HOW SIGN LANGUAGE EMERGE IN AMERICA

How deaf people were treated
in America prior to 1815

Untitled Slide

• They were neglected by others
• Denied the chance to learn
• They were called/often labeled dummies

WHO WAS THOMAS GALLAUDET

Thomas Gallaudet was the first hearing teacher in America. He was the one who went on a search to find and bring back teachings for the deaf.

THOMAS AND ALICE FIRST MEETING

One day Thomas Gallaudet looked out side a window, and saw Alice Cogswell's. Alice was playing by her self. Thomas asked his brother who she was and why she was alone. He answered him "she deaf". Thomas then went out and tried to communicate with her.

Thomas drew in the dirt a simple word like "hat" then pointed to the object. Alice didn't understand at first but picked up quick, and then pointed at other peoples hat showing Thomas that she understood.

THOMAS GALLAUDET MEETS DR. MASON COGSWELL

Alice's dad Dr. Mason Cogswell herd word of Thomas being able to communicate with Alice. He meet with Thomas to find out how, He then asked Thomas to take a journey to find a way to teach Alice how to communicate with others.

GALLUADET SAILS TO ENGLAND

Gallaudet takes Dr. Mason Cogswell up on his offer and sails off to England. When he arrives he finds a deaf school. This school does not alway for them to sing, and when Gallaudet asked if he could observe their teachings. They said he would have to pay. He was not happy about this, and left the school.

GALLAUDET TRAVELS TO FRANCE

Gallaudet then goes to francs where he goes to a press conference and meets a owner of a small deaf school in France and their best teacher Clerc.

Gallaudet liked the why they thought their deaf student, and asked if Clerc could come back to America with him to start a school for the deaf.

BACK TO AMERICA

In 1817 they opened the first school for the deaf in America. Alice was the first student along with 6 others. There they taught FSL to there students.

ASD TODAY

Now they teach ASL. This is because people consider French and English different languages, so they believed that America should have their own form of ASL

THE END