SASL Newsletter - Spring 2020 Issue Issue 17 - Spring 2020 | Page 11

By Christina Diaz
In the United States, scholars and researchers frequently talk about American Sign
Language or ASL as the only signed language in use. It is true that deaf Americans most likely
know ASL as their sole signed language. Whenever bilingualism is addressed, it is typically about
ASL and English. The problem with this picture is that ASL is a signed language, and English is not.
The status of English as a spoken language is in itself a complication to the education of deaf
students, for example. What I want to address here is Mexican Sign Language or LSM. The notion
of a person knowing this signed language along with ASL would be a true example of bilingualism in
the signed modality.
We need to ask ourselves this question: What does signing look like for many deaf people
who reside in El Paso, Texas. The reason I bring up El Paso is simple. I live in that city myself. El
Paso is widely known as a border city that sits across a river from Mexico. Over the years, there are
deaf Mexicans who crossed the border from the south and chose El Paso as their new home.
Consequently, LSM has found its way into the United States.
Being a professional interpreter, I
have worked with many deaf people in and
around El Paso. I could not help but observe
the prevalence of LSM in that area of the
United States. I appreciate the fact that a
local sign language interpreter preparation
program has provided some education to
the future interpreters about the deaf
individuals who might 'speak' in LSM.
However, I would like to make a clarification.
Too many people seem to like to think that
LSM and ASL operate separately as two
signed languages in all signing contexts. In
reality, there is a more complex situation
going on with LSM and ASL among deaf
signers in El Paso. This would be similar to
what is known for hearing speakers with
Spanglish – a combination of English and
Spanish spoken within the same sentences.
I would like to call this signed language
contact phenomenon as ASL/LSM for the
Source: avenzamaps.com
purpose of this article.
ASL/LSM occurs naturally and fluently within the area of western Texas or where El Paso is
located. Both deaf and hearing signers are affected by ASL/LSM. I also want to say that many
signers who originally know only ASL have found themselves acquiring LSM through the
community, workshops, religious groups, and cross-country partnerships. As far as El Paso is
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The Power of ASL
11
Spring 2020 – Issue 17