Sign language has evolved over thousands of years. Its roots can be traced back to ancient times.
That's why we can't know for sure who invented sign language. Sign language emerged independently across various cultures and communities.
In Europe, the earliest records of sign language date back to the 16th century, with major developments in Spain and France.
American Sign Language started to evolve in the early 19th century.
It was formally established when Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc founded the first school for the Deaf in the US in 1817.
If you want to know about the history of sign language and the origins of ASL, this article will tell you everything you need to know.
Who Invented Sign Language?
It's impossible to say who invented sign language because its use dates back to ancient times.
It's believed that people started using hands to convey messages around the same time spoken languages were developed.
Evidence suggests that signed forms of communication existed in ancient civilizations, including Greece and Egypt.
According to this National Geographic article, monks sworn to silence used hand signs to communicate. However, this early form of sign language was primarily used religious orders.
In Western societies, the recorded history of sign language dates back to the 16th century.
The first teacher of the Deaf was considered to be Pedro Ponce de Leon.
He was a Spanish monk who developed methods to teach Deaf children in the 1500s. His teaching methods were a basis for how sign language is used all over the world.
Another important figure in the history of sign language was Abbé Charles-Michel de L'Epée.
This French Catholic priest was responsible for creating the first school for the Deaf in the 18th century.
This public school in Paris was the birthplace of Old French Sign Language.
It didn't only influence the development of sign languages in France, but in other countries as well. This includes its influence on American Sign Language.
However, each country developed its own variety of sign language during this time. That's why sign language is not universal.
When Was ASL Created?
The early origins of American Sign Language are a blend of Native American and imported sign languages.
Certain Native American tribes communicated among themselves through hand signs.
But the recorded history of ASL can be traced back to the 1700s. More and more Deaf communities started to emerge in different parts of the US during this time.
One of the more prominent ones was Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.
Each of these communities developed its own variety of sign language. For instance, Martha's Vineyard's Deaf residents used the so-called Martha's Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL).
But this was still far from a unified American Sign Language (ASL).
Many people believe that ASL was derived from British Sign Language (BSL). But the truth is that it was inspired by the French Sign Language, also known as LSF.
The two people who passed on this French influence were Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet.
Laurent Clerc was a Deaf teacher from France, also known as "The Apostle of the Deaf in America." He was considered the most renowned Deaf person in American Deaf History.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was an American educator who traveled to Europe to learn Deaf teaching methods.
Together, they founded the first school for the Deaf in 1817 in Connecticut.
The school Gallaudet and Clerc founded was called the American School for the Deaf (ASD). It is known as the birthplace of American Sign Language.
Further Development of ASL
As ASL began to develop in the early 19th century, it spread beyond the American School for the Deaf.
Deaf schools in other parts of the US adopted ASL. This movement helped standardize ASL and broaden its use.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ASL had become the primary language of deaf communities across the US.
It became distinct from other forms of sign language, like British Sign Language (BSL).
A pivotal moment for ASL was the charter signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
This bill authorized the establishment of a college for deaf and blind students. This college became known as Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
The university provided a space where Deaf students and educators could communicate in ASL without restrictions. It promoted a sense of community, pride, and linguistic identity among Deaf people.
Other institutions opened to promote the use and recognition of ASL included:
- The Southwest College for The Deaf in Texas
- The National Technical Institute for The Deaf in New York
- The National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
- The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
- The California School for the Deaf (CSD)
Another major milestone was the first American Sign Language dictionary. It was published in 1965 by linguist William Stokoe.
The publication of this dictionary was so important because it reinforced the idea that ASL is a real language.
This dictionary included ASL grammar, syntax, and sentence structure.
Modern ASL
Today, ASL is a robust, distinct language used by the Deaf community across the US.
The modern development of American Sign Language (ASL) has been shaped by:
- Advances in technology
- Increased academic research
- Media representation
- Changing attitudes toward Deaf culture and bilingual education
ASL continues to grow, with increased recognition and acceptance, helping to unify those who use it.
Since William Stokoe, many linguists have studied ASL and other sign languages. They have helped uncover new ASL grammatical structures and regional dialects.
This research has led to a broader acceptance of ASL as a complete language. It has also provided insights into how languages evolve in Deaf communities.
There have also been several laws that promote the recognition of American Sign Language in the US.
This includes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. This law has increased the demand for ASL interpreters. It has also promoted the use of ASL in:
- Public spaces
- Hospitals
- Courtrooms
- Educational settings
Modern ASL has also been developed through different learning tools. This includes online resources, like ASL apps, social media, and platforms.
Today, ASL is widely accepted as a legitimate language in academic, legal, and public settings.
The Importance of Understanding the Origins of ASL
If you want to learn ASL, it's important to know how it was created.
ASL is not just a series of signs. It's a language rooted in the Deaf community's rich history, struggles, and resilience.
Understanding ASL origins helps learners appreciate its unique grammar, structure, and cultural significance.
If you want to learn ASL, but you're not sure where to start, we can help you out.
We present to you a fun and easy way to learn ASL with ASL Bloom.
ASL Bloom is a free sign language app that offers daily ASL lessons.
With ASL Bloom, you can:
- Learn the basics of ASL for free
- Learn at your own pace anywhere you want
- Collect daily streaks for each completed lesson
- Have fun when learning with quizzes and interactive exercises
- Practice every day and set personal goals
You can download ASL Bloom right now.
It's available on Google Play on Android devices and the App Store on iPhones.
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