why ASL is called ASL?

[Bottesini]

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )



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.

Not quite right. English is an Anglo-Frisian language brought to Britain in the 5th Century AD by Germanic settlers from various parts of northwest Germany. . The history of the language can be traced back to the arrival of three Germanic tribes to the British Isles during the 5th Century AD. Angles, Saxons and Jutes crossed the North Sea from what is the present day Denmark and northern Germany. The inhabitants of Britain previously spoke a Celtic language. This was quickly displaced. Most of the Celtic speakers were pushed into Wales, Cornwall and Scotland. One group migrated to the Brittany Coast of France where their descendants still speak the Celtic Language of Breton today. The Angles were named from Engle, their land of origin. Their language was called Englisc from which the word, English derives.

 

[Anij]

Not quite right. English is an Anglo-Frisian language brought to Britain in the 5th Century AD by Germanic settlers from various parts of northwest Germany. . The history of the language can be traced back to the arrival of three Germanic tribes to the British Isles during the 5th Century AD. Angles, Saxons and Jutes crossed the North Sea from what is the present day Denmark and northern Germany. The inhabitants of Britain previously spoke a Celtic language. This was quickly displaced. Most of the Celtic speakers were pushed into Wales, Cornwall and Scotland. One group migrated to the Brittany Coast of France where their descendants still speak the Celtic Language of Breton today. The Angles were named from Engle, their land of origin. Their language was called Englisc from which the word, English derives.

Right - I was aware of the roots of English, however didn't want to go into all the complexities of English language from ancient to modern development in my post

I should have said the modern language known as English is used by multiple peoples in various countries - however regardless of location is still referred to as "English", not as Canadish, Americish, etc (although we do sometimes clarify by adding on "British English", "American English", "Canadian English" etc to reflect location specific dialects which are present).

Hope that makes sense.

 

[diehardbiker]

English came from England, right? In America we still use English anyway why Americans are using English instead of American?

Really the argument is moot. The language just happen to develop over time not just overnight. That applies to all language include ASL,

ASL is American Sign Language, it came from America...and so its a National language of Deaf Americans? can any one clarify this?
I mean, if youre an american and you're Deaf, then you must be speaking an American language, right?

 

[dogmom]

Botti, that was really interesting about the background roots of English!

 

[Grummer]

dogmom, any pommie would know this, its common knowledge over there (well, to the more literate, upper classes types (or conformists middle classes for that matter).

yeah, thing is ASL is a fucking foriegn language and do you American Deafs really want to put up with that!!!
I dont think so

 

[eternity]

Do you know that ASL isn't created from British? Gallaudet and Clerc were brought French Sign Language to the USA. We eventually adjust our sign language (ASL) for over time. You may aware that BSL and ASL aren't the same. I know it is kinda funny because we sign in French, but we can read and write in English.

 

[Grummer]

Do you know that ASL isn't created from British? Gallaudet and Clerc were brought French Sign Language to the USA. We eventually adjust our sign language (ASL) for over time. You may aware that BSL and ASL aren't the same. I know it is kinda funny because we sign in French, but we can read and write in English.

lol ,that's a good observation! nice one

 

[Frisky Feline]

Do you know that ASL isn't created from British? Gallaudet and Clerc were brought French Sign Language to the USA. We eventually adjust our sign language (ASL) for over time. You may aware that BSL and ASL aren't the same. I know it is kinda funny because we sign in French, but we can read and write in English.

ha True.