As the discussion continues of what constitutes a “foreign” language by University standards, the University undergraduate council is looking to language experts for ideas.
University of New Mexico linguistics professor Sherman Wilcox spoke to the undergraduate council on Monday, encouraging the University to make sign language an option for fulfilling the bachelor of arts degree foreign language requirement. Following his presentation to the council, he addressed more than 50 people in the EMU Ben Linder Room about the history, benefits and culture of teaching American Sign Language.
“You don’t have to go to another country to put language study to practice,” Wilcox said.
He traced the roots of ASL back to the 17th century in Martha’s Vineyard, where it was used as a communication mode among the large deaf population.
Wilcox explained how written sign language can aid in learning by developing books, educational tools and sign language dictionaries.
“One way we share experiences is through writing,” he said.
Wilcox suggested ASL simply be given the same amount of recognition as other languages. “We should at least investigate the possibility of writing ASL,” he said.
This issue is not new to the University. In 1994, the University undergraduate council voted down the concept of ASL being an acceptable language alternative. Since then, the ASUO Student Senate passed a resolution in March recognizing ASL as a foreign language, but the process has now shifted to the University undergraduate council for suggestions of what comes next.
Although the program has yet to be accepted as meeting the University’s foreign language standards, the ASL Club is pushing to spread the signed word across campus.
The club — with more than 80 people involved — meets every other week for a “Dine and Sign,” where members eat dinner and sign with each other, often along with interpreters, teachers and other members of the deaf community.
“We want to promote deaf culture and ASL awareness and learn more signing,” ASL club president Sunh Yanagishita said.
The club is currently working to save up funds on its own until it is eligible for ASUO funding, but participants are hoping to eventually bring a deaf culture night to the University, just as other cultures are celebrated. The group also seeks to have more formal ASL practice sessions for anyone interested.
Yanagishita said the language is often misinterpreted.
“People think it’s the same as English,” she said, “but there is a deaf culture out there all to itself.”
The undergraduate council will continue to hear reports from language departments about ASL and the foreign language requirement. Undergraduate council chairman John Nicols said he doesn’t expect the council to reach a decision before May.
“The exploration has been productive, and I think we’ll come to a decision that’s useful,” he said.