Why Did AG Bell Want to Eliminate ASL?
Back in 1880 in Milan, Italy, over 90% of the convention attendees (all hearing) decided to start promoting the Oral method for Deaf babies and children more aggressively all over the world.
What bothered me was that why not just add oral training to the already established (sign)language philosophy of Deaf education rather than throw it all away? Completely eliminate natural sign language from all the Deaf babies and children in school?
Just why did the world think that it was alright for oralists at Milan to perpetuate linguicism against the Deaf people’s natural sign languages all over the world?
Was it because the oralists and other people assumed that Deaf people did not have the self-dignity to be concerned about it? Why did Alexander Graham Bell enthusiastically push the resolutions of the Milan, Conference in America?
I am not against speech but WHY eliminate or oppress American Sign Language? It’s the language that enabled me as a Deaf person to finally be able to achieve being a normal person at the age of 19 after being able to interact with another human beings.
I just did not realize the value of American Sign Language until I learned how to use it to interact with others and I understand why those who don’t know ASL are actually very ignorant and have a biased attitude against it, because I was once the ignorant one.
Now back to the question, Why did AGBell try to eliminate ASL? Why not promote bilingualism?
Enough is Enough!
John Egbert
Yes,
enough is enough! A lot of hearing people support ASL for deaf babies and I wish I could have an interview with them all to show on Deafread.
Comment by deb ann — March 18, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
1880 Milan should have added oral to Deaf’s language, ASL, not kill it.
We should have Class Action Lawsuit that they genocide Deaf people’s natural language for over 100 years.
Chris
Comment by Chris — March 18, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Yes!
Many young people (oral/AVT) struggle with identity. Sadly, some of them are recipients of mental health counselling program. Some are lucky to adapt and some are not. Many of them have stayed with their parents after they finished school or even post secondary program. Many of them have depended on their parents for almost everything.
I personally saw that. People (pro AVT supporters) tend not to see the other side. They only believe in their own AVT fanatics regardless of any consequence!
I am very disappointed with their attitudes for promoting radical approach by removing ASL from Deaf children.
I feel so sick.
Deafchip
Comment by Deafchipmunk — March 18, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
oh Boy, too bad AG Bell died years ago.. wish he live and we will fight and prove ASL is true language. Yes, AB Bell just using his wife as look good! and make deaf people look fool! We can’t do that! We need to show them and prove we can do better and make sure ASL is unquie language!
Comment by Terrible — June 25, 2008 @ 2:40 pm