Florida: Calling All Deaf Advocates!

[Danny Roush]

The following article published last year gives some insight that, at least on the surface, the wrangling centers around the use and spirit of the word "foreign."  

Danny Roush

American Sign Language a possible foreign language
By Christine Dellert
Published: Thursday, January 30, 2003 
Recognized in the United States by the early 19th century, American Sign Language is not as old as its predecessors -- English, Spanish, French or German -- yet it is now gaining an equal amount of use and familiarity in this country.

As ASL becomes the third most popular language in America, educational institutions debate whether or not it is considered a true foreign language and whether it should meet the graduation requirements in foreign language studies at both high schools and colleges.

In 1991, the Florida Legislature declared that two years of high school ASL instruction could fulfill the required two years of foreign language for graduation. Within each state university, it is the job of the Faculty Senate and director of the foreign language department to set guidelines for foreign language requirements to fulfill graduation standards. 

UCF's Faculty Senate voted against the first proposal requesting that ASL qualify as foreign language fulfillment for university graduation in October 1987. The issue was revisited earlier this month and turned over for review by a subcommittee. 

"This question of ASL is brought up every several years," said Faculty Senate President Mike Mullens. "However, American Sign Language is not in the spirit of what the faculty considers being a foreign language."

Like UCF, the University of Tampa and Florida Southern College do not include ASL in the foreign language department. However, the University of Florida, University of South Florida and Florida State University recognize ASL instruction for foreign-language credits. 

UCF's mission is different from that of other schools, foreign languages associate professor Karl-Heinrich Barsch argues. "The university places an international focus on programs and curriculum," he said. "ASL teaches about a different subculture in our country; it does not take us out of the [American] world."

Learning Disabilities Coordinator and ASL interpreter Deborah Kamm claims that in many other university institutions ASL does meet all the criteria for a cultural linguistic study. "Deaf culture is thought of more as a disability, not a separate culture -- but it is," she said.

Dennis Buck, deaf adjunct instructor for communication disorders, does not understand why ASL is not considered a foreign language. With 28 million deaf Americans, students will benefit from learning their language and respecting their culture, he said.

Barsch does not deny the importance of learning ASL in the United States, however he does not see it as a substitute to an international language. All countries have their own different sign languages, he said.

ASL professor and interpreter Pam Rea believes that instruction in ASL can be applied outside of the United States in countries such as Canada and Mexico. 

Rea also argues that foreign languages such as Spanish and French vary depending upon what region of the world they are spoken. "In French there are different variations of the language -- Creole, Haitian and European -- just as there are in sign languages," she said.

This month's renewed debate of ASL does not question its existence as a separate language, but its application in a globalized world, said Barsch. 

The Undergrad Program Curriculum Committee will report back to the Faculty Senate after reviewing arguments of both departments.

UCF currently offers four ASL electives: SPA 4612, SPA 4613, SPA 4614C and SPA 4617. 

From:
http://www.ucfnews.com/news/2003/01/30/Lifestyles/American.Sign.Language.A.Possible.Foreign.Language-354656.shtml
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dan Parvaz 
  To: SLLING-L at ADMIN.HUMBERC.ON.CA 
  Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 3:25 PM
  Subject: Re: Florida: Calling All Deaf Advocates!


  >From the UCF undergraduate handbook:

  Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement
  (Bachelor of Arts Degree)

  Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to one year of college instruction. This requirement may be met either by successful completion of the appropriate college-level course or by examination. Languages that may be used include those taught at UCF and any others for which the University can obtain standardized proficiency tests. Students who have previously received a baccalaureate degree are exempt from this requirement.

  The implication, at least, is that any (a) language for which (b) a standardized test may be found (SCPI, ASL-PI, etc.) should qualify. The curricular and political questions, as outlined by Theresa, are almost certainly where the sticking points are.

  The Mission of UCF, inasmuch as mission statements mean anything, includes the following bit of highfalutin rhetoric:

  The University of Central Florida is a public, multi-campus, metropolitan research university, dedicated to serving its surrounding communities with their diverse and expanding populations

  Which leaves room to debate whether or not relegating a language used and needed by the "surrounding communities" to second-class status helps further their mission. As members of said communities, comments from the Deaf might be relevant. I do not think, however, that they will be persuasive.

  Sigh. Once more into the breach...

  -Dan.
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