I am writing to offer a unique perspective on the issue of American Sign Language not counting for College of Arts and Sciences Foreign Language requirement, rightfully raised by Rowan Armor’s letter (“American Sign Language should count for class credit,” March 26, pg. 7). As a linguistics major, I am one of the few student in CAS lucky enough to take ASL and have it count for non-elective credit.
A year and a half ago, I was just like many of you reading this letter — I knew nothing about ASL or deaf people. I vaguely remembered Linda from “Sesame Street” and thought I knew how to fingerspell. But my studies here at Boston University have helped me to discover and pursue my passion for language and human connection. From personal experience, I know that ASL provides a gateway into a separate culture and way of life, one that fascinates me to no end. And did you know that ASL has beautiful poetry, where movements and hand shapes are artfully manipulated in similar ways to how English poets use alliteration and rhyme? I didn’t before, but I am awed by it now.
My own experiences aside, I have noticed that this is the only major university issue discussed recently in The Daily Free Press that has not prompted a single letter, comment or clarification from BU administrators. This silence, especially that of the College of Arts and Sciences deans in question, troubles me. What is their motivation in denying ASL the recognition it deserves? I do not understand. I encourage you to check any linguistics textbook and see what it says about the legitimacy of ASL. Heck, just type “ASL linguistic research” into Google, and 0.25 seconds later the first link you will be shown leads to the American Sign Language Linguistics Research Project, a major study on ASL syntax being conducted right here at Boston University! I call upon the CAS deans - our academic leaders – to explain their position or end the discrimination against the natural language of the American deaf community.
Learning a language other than your own is one of the most rewarding endeavors anyone can ever undertake, and I wholeheartedly support the notions behind the CAS Foreign Language requirement. But today, I am advocating specifically for the inclusion of American Sign Language. If the administration allows us, we can use this beautiful language right here in our own city to help break down the barriers that separate the hearing majority from the misunderstood linguistic minority of the American deaf community.
Becky Reuker
CAS ’06