why ASL is called ASL?

Grummer said:
Mimsy, how do you know it's a National Language ? can you check it in your domestic websites, information?? im still really quite curious.
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Good point. I'll check.
 
:P Irish Sign Language Good idea! interesting!

I wonder anyone have Irish Sign language?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MraaQkhg0gk[/ame]
 
Just wondered.... is there CSL---Cat Sign Language for deaf cats? Or maybe DSL--Dog Sign Language for deaf dogs??? Had to ask!!!
 
Actually Quebec Sign is LSQ- Langue des signes québécoise just to clarify...
 
Grummer got me researching his question and I found that in most states, ASL is considered a "foreign language" and not a national language. He is correct. This is very interesting information.
 
Mimsy you won the prize...a Chocolate fish .. D>>}}}})o> but yep...
 
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The United States, Federal Government does not have an official language and states themselves may be bilingual. However, I do not think there is anywhere in the United States where you cannot get a document in English. In that sense, English is the language of the United States. This does not mean you can't have a document transcribed in another language However, I don't think you can get one that is not English.

Having said that, ASL is a natural, identified language like any other that may be translated into English as well for governmental purposes. This does not mean you must speak ASL nor does it mean ASL is the accepted language. The same is true for other languages here as well.
 
i thought as much too, like it is the way United States adminstrates itself...like 'foreign' is used as in a describing manner in terms of handling governmental documents and legal referencing purposes. However I still find it strange that "ASL" which is an abbreviation for 'AMERICAN Sign Langauge, noted the word American, it implies it comes from American, now this contradicts the use of the word foreign. In Addition, it also implies American Deaf people are less recognised as a Citizen, - I'm saying, it is like you're a 2nd class citizen, I must ask the question, is this acceptable? I find it hard to think so. (im not from US, but still in principle I find it a quite bizzare)
 
Grummer said:
i thought as much too, like it is the way United States adminstrates itself...like 'foreign' is used as in a describing manner in terms of handling governmental documents and legal referencing purposes. However I still find it strange that "ASL" which is an abbreviation for 'AMERICAN Sign Langauge, noted the word American, it implies it comes from American, now this contradicts the use of the word foreign. In Addition, it also implies American Deaf people are less recognised as a Citizen, - I'm saying, it is like you're a 2nd class citizen, I must ask the question, is this acceptable? I find it hard to think so. (im not from US, but still in principle I find it a quite bizzare)
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Not all schools classify ASL as a "foreign" language.
 
Reba said:
Not all schools classify ASL as a "foreign" language.
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Wait, it is depending on state law that allow ASL to be classified as foreign language, so for Alabama, ASL is classified as foreign language and can earn a credit that satisfied the degree requirement.
 
Foxrac said:
Wait, it is depending on state law that allow ASL to be classified as foreign language, so for Alabama, ASL is classified as foreign language and can earn a credit that satisfied the degree requirement.
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Sometimes ASL is accepted as a substitute for a foreign language requirement but it isn't a foreign language. Of course, some states may be confused about that.

At our college, ASL classes are not under the foreign language department. At the college where I got my interpreting degree, ASL was not in the foreign language department.
 
but it IS not a National language for American deaf, so why it is deemed as a Foriegn language, oh i suppose 'sometimes' it is not, but a language for the hearing disabled??
 
Grummer said:
but it IS not a National language for American deaf, so why it is deemed as a Foriegn language, oh i suppose 'sometimes' it is not, but a language for the hearing disabled??
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A language doesn't have to be used by 100% of a population or even officially recognized to be a national language. A national language is one that is used by the majority of a population within a country. The majority of the Deaf population within America uses ASL. The majority (not 100%) of the hearing population within America uses English.

ASL is called a foreign language only for purposes of meeting school language requirements.
 
like for NZSL Act in New Zealand, NZSL is used by fucckkk all of the population, like 20,000 of the 4,500,000 population...a far cry from being a majority, so from that angle it doesnt give the american government a right so say 'only majority' it is more (and should be) to do with origination, a recognition or sorts.

id say cut the bull about how your country indoctrinates you about 'majority' or 'documents' or 'only for linguistic departments' , etc etc where's the Deaf Power , like you all should be saying wtf
 
Grummer said:
like for NZSL Act in New Zealand, NZSL is used by fucckkk all of the population, like 20,000 of the 4,500,000 population...a far cry from being a majority, so from that angle it doesnt give the american government a right so say 'only majority' it is more (and should be) to do with origination, a recognition or sorts.

id say cut the bull about how your country indoctrinates you about 'majority' or 'documents' or 'only for linguistic departments' , etc etc where's the Deaf Power , like you all should be saying wtf
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sound look likes NZSL relate to New Zealand is population almost to deaf community? I doubt America! ? what do you recognition?

you figure out NZSL,
 
ASL is so called to 'differentiate" from BSL-British Sign Language. They both "use" English.
Perhaps a study of history might pin down the exact reason-though hardly worth the effort.
 
Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

drphil said:
ASL is so called to 'differentiate" from BSL-British Sign Language. They both "use" English.
Perhaps a study of history might pin down the exact reason-though hardly worth the effort.
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It's really quiet simple.

ASL was first used and "born" in the USA. It's linguistic roots are a combination of French sign and various local Signed dialects which were present in the USA at that time.

The reason it's called ASL (American Sign Language), not NASL (North American Sign Language) is a matter of where it came into being, not where it's usage is spread to.

Similarly "English" is called such in all English speaking countries, even though many English speaking countries aren't at all part of England.
 
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