The Story of ASL

The Story of American Sign Language goes back hundreds of years, to a time before America was even a nation. Produced for Mental Floss.

[@siddakid23]

POV: you're here because of a assignment for ASL.

[@Xyrox_FN]

yesssssssssssssss i know like sheesh

[@Jessica_Cat_Mama]

LOL

[@jasonepstein8746]

Nope, I’m here bc I’m self teaching myself and got to a point where I grew too curious

[@mac_loll]

Yep

[@CraySockBroski]

Actually it's for my lesson plan

[@albertnortononymous9020]

For anyone wondering, the reason the English became hesitant to teach their sign language was because this was a Protestant preacher and the deaf of the Church of England didn’t want to give him the ability to spread heresy to the American deaf.

[@aneiasl]

Happy 200th Birthday ASL :) *Handwave*

[@BACzero]

I grew up learning SEE (Signing Exact English), because that's what my deaf uncle was taught. It has similarities to ASL but is different enough I have a hard time following someone fluent in ASL. Would've liked to have seen how SEE fit into the mix. Neat video, though. :)

[@jmjhil]

SEE was a creation by English educators who wanted signing to match English for the sake of learning & using English as a primary language. Ideas like "am" and go-"ing" were given signs because that's how linear languages (like English) work. ASL is multi-dimensional, so NOW-STORE-I-GO is all that's needed for "I am going to the store now." Unfortunately, ideas like "butter + fly" (processed cream moving through the air) replaced "butterfly" (graceful winged creature) in official SEE signs.

[@Jessica_Cat_Mama]

Since this is a video about ASL, it would be best to also have someone signing the information as well., possibly a CDI. The information should be accessible to the Deaf population who use the language in the United States. This video looks like the main demographics are meant to be hearing individuals. Thank you.

[@VeryOriginal]

ever heard of captions

[@Jessica_Cat_Mama]

@@VeryOriginal Hello. Your response is one of ignorance. Take time to educate yourself. Captions work for Deaf individuals who can read them well. For others captions are not appropriate. For information that is about Deaf people, it should be in ASL for signers and captions for non-signing Deaf individuals. Do you know what a CDI is? I doubt it. I recommend taking the time to do a little research before posting an ignorant response.

[@VeryOriginal]

@@Jessica_Cat_Mama who?

[@VeryOriginal]

@@Jessica_Cat_Mama asked

[@Jessica_Cat_Mama]

@@VeryOriginal this response makes no sense. Who...asked... Please do everyone a favor and stop trolling.

[@KeyserTheRedBeard]

most excellent content Arika Okrent. I shattered the thumbs up on your video. Keep up the outstanding work.

[@ASL_Butterfly]

I am a fellow deaf person who uses ASL as my native language. Even still today, some parents hesitate to learn/teach their Deaf and HoH (Hard-of-Hearing) kids the sign language because it would simply delay their speech skills while they actually do not. I use both speech and ASL but used it separately. And ASL and English are equal languages just like any other languages, either spoken or in signs.

[@kelpklepto]

Alexander Graham Bell just had to go and ruin things, huh.

[@sambird7]

@@aocplusme5676 Inventing the phone was cool. That doesn't excuse him from wanting to teach the deaf in a way that is most convenient for the hearing. Also "Anglo Hero" makes you sound like a nazi, be careful m8

[@Furienna]

I guess that Bell did what seemed like a good idea at the time. It seems to me like wanted the deaf children to become as "normal" and integrated into mainstream society as possible. He had no idea that his methods would be deemed inefficient and even offensive years later.

[@magurotuna455]

@@Furienna he is dead now, can't talk bad about the dead, but....what an idiot.

[@JayTemple]

You mentioned that ASL is more similar to French SL than to British. I asked in my ASL class what Deaf French-Canadians speak, and I was told Québécois Sign Language. Is that also similar to the French?

[@kennethdehaan]

That's correct, also known as LSQ. As to, if it's similar to LSF (French), there may be some parallels but over time, language evolves so probably not so much today.

[@rzeka]

Heyyyy I live real close to Martha's Vineyard. I go there by boat a lot. It's a very nice place.

[@michelles.5701]

Noice drawings m8

[@mikeysensei865]

Wow. I didn't know this. 😁

[@Highfive3395]

Asl is awesome,

[@BobTheSchipperke]

PAW! 😊 (A good story of how it all started. Good job. )

[@maindepth8830]

Could I please have access to your sources, I need it for a university dessirtation

[@layne..keeran]

who else is here for Ms Wilson’s asl course

[@rachelfilar5454]

Is it possible to get this video in hardcopy? Thank you!

[@matthewmann8969]

So much easier to remember then its British Counter Parts

[@laurenjud]

Anyone here from Michigan Virtual?

[@PockASqueeno]

Are ASL and FSL mutually intelligible? Can a French and American deaf person communicate effectively?

[@beartraxb2797]

NO. They are completely different languages. There are a few similarities (ie. most of the alphabet is the same) and as you start to understand French and FLS (They sign FLS not FSL), you can start to see where the origins of many of our signs came from.

[@kimiakk9831]

Can I use this pictures on my powerpoint?

[@laurenjud]

Sure, go ahead! thanks for watching, hope you learned something!

[@WardancerHB]

Stupid question...but is the study of sign languages part of official linguistics curriculum?

[@kennethdehaan]

Assuming you're referring to the K-12 system. No, but more states are starting to recognize the legitimacy of ASL as a world language and therefore accepting the study of ASL for credit within the K-12 system. This is by a student's choice, just as they may choose between Spanish, French, ASL, etc.

[@Denise-sy1ge]

Depends on your university linguistic department's choices, but often the answer is yes. The study of sign languages has an accepted place within the field of linguistics.

[@BudderB0y2222]

It's an elective at my school

[@lalohuante6454]

No mention of Plains Indian Sign Language and their contribution to ASL?

[@Mohammed30001]

Please i want the sources

[@drunklandlord]

Feels rude that this video is not interpreted into asl

[@allisonbee]

+commonform There are closed captions

[@allisonbee]

+commonform but i see your point

[@DCFunBud]

They don't need to know.

[@kennethdehaan]

That's akin to saying, you don't need to know your own history. Kind of a ignorant comment.

[@BudderB0y2222]

Why can't they just read the closed captions?

[@parevzsathoo2039]

Very good

[@user-sm5nv7pc6g]

I like kids

[@jessicraigaquaticsandexoti6664]

Wow that's awful they didn't allow kids to use asl