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The Coming of Age of American Sign Language
Author(s) -
Stewart David A.,
Akamatsu C. Tane
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
anthropology and education quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.531
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1548-1492
pISSN - 0161-7761
DOI - 10.1525/aeq.1988.19.3.05x1559y
Subject(s) - american sign language , sign language , sign (mathematics) , sociolinguistics of sign languages , legislation , sociology , psychology , linguistics , social science , manually coded language , political science , law , mathematical analysis , philosophy , mathematics
This article examines the social rejection and acceptance of American Sign Language (ASL) since its introduction into schools for the deaf in 1817. Attitudes toward ASL are reviewed and it is seen that by the 1900s the proponents of an oral education for deaf children had the strongest objections to ASL. However, research, legislation, and a change in educational methods have helped ASL to gain society's recognition since 1960. It is concluded that the evolutionary processes of communication are the strongest forces binding ASL to the deaf community.