American Sign Language (ASL) is a rich and expressive visual language used by hundreds of thousands of Deaf and hard-of-hearing people across the United States and parts of Canada. But did you know that ASL actually has roots in French Sign Language (LSF – Langue des Signes Française)?
Understanding the origins of ASL provides a powerful glimpse into Deaf history, global connections, and the remarkable journey of how Deaf education took hold in America.
In the early 1800s, there were no formal schools for Deaf children in the United States. Many Deaf individuals developed their own home signs or used informal community signs, but there was no standardized language or widespread education available.
That changed when a young American minister named Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet became inspired to help a neighbor’s Deaf daughter learn to communicate. Frustrated by the lack of resources in America, Gallaudet traveled to Europe in 1815 to learn about Deaf education.
While in England, Gallaudet met Laurent Clerc, a Deaf teacher from the National Institute for the Deaf in Paris, where French Sign Language (LSF) was already being used as part of formal Deaf education. Gallaudet was impressed not only by Clerc’s command of sign language, but also by his passion for teaching.
Gallaudet convinced Clerc to return with him to the United States. Together, they established the first permanent school for the Deaf in America — the American School for the Deaf — in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817.
The foundation of ASL was born at that school. It was not a direct copy of French Sign Language, but rather a blend of:
Over time, this unique combination evolved into a distinct and fully developed language — American Sign Language.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1760 | The first public school for the Deaf is founded in Paris by Charles-Michel de l’Épée, establishing the basis of French Sign Language (LSF). |
| 1785 | Laurent Clerc is born in France. He later becomes a key teacher at the Paris Deaf Institute. |
| 1815 | Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet travels to Europe to learn Deaf education methods. He meets Laurent Clerc in London. |
| 1816 | Gallaudet returns to America with Clerc after several months of studying LSF and Deaf pedagogy. |
| 1817 | Gallaudet and Clerc open the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut — the first Deaf school in the U.S. |
| 1820s–1900s | ASL begins to evolve, blending LSF with American regional signs and home signs. It spreads as more Deaf schools are established across the country. |
Today, ASL is recognized as a legitimate language with its own grammar, syntax, and cultural nuances. While it shares some vocabulary and structure with French Sign Language, ASL is a completely separate language with deep historical roots.
The story of how ASL came to be is more than just a historical footnote — it’s a testament to the global collaboration, perseverance, and cultural pride of the Deaf community. Thanks to the efforts of pioneers like Gallaudet and Clerc, generations of Deaf individuals in America have been given a voice — through their hands.
By recognizing the origins of ASL, we also honor the importance of Deaf education, linguistic diversity, and the international connections that shaped the vibrant language we use today.