SASL Newsletter - Fall 2017 Issue Issue 7 - Fall 2017 | Page 7

A Note from the President
By Samuel J. Supalla
Why Our Journal Stands Out...
Another milestone for SASL has been made! After a slight delay, the first issue (Fall/Winter
2017) of the Society for American Sign Language Journal (SASLJ) has been released to members.
Since most of the contributors are deaf and know English as a second language, editing was an
important step to get all articles in top shape for publication. Dr. Jody Cripps recruited two native
English speaking scholars to help with the editing work. This explains the delay, and we must now
applaud Dr. Cripps for his leadership in getting the journal together and released! As the organization's
President, I would like to explain the exceptional nature of our journal, and why it is crucial that SASL
has its own journal. After reading the journal from beginning to end, I identified three major features that
emerged from the five articles that I believe represent SASL as a professional organization.
Feature 1: Integration of Deaf and Hearing Signers. In
Dr. Russell Rosen's article, the question of access, benefits, and
quality of ASL was addressed with deaf and hearing signers in
mind. Such integrated outlook is traditionally not a route to
pursue for scholars and researchers. Interesting insights and a
stronger agenda for research and scholarship have come out
with thanks to the unique examination that Dr. Rosen led in his
article on ASL. While Dr. Andrew Byrne and Dr. Jody Cripps'
articles focused on deaf signers, they are sensitive to the fact
that hearing signers have contributed to the literary and musical
aspects of Deaf culture. Dr. Byrne noted the literary work of
Bonnie Kraft, a CODA and Dr. Cripps noted two hearing
performers who pursued signed music successfully.
Feature 2: Embracing the Concept of Sound. My own
article along with Dr. Cripps' emphasized the need to depart from
the antiquated view that deaf people experience silence. Instead,
deaf people make and experience 'noise' in their own way.
Regarding education, I explained in my article that deafness has
defined reading more than it should. This resulted in overlooking
the value of signed language reading (and the whole notion of
deaf children needing to learn to read in their own language, ASL). A review of research literature has
___
demonstrated that deaf children can experience 'sounding out' written signs and 'reading aloud' an ASL
text. Dr. Cripps did his part in explaining the reality of signed music and how it has a history of use in
the deaf community. Both lyrics and non-lyrics were addressed in his paper and that deaf people can
enjoy music with depth and authenticity. With the commentary at the end of the journal, Dr. Lisalee
Egbert reminded us all that many individuals in the deaf community (and society at large) once rejected
the idea that ASL constitutes a true language. Research and scholarship played a key role in supporting
the linguistic outlook of deaf people's use of hands for communication. I hope the same is happening
with the merit of signed music and signed language reading.
(Continue on the next page)
The Power of ASL
7
Fall 2017 – Issue 7