language, culture and biology

language

biology

culture

significance

previously, ASL was thought of as simply "gestures" or "pictures in the air"

now, we know ASL has a grammatical structure

the idea of what language refers to has evolved significantly

acquiring signed languages advances language acquisition the same way a signed language would

sign-exposed deaf babies produce manual babbling - similar to vocal babbling

spoken and signed languages are acquired by babies in similar ways

Deaf culture has stories, films, magazines, newspapers, jokes, art, poetry, theater, etc

Deaf Gain and Deafhood are also a part of the culture

Deaf culture is real - it contains all aspects that other cultures possess

biologically - spoken language is not "superior" to signed language

both spoken and hearing language activate the same receptors in the brain and develop brain tissue in a similar manner

signed languages are real languages, deaf culture is a "real" culture

William Stoke expanded the way we thought of language

ASL has structure, grammar, phonemes, syntax, etc

signed and spoken languages are acquired in similar ways

provide a sense of belonging, a sense of pride

produce meaningless syllabic structures - similar to hearing babies producing nonsensical words

raising kids with a bilingual-bimodal style improves their language acquisition and cognitive development, regardless if they are hearing or deaf

biological equivalence