Who invented ASL?

It's important to understand that American Sign Language (ASL) didn't have a single inventor. It's a complex language with a rich history, evolving over centuries from various sources.

Here's a breakdown of ASL's development:

* Origins in France: The foundation of ASL can be traced back to the French Sign Language (LSF). This language was brought to America by Laurent Clerc, a deaf educator who founded the first school for the deaf in the United States in 1817.

* Influence of Native American Sign Languages: Native American sign languages also played a crucial role in shaping ASL. Early deaf communities interacted with indigenous sign languages, contributing to the vocabulary and grammar of ASL.

* Evolution and Standardization: Over time, ASL continued to evolve as deaf communities in America interacted and developed their own unique forms of communication. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, efforts to standardize ASL began, culminating in the establishment of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) in 1880.

Therefore, while Laurent Clerc's arrival with LSF is a key event in ASL's history, the language itself is the result of a long process of cultural exchange, adaptation, and evolution. It's not a language created by a single individual but rather a collective creation of the deaf community in America.