Martha's Vineyard Sign Language
September 14, 2012
In 1690, Martha's Vineyard, Mass., was settled by 200 immigrants, from Kent County, England, who carried genes for deafness. By the mid-1700s, a sign language was developed and used by both deaf and hearing islanders. Because almost all the inhabitants signed, town meetings were conducted in sign language. Deaf island children, who attended the American School for the Deaf, in Hartford, Conn., brought island signs with them, influencing the merging of Martha's Vineyard Sign Language into American Sign Language.
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Deaf Mosaic: A TV Milestone
September 13, 2012
In 1985, Gallaudet University Television Studios, in Washington, D.C., began airing the TV show “Deaf Mosaic.” Producers and hosts, Mary Lou Novitisky and Gil Eastman, won Emmy Awards for the program, which ended production in 1995. Today, technology has empowered all people to record and share their thoughts and feelings on video weblogs – “vlogs,” a visual medium ideal for recording today’s American Sign Language. In addition, the number of deaf film festivals has increased substantially and includes the Maine and Seattle Deaf Film Festivals.
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Sorenson Communications: Dedicated to the Preservation of Sign Language
September 11, 2012 Share this story with friends.
In this video, you can learn more about what Sorenson Communications is doing to preserve and further the use of ASL.
Preserving ASL and the Deaf Tradition of Storytelling
September 11, 2012 Share this story with friends.
The Sorenson Video Center offers educational and information videos, all presented in sign language. Deaf children can watch the Video Center program "Storytime," which presents classic fairytales in ASL.
Preserving ASL: Did You Know?
September 10, 2012 Share this story with friends.
This short video contains interesting historical information about the birth and evolution of ASL.
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