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The Pros And Cons Of American Sign Language

1581 Words7 Pages

Sophie Gustek
Mrs. Gustek
American Sign Language
27 January 2023
A Choice
Five hundred thousand people across America use the language known as American Sign Language. Still, more people are deaf and do not use ASL. Why is that? They probably went to a school for the deaf that taught them to read lips and speak. This technique for deaf people to learn language is called oralism. In contrast, American Sign Language is typically called the manual way for the deaf to learn language. Not only is each method of learning completely different, but they are constantly argued over. It is hard to say which one is right or wrong, but learning about both sides is important.
What exactly is oralism? “It is a form of communication that relies on spoken language …show more content…

Knowing only ASL can keep the deaf person from being able to communicate with anyone who does not know American Sign Language, especially when numerous people still do not consider ASL a language. A woman who worked with Alexander Graham Bell Association had this to say, “It’s much easier for deaf children to learn sign language. Because, you see, it’s not really a language, it’s easier. It’s the easy way. If they don’t know anything else, they’ll use it, I guess. People who use sign language, that’s fine. If they want to. We don’t hate them or anything. They’re just not…the same” (Neisser 31-32). Communicating well leads to great acceptance in the world. Yet the jobs for deaf people who only know ASL are definitely limited. Everyday jobs normally include talking, listening, and much communication. It is not to say that there are not any jobs open to those who communicate only through ASL; it would just be a much smaller selection than if they could communicate better with hearing people. In addition, with only knowing ASL, deaf people have just a few options when it comes to college. The only college for the deaf in America is Gallaudet University, and it is in Washington D.C. It is not the cheapest place to attend, especially if the deaf person lives across the country and has to fly in from there. Interpreters are an option for the deaf if they want to go to whatever college they want, but not all …show more content…

Being able to talk and read lips opened incredible opportunities for the deaf. So, for some, oralism brought hope and new perspective. For others, though, language and community were more important. They would guard ASL with their life and would never stoop to oralism. Two great forms of communication have been laid out. The deaf must make their choice.

Work Cited
Hunter, Evelyn. “What is ASL.” The Sign Language Company, https://signlanguageco.com/what-is-asl/. Accessed 13 December 2022.
J., Samantha. “The Pros And Cons Of Oralism: A Debate Within The Deaf Community.” ICPh2019, https://www.icphs2019.org/the-pros-and-cons-of-oralism-a-debate-within-the-deaf-community. Accessed 6 December 2022.
Jay, Michelle. Don’t just “sign” … communicate!: a student’s guide to ASL and the deaf community. Judea Media, LLC, 2011.
Neisser, Arden. The Other Side Of Silence. Gallaudet University Press,

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