American Sign Language as a Foreign Language Course

American Sign Language as a Foreign Language Course for High School and Colleges in Washington Linguistics 200 Class Friday, July 11 th, 2008 Lance Forshay, Presenters Please do not copy, distribute, revise, photocopy or even sell. But you may download and keep for your own personal notes.

Introduction n Interpreter’s role. n My background.

Agenda n Nature of ASL and relevant questions. n ASL at an international scope. n ASL at University of Washington. n American Deaf Culture.

What is American Sign Language? n Discussion n Public assumptions about ASL?

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… A Visual-Getural Language? Yes. ASL contains 60% Gestural-Body Language and Facial Expressions. BUT… ASL is different from common gestures hearing people use. Ex. Basketball, Car, Happy.

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… A fully developed language? Yes. ASL contains all linguistic characteristics that make ASL a language different and independent from English language. What are the linguistic parts that build up a language?

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… 1. Phonology 2. Morphology 3. Syntax 4. Semantics 5. Pragmatics 6. More? . . . ASL Phonology? Sign Parameters: 1. Handshapes 2. Movement 3. Location 4. Palm-Orient. 5. Non-Manual Signals

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… A language with a cultural component? Yes. Read about this issue on www. waaslta. org ASL is the key to the heart of Deaf culture. You have to understand Deaf culture to master ASL at higher level.

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… A broken English? No. ASL is just a different language with different grammar order and structure. Can you say that French and Spanish have broken or poor English?

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… A language you can use to communicate complicated topics with philosophical ideas, politics, sports, education, science, comedy, express in drama and storytelling or anything else like you do with English? Yes!… with no limitations.

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… A written language? No. Even though we have research project called “Sign Writing” known only to few, we still do not have an official written ASL yet. www. signwriting. com

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… A changing language? Yes. Like all languages, ASL does change over time and varies within regions (accents). Some old ASL signs disappear, simplify or assimilate with other word signs into new signs. (Compound and Contractions) Ex. REMEMBER = KNOW + CONTINUE

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… Universal? No. Almost every country has its own sign language just like spoken language. There at least 70 known sign languages.

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… Used in other countries? Yes. ASL is used by Deaf people in Canada and few other countries with historical background of deaf education established by American educators and church missionaries for the deaf such as Nigera, Kenya, Philippines, Belize and some parts of India. Ex. Andrew Foster

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… Used in British countries? No. ASL is totally different from British Sign Language used in the United Kingdom (Scotland, England, and Wales), Australia, and New Zealand.

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… Where did ASL come from? ASL is a blend of Martha’s Vineyard Signs, mainland “Old ASL” and LSF when Laurent Clerc came to start first American School for the Deaf with Thomas Gallaudet.

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… Legally accepted as a world language credit? Yes. Washington State Law passed in July 1984 to recognize ASL as a language and that it may be used foreign language credit in secondary and post-secondary level education. (WAC 180 -51 -025 for secondary and postsecondary. ) For more information on other state legislations on ASL. http: //www. aslta. org/legislation/index. html

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… Offered at major universities and colleges? Yes, ASL is becoming very popular in higher education. http: //web. mac. com/swilcox/UNM/univlist. html Now, ASL has the fourth largest enrollment. 1990: 1, 602 1995: 4, 304 1998: 11, 420 2002: 60, 781 2006: 78, 829 (Italian: 78, 368 = 461 less) Modern Languages Association, 2006.

The Nature of ASL Is ASL… Is ASL recognized by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)? Yes. See their website, www. actfl. org ASL is also recognized by the Modern Languages Association (MLA), Salks Research Institute and many other reputable research organizations.

ASL as an International Scope. n While ASL is not universal, ASL is widely used in n n international conferences or gathering beside Gestuno. World Federation of the Deaf conference uses Gestuno but many people communicate in ASL. Deaflympics / Goodwill Games / Deaf Way. ASL is very popular with Deaf people in Japan. ASL has an huge impact on the linguistic community and research. Many principles of ASL grammar are being discussed in comparison to other language linguistics. Gallaudet University and its international reputation.

ASL at UW n First year ASL is offered at UW for the first time last year with over 350 students on wait list. (220+ for this fall’s wait list) n We also offer intensive first year ASL course for summer quarter, ASL 134. n We hope to receive a permanent funding from the state for our ASL program and to hire more ASL teachers to accommodate the high demand at UW.

American Deaf Culture n What is Deaf Culture? A group of Deaf people who uses American Sign Language, lives by a set of norms and values of the Deaf community, shares the Deaf heritage and traditions, and involves as a member of Deaf community. n “D”eaf versus deaf. n Matter of identity and belonging to Deaf community. n Not necessarily hereditary.

American Deaf Culture n Art / Theatre. n Folk-Tale and Legends. n Social rules, Norms, Values, Traditions, Worldviews. n Audism: “The notion that one is superior based on one’s ability to hear…” n UW, ASL 305: Introduction to Deaf Studies. Spring quarters.

Questions? Contact: Lance Forshay, M. S. ASL and Deaf Studies Lecturer And Program Coordinator Department of Linguistics lforshay@u. washington. edu