History of Sign Language
History Of Sign Language in the United States
Thomas Gallaudet, a hearing person from America with the help of Laurent Clerc, a Deaf teacher from Paris started the first School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817. Laurent Clerc brought a method of teaching sign language from the National Royal Institution for the Deaf in Paris that was already very effective. So, our Sign Language in the United States is based on French Signing. (Sign Language is not universal. Each country has its own sign language.) Graduates from the school in Connecticut left and went on to open schools like it in other states. Most of these schools were residential schools. Children were there full-time to be immersed in sign language and the culture of the Deaf Community.
In 1864 the first university for the Deaf was established. It is now called Gallaudet University, in Washington, DC. (The website for this university is www.gallaudet.edu). President Lincoln signed the charter to establish this university.
In 1880, in Milan, Italy the International Congress on Education chose to adopt a resolution not allowing the use of Sign Language for Deaf Children. The “oral method” of teaching children caught on and speech and lip-reading became the main goal instead of signing. It is sad. Deaf people were no longer encouraged to become teachers and Sign Language was not allowed in classrooms anymore. The National Association of the Deaf was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio that same year, 1880. This brought Deaf people together from all over the country to work on common interests and fight discrimination. There was a fear that American Sign Language would be lost.
Through the years 1900-1960, people were not very accepting of the Deaf or Sign Language. The Deaf were denied even the ability to drive. What helped keep American Sign Language alive was the Deaf Clubs that were started. Local clubs provided a place where the Deaf could socialize and share ideas, news, and political issues and eventually create and watch captioned films!
The 1960s were a time of great change for the Deaf Community. A Deaf man invented the Teletypewriter (TTY) for the Deaf in 1964. Also, the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf began that year. The first linguistic study of American Sign Language (ASL) by William Stokoe at Gallaudet University was published in 1965. The educational philosophy of “Total Communication” began to have more acceptance. This meant that people could use the oral program and sign language. Whatever is necessary for a person to communicate.
In 1966 The NAD fought for the right of a Deaf couple to adopt a hearing child. The judge said that the child would not have a normal home. There was a huge outpouring of support from the Deaf community from all over the United States and the couple was awarded custody of that child.
In the 1970s telecaption decoders were invented and so T.V. also became available for the Deaf. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (the Civil Rights Act for disabled people) was signed and made a law in 1976. This law requires that any institution receiving federal funds be accessible to all disabled people. Sign Language interpreting services began to be provided at many colleges around the country, as well as in hospitals, courtrooms, government agencies, and in the workplace![/vc_column_text]
When did American Sign Language (ASL) begin?
ASL has been around as long as there have been Deaf people. The standards for ASL began to take form in 1817 when Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc created the first official school for the Deaf in the United States. American Sign Language along with the standards they set were then spread throughout the United States and Canada.
It is very common for parents in the Deaf Community to send their children to residential schools. This passes along the standards that have been set for ASL and their Deaf heritage.
Learn more about the regional differences in ASL.
You might also like our article on Learn Sign Language Online
Next ASL Kids resources
After reading about sign language history, move into practical ASL learning with beginner-friendly resources for families, kids, and classrooms.
- Start Learning ASL for a clear first-week path.
- ASL Alphabet for Kids for fingerspelling and letter handshapes.
- ASL Kids dictionary for beginner signs by topic.
- ASL Kids app for short visual practice.
- Learn Sign Language Online for app, dictionary, free lessons, and course options.
Quick FAQ: history of sign language
When did American Sign Language begin?
ASL developed over time from several influences, including signs already used in American Deaf communities, French Sign Language brought by Laurent Clerc, and the growth of Deaf education after the American School for the Deaf opened in Hartford in 1817.
Who were Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc?
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was a hearing educator from the United States, and Laurent Clerc was a Deaf teacher from France. Together, they helped establish the American School for the Deaf in 1817, a major milestone in ASL history.
Is ASL based on English?
No. ASL is a complete visual language with its own grammar. It is not simply English shown on the hands.
Is ASL the same everywhere?
No. Like spoken languages, ASL has regional, cultural, generational, and community variation. Signers may use different signs or signing styles depending on where and how they learned ASL.
Why does ASL history matter for kids?
Learning ASL history helps children and families see ASL as a real language connected to Deaf culture, education, community, and identity.
