jay, Michelle. “History of American Sign Language | Start ASL.” Startasl.com, 14 July 2023, www.startasl.com/history-of-american-sign-language/.
‌ Jennings, Glen. “A Semi-Brief Fascinating History of American Sign Language + Resources for Learning – Human Development Institute.” Uky.edu, 29 May 2023, hdi.uky.edu/news/a-semi-brief-fascinating-history-of-american-sign-language-resources-for-learning/.
‌“American Sign Language, a Language Recognized – Awareness, Access and Change | Gallaudet University.” Gallaudet University, 24 Aug. 2022, gallaudet.edu/museum/exhibits/history-through-deaf-eyes/awareness-access-and-change/american-sign-language-a-language-recognized/?‌