History of ASLHistory of ASL

Dr. CogswellDr. Cogswell

Had a Deaf daughter Had a Deaf daughter (Alice born in 1805 (Alice born in 1805 and died in 1830)and died in 1830)

Wanted to educate Wanted to educate herher

Met Thomas Met Thomas GallaudetGallaudet

Sent Thomas over to Sent Thomas over to France to learn a France to learn a method of teaching method of teaching the Deafthe Deaf

Thomas GallaudetThomas Gallaudet

Married Sophia (Deaf)Married Sophia (Deaf) Went to France to learn method of teaching Deaf in Went to France to learn method of teaching Deaf in

18161816 Met Laurent Clerc, a Deaf French manMet Laurent Clerc, a Deaf French man Had two sons that were involved in the Deaf Had two sons that were involved in the Deaf

communitycommunity– Edward Gallaudet- Established Gallaudet College in 1864Edward Gallaudet- Established Gallaudet College in 1864– Thomas Gallaudet- Established first Deaf Church Thomas Gallaudet- Established first Deaf Church

Taught Laurent EnglishTaught Laurent English Helped established the first Deaf school in1817 Helped established the first Deaf school in1817

which is now named American School for the Deaf in which is now named American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Conn.Hartford, Conn.

Died in 1831Died in 1831

Alice CogswellAlice Cogswell

Alice became the first Deaf student Alice became the first Deaf student in American School for the Deaf. in American School for the Deaf.

Statue of Thomas Gallaudet and Statue of Thomas Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell at Gallaudet Alice Cogswell at Gallaudet University Campus.University Campus.

Laurent ClercLaurent Clerc

Deaf French manDeaf French man Taught Thomas Gallaudet French signsTaught Thomas Gallaudet French signs Came to America with Thomas Gallaudet in Came to America with Thomas Gallaudet in

1816 to help educate Deaf children1816 to help educate Deaf children Helped established the first deaf school in Helped established the first deaf school in

1817 which is now named America School for 1817 which is now named America School for the Deaf in Hartford, Conn.the Deaf in Hartford, Conn.

First Deaf teacher in the U.S.First Deaf teacher in the U.S. Married Eliza in 1818 (first deaf/deaf Married Eliza in 1818 (first deaf/deaf

marriage)marriage)

Jean MassieuJean Massieu

A Deaf French teacherA Deaf French teacher He did not want to go to America He did not want to go to America

with Gallaudet.with Gallaudet. He stayed in France.He stayed in France.

MonksMonks

Abbe’ SicardAbbe’ Sicard Abbe’ De L EppeAbbe’ De L Eppe

Both were French monks who Both were French monks who helped Deaf children learn in helped Deaf children learn in school in France.school in France.

ASL

40% of French Sign Language 3rd 0r 4th widely used Language in the US Used by 500,000 people in US and Canada

American Sign American Sign LanguageLanguage Not a form of English.Not a form of English. Uses hand shapes, movements, Uses hand shapes, movements,

face expressions and gestures.face expressions and gestures. Has its own grammar structure.Has its own grammar structure.

FACTSFACTS

Deaf Culture has humor!Deaf Culture has humor! NOTNOT all Deaf people can read lips. all Deaf people can read lips. Some Deaf people reading and Some Deaf people reading and

writing skills at 5writing skills at 5thth grade level. grade level. NOT all countries have the same NOT all countries have the same

sign language.sign language. ASL has its own history, culture ASL has its own history, culture

and social values.and social values.

Deaf History TestDeaf History Test

Are you ready?Are you ready?