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Today is #NationalASLDay
A THREAD consisting of American Sign Language history, facts, and myth busters:
A THREAD consisting of American Sign Language history, facts, and myth busters:
Why April 15? On this day in 1817, the first school for the Deaf in the United States opened.
To this day, The American School for the Deaf in Connecticut still runs.
To this day, The American School for the Deaf in Connecticut still runs.
The children intermingled Native American Signs, French Sign Language, Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language, and home sign systems.
This process brought fourth modern American Sign Language (ASL).
This process brought fourth modern American Sign Language (ASL).
ASL was invented by Deaf people (not hearing people).
The language developed naturally in Deaf communities.
The language developed naturally in Deaf communities.
YES, ASL HAS ACCENTS!!!!
It depends on age groups, ethnic groups, and regions.
It depends on age groups, ethnic groups, and regions.
ASL is NOT universal. We have over 200 different sign languages.
Before you wish sign language is universal, do you even speak Esperanto?
Before you wish sign language is universal, do you even speak Esperanto?
And yes, British Sign Language is completely different from ASL, despite the fact that English is the spoken language of both countries.
Sign language is not ONLY through hands.
Facial expressions and body movements ARE VITAL.
Without them, we can’t understand.
Facial expressions and body movements ARE VITAL.
Without them, we can’t understand.
Sign language is a VERBAL language.
Verbal does not mean it has to be spoken.
Verbal does not mean it has to be spoken.
Sign language is NOT based on English.
Sign languages have its own linguistic structure. Signs are not always expressed in the same order as words are in English. This is due to the unique grammar and visual nature of the language.
Sign languages have its own linguistic structure. Signs are not always expressed in the same order as words are in English. This is due to the unique grammar and visual nature of the language.
EXAMPLE:
For example, raising your eyebrows may indicate you’re asking a yes or no question while furrowing them means you’re asking a who, what, where, when, why question.
For example, raising your eyebrows may indicate you’re asking a yes or no question while furrowing them means you’re asking a who, what, where, when, why question.
Sign language relies on the same area of the brain as verbal speech
(i dont know why many keep saying otherwise)
(i dont know why many keep saying otherwise)
THE BRAIN CANT TELL THE DIFFERENCE:
Studies show that processing ASL activates the same linguistic regions of the left brain as spoken languages.
That is, the brain cannot tell the difference between hands and lips.
Meaning— speech is not central to language
Studies show that processing ASL activates the same linguistic regions of the left brain as spoken languages.
That is, the brain cannot tell the difference between hands and lips.
Meaning— speech is not central to language
If Deaf children are taught ASL, they wont learn to speak IS A MYTH.
Research has shown that knowing ASL enhances the ability to learn to speak English.
It gives deaf children a linguistic base from which they can learn spoken language as a second language.
Research has shown that knowing ASL enhances the ability to learn to speak English.
It gives deaf children a linguistic base from which they can learn spoken language as a second language.
(a combination the signs for letters I, L, and Y)
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