A Guide To Who Created Sign Language

For those curious minds that want to know who created sign language, you need to know its history first. The history of sign language is littered with shocking events. There was a time when deaf people were not only oppressed they were even denied their basic rights. Standing at this juncture, the first person to make a claim about the deaf people was Aristotle. He theorized that people are only able to learn by hearing spoken words.

Nowadays, wherever the communities of deaf people exist, sign languages develop. Today, hundreds of sign languages are in use around the world and some sign languages have even obtained legal recognition. In fact, it must be remembered that the changes that have occurred throughout the history of sign language makes sign language and the lives of deaf people what they are today.

An Italian physician, Geronimo Cardano recognized that to learn there is no need to hear properly. Counteracting Aristotle's view he confirmed that by using the written word, deaf people could be educated. In Spain, Pedro Leon also followed the same technique for educating deaf children. Later inspired by the Pedro Ponce's success, Juan Pablo de Bonet started imparting education to the deaf students. Bonnet's manual alphabet that showed different speech sounds was later termed as the manual alphabet system in the history of sign language.

In 1750's, Abbe Charles Leepe organized the first social and religious association for the deaf. Children flocked to attend this school and after gaining education, those children were found signing at home and creating a sort of home sign language with their family members. Witnessing such positive results, Abbe started establishing more schools for the deaf and the children were found bringing this standard language home to their communities. This standard language became the first standard sign language in deaf history, which is now known as the old French sign language.

In 1817, the American Asylum for deaf mutes better known as American School for the deaf was established in Hartford, Connecticut. This was considered as the first public school for the deaf in America. Just like Abbe de Leepe's school in Paris, deaf people from all over the U.S traveled to attend the school, started learning the signs. From these signs and the signs from French sign language, American Sign Language was created. Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet was the initiator of sign language in America.

Later, William Stokoe published his claim that proved American Sign Language is the real language. Since then American Sign Language seems to be considered as an important sign language, putting an end to the monumental debate of 'who created sign language'.

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