Nov 18, 2024 Story by: Editor
Jones, a lecturer in Deaf studies at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, dedicates his research to uncovering the historical roots, linguistic features, and cultural significance of Black American Sign Language (BASL). However, as time progresses since the integration of Black and white schools, BASL users are becoming increasingly rare.
“It’s really critical to interview and take the opportunity to look at the experiences and history of the Black folks that are left, because many of them are dying,” Jones emphasizes. “So can we pull together those last bits of information that are still in our history from these senior members of our community, and ask about different sign production and what that looks like, before it’s too late?”
A Personal Connection to BASL
Jones, a fourth-generation Deaf individual from South Carolina, attended the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, which was segregated from its founding in 1849 until 1967. Unfortunately, no historical records were kept regarding the form BASL took during segregation.
At home, Jones used a blend of BASL, standard ASL, and home signs unique to his family. Growing up, he remained unaware of the differences between Black ASL and standard ASL. “I didn’t know that there was a difference. Even when I would notice [people using different signs], I didn’t have a label or language to talk about it,” he shares.
It wasn’t until college, while studying with Carolyn McCaskill at Gallaudet University, that Jones recognized BASL as its own distinct linguistic system. McCaskill, one of Jones’ earliest mentors and his first Black Deaf teacher, helped him understand the nuanced challenges he faced, including being criticized for his BASL by white teachers and peers.
What Makes BASL Unique?
During the era of school segregation, BASL emerged as a distinct language within the Black Deaf community. Black Deaf individuals who attended segregated schools, like Jones’ alma mater in South Carolina, developed their own signing style. McCaskill, founder of the Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, estimates that approximately half of Deaf Black people in the United States still use BASL.
BASL features distinctive linguistic elements. For instance, BASL users often employ fewer mouth movements (facial grammar) and use both hands for signs that standard ASL might render one-handed. The sign space in BASL tends to be higher and wider compared to the tighter, more economical movements of standard ASL.
Jones draws comparisons between BASL and African American Vernacular English (AAVE), both of which have unique grammatical, vocabulary, and accent characteristics. However, he cautions against conflating the two. “Very often, we have these conversations where people say, ‘Black ASL and AAVE are the same.’ But in actuality, they are two separate things, and we need to think about them in two separate silos,” he explains.
Understanding BASL’s Place in Linguistics
The relationship between BASL and standard ASL raises questions about its classification. Jones wonders whether BASL is a separate language or a dialect of ASL. “If we think of ASL as an umbrella, then underneath it we can have Black ASL, Martha’s Vineyard ASL, Indigenous [sign language],” he posits. “Are those all separate languages? That gives me pause. We just need so much more research in this field to fully understand it.”
One significant contribution to BASL research is The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure (2011), co-authored by McCaskill. This book represents a landmark empirical study confirming BASL as a distinct variety of ASL.
Finding Community and Connection
For Jones, encountering other BASL users is a rare and cherished experience. He recalls attending a National Black Deaf Advocates conference, where he felt an unparalleled sense of belonging. “I was awestruck,” he recounts. “I had such a great experience. I saw so many Black Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Deaf-Disabled people—women, men, trans folks, nonbinary folks—everyone signing, and it felt like home for me.”
Jones continues to advocate for greater awareness and rigorous research into BASL, hoping to preserve this vital aspect of Black Deaf heritage for future generations. Source: BU EDU
