By Samuel J. Supalla
Citation
Rayman, J. (2009). Why doesn’t everyone here speak sign language? Questions of language policy,
ideology and economics. Current Issues in Language Planning, 10(3), 338-350.
Abstract
This paper is a thought experiment exploring the possibility of establishing universal
bilingualism in Sign Languages. Focusing in the first part on historical examples of inclusive signing
societies such as Martha's Vineyard, the author suggests that it is not possible to create such
naturally occurring practices of Sign Bilingualism in societies with relatively few Deaf people. The
second part examines current policies that attempt to include Deaf people in wider society through
language and disability policies aiming to counteract ideologies that perceive both Sign Language and
the Deaf as deficient. This section demonstrates how current policies fail to achieve full inclusion of
Deaf people. Using economic analysis, the author shows in the third part how the marginal status of
Sign Languages as minority languages can influence reduced economic and life chances of Deaf
citizens providing an argument for a radical reframing of current Sign Language policies.
(4 ¼ minutes long)
The Power of ASL
12
Winter 2018 – Issue 12