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On The Natural Language of Signs; And Its Value And Uses In The Instruction Of The Deaf And Dumb, Part 2

From: On The Natural Language of Signs; And Its Value And Uses In The Instruction Of The Deaf And Dumb
Creator: Thomas Gallaudet (author)
Date: January 1848
Publication: American Annals of the Deaf
Source: Available at selected libraries


Introduction

In the second part of his views on the natural language of signs, Gallaudet goes into greater detail on the importance of using sign language in deaf education. He also asserts that sign language was in some essential ways superior to spoken language. After the Civil War, Gaulladet’s approach to deaf education would increasingly come under attck, and the trend toward oralism would culminate in efforts to eliminate all vestiges of sign language in educational institutions for the deaf.


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ON THE NATURAL LANGUAGE OF SIGNS; AND ITS VALUE AND USES IN THE INSTRUCTION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB

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By Rev. T.H. Gallaudet

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Former Principal of the American Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb.

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-CONCLUDED.-

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We have considered, in the preceding number, the origin, universality, and some of the advantages of the natural language of signs originally employed by the deaf and dumb, expanded and improved by themselves and their teachers, and used, more or less, in their social intercourse at the institutions assembled, and in the process of their education. The extent to which these natural signs should be encouraged and made use of in this process is a question about which there exists considerable diversity of views, especially in the various schools, and among teachers whose talents and experience entitle their respective opinions to much weight.

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My object is not to discuss the question of extent, (though I may touch upon it as I go along,) but to show the intrinsic value and indeed indispensable necessity of the use of natural signs in the education of the deaf and dumb, -- to a great degree in the earlier stages of their education, and in some degree, through the whole course of it. In attempting this, I wish I had time to go somewhat at length, into the genius of this natural language of signs; to compare it with merely oral language; and to show, as I think I could, its decided superiority over the latter, so far as respects its peculiar adaptation to the mind of childhood and early youth, when objects addressed to the senses, and especially the sight, have such sway over this mind, -- when the expressions of the human countenance, with the general air and manners, attitudes and movements, of the body are so closely scrutinized by the young observer, while he receives from these sources some of the deepest and most lasting impressions that are ever made on his intellect and heart, -- when his first understanding of the meaning of words, singly or in short colloquial phrases, which he hears uttered, depends so much on the unfolding of this meaning by objects, or combinations of objects and circumstances, addressed solely to his eye. The natural language of signs is abundantly capable of either portraying or recalling these objects and circumstances. The life, picture-like delineation, pantomime spirit, variety, and grace with which this may be done, with the transparent beaming forth of the soul of him who communicates, through the eye, the countenance, the attitudes, movements and gestures of the body, to the youthful mind that receives the communication, constitute a visual language which has a charm for such a mind, and a perspicuity, too, for such a purpose, that merely oral language does not possess.

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It is greatly to be regretted that much more of this visual language does not accompany the oral, in the domestic circle, and, indeed, in all our social intercourse. Our public speakers often show the want of it, in their unimpassioned looks, frigid, monotonous attitude, and quiescent limbs, even when they are uttering the most eloquent and soul-stirring thoughts. Would they but look out and act out these thoughts, as well as speak them, how much greater power their eloquence would have. Why has the Creator furnished us with such an elaborate and wonderful apparatus of nerves and muscles, to subserve the purposes of this visual language; with such an eye and countenance, as variable in their expressions as are all the internal workings of the soul and graphically indicative of them; and with such a versatility of attitude and gesture susceptible of being "known and read of all men," -- thus to supply the deficiencies of our oral intercourse, and to perfect the communion of one soul with another, if we are to make no more use of these things than if we were so many colorless and motionless statues! If this visual language were vastly more cultivated than it is, and employed in the early training of children and youth in our families, schools, and other seminaries of learning, we should find its happy results in all the processes of education, on all occasions where the persuasions of eloquence are employed, and in the higher zest which would be given to the enjoyments of social life. As a people, especially in New England, we ought to be sensible of our deficiency in this respect and labor to remove it. We have latent enthusiasm enough to do this, but we have so long kept it under restraint, as if we were too fearful, or too cautious, to look, move and act as we think and feel, that we need strong convictions of the judgment and a course of persevering effort, to break up the inveteracy of the habit. Let us begin in our intercourse with children and youth, and lead them, by our example, to have the soul speak out freely in their looks and movements, and more than half the work will be done.

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Most happily for the deaf and dumb, the God of nature has laid a necessity upon them to employ, as soon as they have wants and desires to express, this visual language, and to enlarge and improve it as their wants and desires expand. It is an unwise attempt, which some have made, to endeavor to check their propensity to do this in their childhood, if, indeed, it is possible to check it. It is cruel to try to take from them this spontaneous and ready means of intelligible intercourse to a great extent with those around them, of the development of their intellectual and moral faculties -- and of the pleasure which they feel in the constant exercise of their inventive powers, and from the consciousness of being able to overcome, in no small degree, the difficulties of their peculiar condition, and to help raise themselves to the dignity and delight of social existence. I would as soon think of tying the wings of the young lark that is making its first aspiring essays to fly upward and soar in the ethereal expanse.

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