Stuttering-Like Behaviors in ASL
Cripps et al.
Stuttering-Like Behaviors in American Sign Language
Jody H. Cripps
Clemson University
Mark W. Pellowski
Towson University
Ellen Fromm
Genesis Rehab Services
Abstract
The general understanding about stuttering is well-established, but its relationship to
American Sign Language (ASL) is little understood. While some preliminary research evidence
exists to support the notion that stuttering-like behaviors occur among deaf people who know and
use ASL on a daily basis, it is best to describe this phenomenon as stuttering-like, based on the
level of knowledge obtained to date. This study used a survey-based research design, which
included a comprehension set of questions to ask a large number of professionals and non-
professionals who associate with deaf children and adults about their perceived prevalence of
signed language stuttering. This study represents a new step for investigating stuttering-like
behaviors in the signed language modality. A 19-item survey was developed and divided into two
sections: 1) respondents’ demographic information and ASL knowledge and experience; and 2)
questions regarding stuttering-like behaviors. A majority of the respondents reported that they have
observed deaf individuals who ‘stutter’ while signing. These respondents were able to identify
with specific atypical behaviors as reported in the literature for the signed language modality.
Some of the universal stuttering-like behaviors such as the location of atypical behaviors occurring
in the beginning and the middle of an utterance are included in the findings. The respondents also
confirmed other behaviors and the impact of communicative settings for deaf signers that are
associated with hearing speakers who stutter.
Introduction
The topic of signed language stuttering is significant since there are many deaf people who
live in the United States and rely on American Sign Language (ASL) as their means for
communication. The estimated number of deaf signers range between 500,000 to one million
strong (Mitchell, Young, Bachleda, & Karchmer, 2006; Padden, 1987; Schein & Delk, 1974). ASL
is a signed language and is understandably deaf people's language of choice. Unlike English or
any spoken language, ASL is visual and fully accessible for acquisition and use (see Supalla &
Cripps, 2008 for the significance of linguistic accessibility). However, researchers in the field of
speech-language pathology focus on spoken language when it comes to studying and
understanding stuttering (see Bloodstein & Bernstein Ratner, 2008). It is generally reported that
the prevalence of stuttering among English language speakers is approximately 1% in the United
States whereas the incidence is approximately 5% (Bloodstein & Bernstein Ratner, 2008). Speech-
language pathologists frequently work with these individuals and have access to a wealth of
information related to the assessment and treatment of stuttering.
The level of awareness of deaf people’s stuttering-like behaviors while signing is poor
(Cripps, Cooper, Evitts, & Blackburn, 2016a) and there is no known therapeutic practice for
stuttering-like behaviors in the signed language modality (Cripps, Cooper, Supalla, & Evitts,
2016b). Within this background, it may be necessary to adopt the term of stuttering-like for ASL
users when studying this phenomenon among deaf people. It is also important for researchers and
SASLJ, Vol. 2, No.1 – Spring/Summer 2018
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