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American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language. With signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes. The shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements, all play important parts in conveying information.
Sign language is not a universal language — each country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, much like the many languages spoken all over the world. Like any spoken language, ASL is a language with its own unique rules of grammar and syntax. It was officially recognized as a language in 1960 through the linguistic research of William Stokoe and his team. Like all languages, ASL is a living language that grows and changes over time.
ASL is used predominantly in the United States and in many parts of Canada as well as some parts of Mexico, Africa and the Caribbean. ASL is accepted by many high schools, colleges, and universities in fulfillment of modern and “foreign” language academic degree requirements across the United States.
How was ASL developed?
English Version
Copy of History of ASL ES 2024.mp4ASL - Student Production
ASL developed naturally in the United States during the 1800 through the interaction of French (Parisian) Sign Language, Martha's Vineyard Sign Language, Native American sign languages, and home signs used by families of deaf individuals.
In 1814, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet realized there was no formal way to educate deaf children in the U.S. He began teaching his neighbors deaf daughter, Alice Cogswell, but had little success in teaching her to read and write despite Alice being a very intelligent girl. So, Gallaudet gained community support and funding to travel to Europe to learn about way of educating deaf children.
He began his journey in England. Here they had an oral, speech-based system for educating their students. When Gallaudet came to the school to learn about their methods, he was not welcomed. So, Gallaudet moved on to Paris, France.
Arriving in Paris, Gallaudet visited the National Institute of Deaf-Mutes. It was here that he met Laurent Clerc, a deaf teacher. At this school, they used sign language as a method of instruction. Gallaudet was very impressed by their work that he asked Laurent Clerc to return to America with him to establish a school.
In 1817, Gallaudet and Clerc established one of the first schools for deaf which is now known as the American School for the Deaf (ASD). Upon opening, deaf children from all over came to the school and brought their own signs with them. As they interacted, their signs naturally became adopted by one another. It was then that ASL was born.
Is ASL a real language?
YES! ASL has developed naturally and has it's own unique vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, and it is used to communicate complex thoughts and ideas. In 1960, William Stokoe and his team published the first dictionary of American Sign Language which accredited ASL as a true language.
Is sign language universal?
There is no Universal Sign Language. While some sign languages are similar, different countries and regions use their own unique sign languages.
How can I learn ASL?
Check out our "Learn ASL" resource page for more info!
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