Understanding Black ASL

Presenter: Roxanne Dummett

Dive into the fascinating world of American Sign Language (ASL) diversity with a focus on Black ASL (BASL)! Uncover the rich history of BASL, which was developed in the segregated schools for Deaf African Americans in the pre-civil rights era. This presentation highlights the unique features of BASL compared to traditional ASL, offering insights into citation form differences such as one-handed and two-handed variations, English mouthing, larger signing space, African American English (AAE) borrowings, and more. Join us to explore how incorporating BASL into ASL curriculums can enhance instruction and assessments. Gain a deeper understanding of BASL’s history and culture while leaving with a wealth of resources to enrich your teaching.