Recognizing and Validating American Sign Language
as a Legitimate Language
as a Legitimate Language
In Utah during the 1960s and 1970s, oralism and mainstreaming gained popularity, while American Sign Language (ASL) emerged as the primary language within the American Deaf community (Lucas & Valli, 1992; Stokoe, 1960). Research in linguistics has firmly shown that ASL is a legitimate language (Klima & Bellugi, 1979; Wilcox & Peyton, 1999). The linguists discovered that ASL had its own grammar, phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and pragmatics (Stokoe, 1960). It satisfies all universally recognized criteria for a human language.
In the 1950s, Dr. William C. Stokoe, a hearing professor of English at Gallaudet College and a linguistic researcher, was the first to question whether American Sign Language was a true language. While at Gallaudet, he became intrigued by the graceful signing used by students outside the classroom. This interest led him to study linguistics, focusing particularly on the language of students who had Deaf parents. Despite facing disapproval from Gallaudet and ridicule from both Deaf and hearing colleagues, he persevered in his research (Erting et al., 1989). In 1960, he published a groundbreaking paper called "Sign Language Structure," in which he said that ASL is a real language, just like any other spoken language. His work later demonstrated that ASL is a complex, three-dimensional language (Stokoe, Casterline, & Croneberg, 1965).
In the 1950s, Dr. William C. Stokoe, a hearing professor of English at Gallaudet College and a linguistic researcher, was the first to question whether American Sign Language was a true language. While at Gallaudet, he became intrigued by the graceful signing used by students outside the classroom. This interest led him to study linguistics, focusing particularly on the language of students who had Deaf parents. Despite facing disapproval from Gallaudet and ridicule from both Deaf and hearing colleagues, he persevered in his research (Erting et al., 1989). In 1960, he published a groundbreaking paper called "Sign Language Structure," in which he said that ASL is a real language, just like any other spoken language. His work later demonstrated that ASL is a complex, three-dimensional language (Stokoe, Casterline, & Croneberg, 1965).
Dr. William C. Stokoe Jr. Source: Wikipedia.org
Dr. Stokoe's efforts laid the foundation for a new wave of linguistic studies on sign languages, promoting respect for Deaf culture and communities. This work contributed to a growing appreciation for Deaf culture and the Deaf community, which eventually led to a movement to reintroduce ASL into educational settings (Erting et al., 1989).
Sign Language and The Deaf Community by William C. Stokoe
The recognition of American Sign Language (ASL) in Utah began with Dr. William "Bill" Vicars, a Deaf individual who played a pivotal role in its advancement. In November 1990, he attended the Utah Intercollegiate Assembly at the University of Utah, marking a significant moment for the Deaf community. Dr. Vicars was also the first Deaf person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Weber State University (WSU), utilizing ASL as his second language throughout his studies. Additionally, he and his wife, Belinda, founded the Sign Language Studio, where they dedicated themselves to teaching ASL to others (Rees, UAD Bulletin, March 1993, p. 6).
Representatives from colleges across Utah proposed over 60 resolutions during the assembly. Dr. Vicars put forward a resolution stating that ASL should be accepted to fulfill the Bachelor of Arts degree requirement for a foreign language and meet the language requirements for graduate school entrance at all of Utah's public institutions of higher education. This ASL resolution received top priority. Dr. Vicars was actively seeking a state legislator to sponsor the ASL resolution (UAD Bulletin, December 1990).
Representatives from colleges across Utah proposed over 60 resolutions during the assembly. Dr. Vicars put forward a resolution stating that ASL should be accepted to fulfill the Bachelor of Arts degree requirement for a foreign language and meet the language requirements for graduate school entrance at all of Utah's public institutions of higher education. This ASL resolution received top priority. Dr. Vicars was actively seeking a state legislator to sponsor the ASL resolution (UAD Bulletin, December 1990).
Dr. William "Bill" Vicars. Source: lifeprint.com
However, there was opposition from WSU, Dr. Vicars' alma mater. Dr. Robert Belka, the head of the foreign language department at Weber State University, opposed this resolution both in 1990 and earlier. During Dr. Vicars' undergraduate years, he attempted to add ASL to WSU's list of accredited foreign languages while serving as the senator for students with physical disabilities. Dr. Belka argued against this inclusion, stating, "ASL is not recognized as a foreign language because it does not meet the four criteria inherent to a language: being able to hear it, read it, write it, and speak it." He believed that sound was "probably the most important" aspect of language, asserting, "If you take sound away from a symphony, you have nothing. Take away sound, and where's the beauty of language?" (UAD Bulletin, November 1990, p. 7).
Belinda "Bee" and William "Bill" Vicars. Source: Facebook
While Weber State University remained unwilling to recognize ASL as a foreign language, Brigham Young University (BYU) accepted it as an elective starting in the Fall of 1991, which satisfied the general education language requirement. Interestingly, ASL had already been a language course at BYU for over 10 years. Jack Rose, the coordinator of ASL at BYU, commented, "There was never a sufficient avenue for ASL to get serious consideration. We recommended it for many years, but until last year, it hadn't been proposed the way it should have been." Alan Keele, associate dean of Honors and General Education, noted that misunderstandings about ASL contributed to delays in its acceptance. He explained that many believed sign language did not qualify as a foreign language because it was not spoken. [However, what we recognized was] what constitutes a language is in the way you use it" (UAD Bulletin, March 1991, p. 2).
Jack Rose. Source: Instagram
In October 1991, the foreign language department at Weber State University officially accepted ASL as equivalent to a foreign language. However, Dr. Belka imposed two conditions for granting special foreign language credit to Deaf students who requested it. According to Dr. Belka, the conditions were that "the student must verify a 30% hearing loss in both ears or a 100% loss in one" through a certified audiologist and receive verification from an official agency that they are proficient in ASL at the intermediate level for survival skills (UAD Bulletin, October 1991, p. 6).
Dr. Vicars was not satisfied with having only two universities in Utah that accepted ASL for foreign language credit. He decided to contact Utah Governor Norman H. Bangerter to seek support in persuading all Utah institutions of higher education to accept ASL. Governor Bangerter informed Dr. Vicars that the Deputy Commissioner for Higher Education would revisit the discussion about granting credit for ASL as a foreign language later that fall (UAD Bulletin, October 1991, p. 6).
Dr. Vicars was not satisfied with having only two universities in Utah that accepted ASL for foreign language credit. He decided to contact Utah Governor Norman H. Bangerter to seek support in persuading all Utah institutions of higher education to accept ASL. Governor Bangerter informed Dr. Vicars that the Deputy Commissioner for Higher Education would revisit the discussion about granting credit for ASL as a foreign language later that fall (UAD Bulletin, October 1991, p. 6).
Utah Governor Norman H. Bangerter. Source: wikipedia.org
With increasing support from the Utah Deaf community for linguistic research and advocacy, the Utah Senate passed Senate Bill 42 (53A-13-101.5) in 1994. This bill recognized American Sign Language (ASL) as a fully developed, autonomous natural language, complete with its own distinct grammar, syntax, and art forms. It ensured that ASL would receive equal status with other languages in all public institutions of higher education in the state (Utah State Legislature, 1994; Guerrero, UAD Bulletin, May 1994). Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt signed the bill into law on March 2, 1994 (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, April 1994).
Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt. Source: wikipedia.org
Kristi Lee Mortensen, a Utah native and Deaf advocate, stated that the passage of Senate Bill 42 was a direct result of the Legislative Task Force she served on, which was created in 1993 to study issues related to interpreter certification and the standards outlined in House Bill 167 (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, April 1994). The new ASL legislation sparked debate at Weber State University, with discussions and disagreements about its implications and potential impact on the university.
Kristi Lee Mortensen
Dr. Belka argued that the legislation did not change ASL's status at WSU. In contrast, Senator Brent C. Richards, who sponsored the bill, was surprised that any public educational institution would think the bill would leave them unaffected. "This bill will absolutely affect every institution of higher education in Utah," he emphasized (Guerrero, UAD Bulletin, May 1994, p. 3).
Dr. Vicars, an ASL instructor and activist at Weber State University, viewed the legislation as a significant victory for the Deaf community and ASL supporters in Utah. He remarked, "When the legislation passed, there was a feeling of vindication that what we had been saying all along was now being recognized—not just by linguists, but by members of the general community" (Guerrero, UAD Bulletin, May 1994, p. 3).
Dr. Belka opposed granting ASL the status of a foreign language because he believed that students learning ASL could not travel abroad to communicate with Deaf citizens of other countries, as each country has its own signed language. In contrast, students learning Spanish or German could easily converse with native speakers while traveling in those countries. This belief was at the core of Dr. Belka's disapproval of ASL (Guerrero, UAD Bulletin, May 1994, p. 3). In his view, the primary purpose of awarding foreign language credit was to encourage and facilitate communication among citizens of different countries. He felt that sign languages did not meet that criterion.
Despite some objections regarding the situation at Weber State University, ASL is now offered at several local postsecondary institutions in Utah. Deaf individuals are reclaiming ASL as their birthright, recognizing it as their natural language, which was denied to them in the school system for over a century. In January 2008, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) reaffirmed its position that acquiring language from birth is a fundamental human right. The NAD stated that Deaf infants and children should have the opportunity to acquire and develop proficiency in ASL as early as possible, as outlined in its 2008 Position Statement on American Sign Language.
Dr. Vicars, an ASL instructor and activist at Weber State University, viewed the legislation as a significant victory for the Deaf community and ASL supporters in Utah. He remarked, "When the legislation passed, there was a feeling of vindication that what we had been saying all along was now being recognized—not just by linguists, but by members of the general community" (Guerrero, UAD Bulletin, May 1994, p. 3).
Dr. Belka opposed granting ASL the status of a foreign language because he believed that students learning ASL could not travel abroad to communicate with Deaf citizens of other countries, as each country has its own signed language. In contrast, students learning Spanish or German could easily converse with native speakers while traveling in those countries. This belief was at the core of Dr. Belka's disapproval of ASL (Guerrero, UAD Bulletin, May 1994, p. 3). In his view, the primary purpose of awarding foreign language credit was to encourage and facilitate communication among citizens of different countries. He felt that sign languages did not meet that criterion.
Despite some objections regarding the situation at Weber State University, ASL is now offered at several local postsecondary institutions in Utah. Deaf individuals are reclaiming ASL as their birthright, recognizing it as their natural language, which was denied to them in the school system for over a century. In January 2008, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) reaffirmed its position that acquiring language from birth is a fundamental human right. The NAD stated that Deaf infants and children should have the opportunity to acquire and develop proficiency in ASL as early as possible, as outlined in its 2008 Position Statement on American Sign Language.
Did You Know?
Gene D. Stewart, a Child of Deaf Adults and former director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf, shared that after the movie "Children of a Lesser God," which featured several Deaf actors and actresses, including Marlee Matlin, premiered in theaters in 1986, enrollment in American Sign Language (ASL) classes at the University of Utah doubled. When he and Dr. Robert G. "Bob" Sanderson, a prominent Deaf leader, tried to persuade the Foreign Language Department at the University of Utah to accept ASL as a foreign language on par with German, French, and Spanish, they faced resistance. The department responded, "We will never, never, ever accept that monkey language at this university!"
A year later, Gene and Bob traveled to Washington, D.C., for training on how to advocate for universities to accept ASL as a foreign language. When they met with the new department head, Dr. Sanderson brought along an armful of books to demonstrate that ASL was indeed a valid language. To their surprise, the department head responded, "No! No! No need for that; we are ready to accept ASL in our department."
Today, the University of Utah continues to offer ASL classes for students wishing to fulfill their foreign language requirement (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2012). This progressive shift in policy not only highlights the importance of inclusivity in education but also reflects a growing recognition of diverse communication methods. As a result, the university has seen an increase in enrollment in ASL courses, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the Deaf community among students.
A year later, Gene and Bob traveled to Washington, D.C., for training on how to advocate for universities to accept ASL as a foreign language. When they met with the new department head, Dr. Sanderson brought along an armful of books to demonstrate that ASL was indeed a valid language. To their surprise, the department head responded, "No! No! No need for that; we are ready to accept ASL in our department."
Today, the University of Utah continues to offer ASL classes for students wishing to fulfill their foreign language requirement (Stewart, DSDHH Newsletter, April 2012). This progressive shift in policy not only highlights the importance of inclusivity in education but also reflects a growing recognition of diverse communication methods. As a result, the university has seen an increase in enrollment in ASL courses, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the Deaf community among students.
Gene D. Stewart
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Dr. Robert G. Sanderson
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References
“ASL As Foreign Language Requirement.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 15, no. 5 (October 1991): 6.
“ASL Credit at BYU.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 10 (March 1991): 1-2.
“ASL Top Priority in Assembly.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 7 (December 1990): 3.
Erting, Carol J, Johnson, Robert C., Smith, Dorothy L, & Snider, Bruce D. The Deaf Way: Perspectives from the International Conference on Deaf Culture: Papers. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press, 1989. http://books.google.com/books?id=bqJxAcmA9yEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Deaf+bilingual+education+in+Sweden+and+Denmark+in+1981&source=gbs_sum mary_r&cad=0#PPR26,M1
Guerrero, Sharon. “New ASL Legislation Spark Debate at WSU. UAD Bulletin, v. 17, no. 12 (May 1994): 3.
Klima, Edward & Bellugi, Ursula. (Eds.). The Signs of Language. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1979 (4th floor and on reserve, HV2474.K53).
Lucas, Ceil & Valli, Clayton. “Language Contact in the American Deaf Community.” New York: Academic Press, 1992.
Mortensen, Kristi. “Thank you, Utah Legislature.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 17, no. 11 (April 1994): 1.
Rees, Kelly. “Sign Up – The Sign Language Studio.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 17, no. 10 (March 1993): 6.
Stewart, Gene. “Robert G. Sanderson – “Sandie.” DSDHH Newsletter (April 2012): 2-3.
Stokoe, William C., Casterline, Dorothy C. & Croneberg, Carl G. A Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles. Silver Spring, MD: Linstok Press, 1965.
Stokoe, William C. Sign Language Structure: An Outline of the Visual Communication System of the American Deaf. Studies in Linguistics: Occasional Papers 8. Buffalo: University of Buffalo, 1960. Reprinted 1976, Silver Spring, MD: Linstock Press.
Wilcox, S. & Peyton, J.K. ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics. Washington DC, 1999.
“WSC Opposes ASL Credit.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 6 (November 1990): 7.
“ASL Credit at BYU.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 10 (March 1991): 1-2.
“ASL Top Priority in Assembly.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 7 (December 1990): 3.
Erting, Carol J, Johnson, Robert C., Smith, Dorothy L, & Snider, Bruce D. The Deaf Way: Perspectives from the International Conference on Deaf Culture: Papers. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press, 1989. http://books.google.com/books?id=bqJxAcmA9yEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Deaf+bilingual+education+in+Sweden+and+Denmark+in+1981&source=gbs_sum mary_r&cad=0#PPR26,M1
Guerrero, Sharon. “New ASL Legislation Spark Debate at WSU. UAD Bulletin, v. 17, no. 12 (May 1994): 3.
Klima, Edward & Bellugi, Ursula. (Eds.). The Signs of Language. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1979 (4th floor and on reserve, HV2474.K53).
Lucas, Ceil & Valli, Clayton. “Language Contact in the American Deaf Community.” New York: Academic Press, 1992.
Mortensen, Kristi. “Thank you, Utah Legislature.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 17, no. 11 (April 1994): 1.
Rees, Kelly. “Sign Up – The Sign Language Studio.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 17, no. 10 (March 1993): 6.
Stewart, Gene. “Robert G. Sanderson – “Sandie.” DSDHH Newsletter (April 2012): 2-3.
Stokoe, William C., Casterline, Dorothy C. & Croneberg, Carl G. A Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles. Silver Spring, MD: Linstok Press, 1965.
Stokoe, William C. Sign Language Structure: An Outline of the Visual Communication System of the American Deaf. Studies in Linguistics: Occasional Papers 8. Buffalo: University of Buffalo, 1960. Reprinted 1976, Silver Spring, MD: Linstock Press.
Wilcox, S. & Peyton, J.K. ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics. Washington DC, 1999.
“WSC Opposes ASL Credit.” UAD Bulletin, vol. 14, no. 6 (November 1990): 7.
