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Related Experiment Videos

Why is learning American Sign Language a challenge?

M Kemp1

  • 1Department of American Sign Language, Linguistics and Interpretation, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA.

American Annals of the Deaf
|July 29, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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American Sign Language (ASL) is a complex language, not easily learned. True mastery of ASL requires extensive exposure and practice over a substantial period, dispelling misconceptions of it being a simple, picture-like system.

Area of Science:

  • Linguistics
  • Deaf Studies
  • Language Acquisition

Background:

  • Growing interest in American Sign Language (ASL) has led to increased course offerings.
  • Misconceptions persist regarding ASL's complexity and learnability.
  • Some signs appear iconic, leading to the misconception that ASL is easily learned.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address persistent misconceptions about American Sign Language (ASL).
  • To emphasize that ASL is a complete and complex language.
  • To advocate for approaching ASL learning with respect and realistic expectations.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of ASL learnability.
  • Review of common misconceptions in ASL pedagogy.
  • Comparative analysis with spoken language acquisition.

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Main Results:

  • ASL possesses the nuances and subtleties characteristic of any complete language.
  • Initial iconic signs can mislead learners into underestimating the language's complexity.
  • There is no established consensus on ASL's learnability continuum for native English speakers.

Conclusions:

  • ASL mastery requires significant time, extensive exposure, and dedicated practice.
  • Learning ASL should be approached with the understanding that it is a complex linguistic system.
  • Learners should disabuse themselves of the notion that ASL can be mastered quickly or easily.