ASL Literature Byrne
American Sign Language Literature : Some Considerations for Legitimacy and Quality Issues
Andrew P . J . Byrne Framingham State University
Abstract
American Sign Language ( ASL ) literature is a recent phenomenon in the American and Canadian academic landscape and constitutes an important component for the field of ASL and Deaf Studies . There are a number of pressing issues that have not been addressed until now . These include : how to respond to the status of ASL as a non-written language , various definitions for ASL literature , a large number of literary works translated from English to ASL , and the confusion associated with some works being produced by the deaf community as opposed to those by individual performers . This paper represents an attempt to address these issues . The four main objectives of this paper are : ( 1 ) to validate the relationship between oral literature and ASL literature ; ( 2 ) to provide a comprehensive definition for ASL literature ; ( 3 ) to promote the value of originality as compared to translation ; and ( 4 ) to create a taxonomy of ASL literary genres . Substantial information and some research data is presented which comes from the author ’ s doctoral dissertation , completed in 2013 . A comprehensive definition of ASL literature is expected to help maintain the legitimacy and quality of the literary language of the deaf community . The author has been involved in the creation of a collection of ASL literary works , which provides a much-needed basis for research and scholarship . The general knowledge of ASL literature through the familiarity with works listed in the collection will help create a canon of ASL literature .
Introduction
At present , American Sign Language ( ASL ) enjoys popularity as a language to study . The Modern Language Association reported that student enrollment in signed language coursework is growing much faster than other languages in the American higher education setting ( Furman , Goldberg , & Lusin , 2010 ; Goldberg , Looney , & Lusin , 2015 ; McQuillan , 2012 ). The inclusion of literature in any language study is important , and ASL should not be treated as an exception to the rule . ASL literature provides students with keen insights on the people who use signed language . Deaf people in the United States and parts of Canada are the primary users of ASL . They have formed and maintain a community that shares features of ethnic communities ( Lane , Pillard , & Hedberg , 2011 ). ASL has played a central role in how deaf people have become a linguistic and cultural minority in the context of society ( Ladd , 2003 ; Lane , Hoffmeister , & Bahan , 1996 ; Padden , 1980 ; Padden & Humphries , 1988 ; Stokoe , 1980 ; Wilcox , 1989 ).
ASL can be seen as a latecomer to academia when it comes to how languages are traditionally taught ( i . e ., spoken and written ). It was during the 1970s and 1980s that ASL started receiving recognition as an independent and full-fledged human language possessing a linguistic structure comprised of its own phonology , morphology , and syntax ( Sandler & Lillo-Martin , 2006 ; Valli , Lucas , Mulrooney , & Villanueva , 2011 ). What is known as deaf culture further justifies the teaching of ASL as a foreign language in American and Canadian colleges and universities . There are several curricula for teaching ASL that are available for purchase ( e . g ., Humphries & Padden , 2004 ; Smith , Lentz , & Mikos , 2008 ; Zinza , 2006 ). The fact that ASL has no writing system has
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