Why does ASL become a first language for many Deaf people?
Parents are often the source of a child’s early acquisition of language. A deaf child who is born to deaf parents who already use ASL will begin to acquire ASL as naturally as a hearing child picks up spoken language from hearing parents. However, language is acquired differently by a deaf child with hearing parents who have no prior experience with ASL. Some hearing parents choose to introduce sign language to their deaf children. Hearing parents who choose to learn sign language often learn it along with their child. Nine out of every ten children who are born deaf are born to parents who hear. Other communication models, based in spoken English, exist apart from ASL, including oral, auditory-verbal, and cued speech. As with any language, interaction with other children and adults is also a significant factor in acquisition. Back to top Why Emphasize Early Language Learning? Parents should introduce deaf children to language as early as possible. The earlier any child is exposed to a
Related Questions
- Does this certificate qualify me as a teacher of deaf children, ASL/English interpreter, sign language instructor, or speech pathologist and audiologist?
- Is sign language for deaf people international or are there such things as sign language Interpreters?
- Can deaf people who communicate solely via sign language ever use bad grammar?
