* Different origins: American Sign Language (ASL) evolved primarily from French Sign Language (LSF) and the signs used by Deaf communities in the northeastern United States. Vineyard sign language, also known as Martha's Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL), developed independently on Martha's Vineyard island in Massachusetts, with influences from various sources including LSF and local English dialects.
* Limited contact: While there was some contact between Deaf communities on the mainland and on Martha's Vineyard, the distance and relative isolation of the island prevented significant linguistic influence between the two sign languages.
* Distinct features: MVSL and ASL have distinct features in their grammar and vocabulary, indicating their independent evolution.
However, it's important to acknowledge:
* Both sign languages share a common root: Both ASL and MVSL ultimately trace back to French Sign Language (LSF), making them part of the same sign language family.
* Sign language borrowing is common: Sign languages, like spoken languages, can borrow signs from each other. While there might be some similarities between ASL and MVSL due to common roots or borrowing, this doesn't necessarily indicate direct influence.
In conclusion: While MVSL and ASL share a common linguistic heritage and might have some similarities, there's no evidence to suggest that MVSL directly influenced the development of ASL. Each sign language evolved independently with unique characteristics.