American Sign Language History and Usage

American Sign Language (ASL) originated in 1814, inspired by Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet's desire to help a deaf mute girl, Alice Cogswell. Gallaudet traveled to Europe, met with Jean Messier, and learned about sign language. ASL was developed from a mix of French sign language and home signs. In 1817, Gallaudet returned to America with Laurent Clerc and opened a school for the deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, now known as the American School for the Deaf. Today, ASL is used by 250,000 to 500,000 people as their native language in the United States, Canada, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.

What inspired Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to explore sign language?

• A government project

• A trip to Europe

• A desire to help his deaf-mute neighbor

• A book he read about sign language

Which languages and signs influenced the development of ASL?

• British Sign Language and home signs

• French Sign Language and home signs

• Spanish Sign Language and gestures

• German Sign Language and written signs

Where was the first school for the deaf in America established?

• New York, New York

• Boston, Massachusetts

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Hartford, Connecticut

Approximately how many people claim ASL as their native language today?

• 50,000 to 100,000

• 100,000 to 200,000

• 250,000 to 500,000

• 500,000 to 1,000,000

In which regions is ASL predominantly used today?

• United States, Canada, West Africa, and Southeast Asia

• Eastern Europe, South Asia, and the Caribbean

• Europe, South America, and Australia

• Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia