A bill was passed on June 29, 2007 that encourages sign language to be offered as a foreign language class in North Carolina's high schools, community colleges, and state university. This bill states that 33 states already recognize American Sign Language as a foreign language and that the American Sign Language is the "predominant language most commonly used by the deaf community" in America. To justify the course, the bill indicates that the American Sign Language is a fully developed language comprised of unique grammer, syntax, vocabulary. It also has cultural heritage for it is not derived from English or a simplified version of English either.
I think expanding students' foreign language knowledge and abilities is a great opportunity. However, I do not think that the American Sign Language contains enough information or materials to be considered as a foreign language course. It is incomparable to languages provided by schools such as French, Spanish, or Chinese which all include a massive vocabulary, an intense history, complicated grammar rules and an intricate culture. I think the class, while worthwhile and interesting, would not be as rigorous as the languages mentioned above and students taking American Sign Language would have an unfair advantage in their course load compared to students taking foreign languages such as the ones mentioned above.
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5 comments:
Introducing sign language to schools across America is a great idea, however i too agree that it should not be credited as a foreign language class. It should be implemented into the school's elective program because it can provide useful extensive information that could indeed come in handy. The study of foreign languages should be strictly kept to the basic information with vocabulary, background history, and grammar.
Sign language has different usage as other foreign languages, but I feel that this should not be counted as foreign language. Foreign languages contain much more broad meaning and students should learn them to expand their knolwedge regarding other cultures.
I know that in order to use sign language, we have to learn it as I learn other foreign languages. However I do not think that sign language needs to count as a foreign language, because most people who speak foreign languages may have different culture by others, but the users of sign language have the same culture living in same area.
I think this is a fantastic idea. I learned some sign language as a kid and it has come in very handy, but I don't think it should count as a foreign launguage. America is pretty far behind when it comes to educating our youth in foreign languages and I think we need to continue to focus on that. I think sign language should be an available elective like woodshop or art.
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