Some version of sign language has existed throughout the course of human civilization. However, it was not until the 17th century that the Western world saw a systematic study of the teaching and learning of sign language.
In 1620, a Spanish priest by the name of Juan Pablo Bonet published the first modern text to propose a method of educating deaf children through the use of manual signs. His Reducción de las letras y arte para enseñar a hablar a los mudos (Summary of the Letters and Art of Teaching Speech to the Mute) paved the way for another philanthropic educator, Abbé Charles-Michel de l’Epée, who in 1755 founded the first public school for the deaf. Known as the “Father of the Deaf” for his extensive work with sign language, Abbé de l’Epée gleaned much of his teachings from his observations of deaf people on the streets of Paris. Synthesizing this information with typical gestures and hand signs, he was able to publish a manual alphabet that was used, mostly unchanged, until the present.
Modern American Sign Language (ASL) is derived from the continental system created in the 18th century, but it also has its own unique history.
American minister Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was a prominent figure in the education of the deaf, traveling to France in 1815 to study methods of communication. In 1817, upon his return to the United States, Gallaudet founded the country’s first school for the deaf, in Hartford, Connecticut. By 1863, there were a total of 22 functioning schools throughout the nation, and by 1864, a college dedicated to the education of deaf people. Prior to that, in the 17th century, the United States was the birthplace of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language. That area of the country was home to a large deaf population; by 1854, the percentage of deaf people on the island was almost 35 times higher than the national average. For this reason, a specialized sign language had been worked out in the area before it had spread to other parts of the country.
Today, a number of organizations exist dedicated to the education and advancement of the deaf and mute, as well as institutions that increase awareness of and offer lessons in ASL. Why is this of importance to us?
People who have hearing loss can have difficulties navigating the hearing world. The everyday activities that some people take for granted—talking on the phone, sitting at a meeting, traveling, going to a movie can present difficulties for someone with hearing loss. That’s why equal access has become such an important issues for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in particular, situations that require understanding around complex issues like legal or medical advice.
According to the U.S. Health and Human Services department, “The landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA” or “the Act”), enacted on July 26, 1990, provides comprehensive civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of employment, public accommodations, State and local government services, and telecommunications.” This means that qualified individuals with disabilities should be accommodated in order to provide them access to U.S. services, programs.
Metaphrasis’ founder has two family members who grew up with hearing loss and saw firsthand how lack of access to interpreting services affected their lives. Metaphrasis is proud to offer ASL interpreting services because our team sees what a positive impact it has.
Are you in need of ASL interpreting for your organization? We can help! Let’s get in touch.