A Language Recognized
Linguists, who had previously ignored the sign languages of the world, began to demonstrate that they were natural languages equally capable of communicating abstract thought, emotion, and complex information as spoken languages. The result was that American Sign Language, ASL, was recognized as the foundation of a visually oriented Deaf community.
Forty years after the language gained academic recognition, schools have accepted sign language in the classroom; public events commonly include sign language interpreters; television and movie producers cast deaf actors; publishers welcome scholarly and popular books and articles on signing and Deaf culture; students flock to sign language courses; and schools employ more deaf teachers, principals, and superintendents. For some deaf people, the most dramatic change is new pride in using their language in public.