The scar on his face.
Laurent Clerc used French Sign Language, which he then adapted with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet to create what is now known as American Sign Language (ASL). They combined elements of French Sign Language with local signs to create a system that could be used in the United States.
The creator of American Sign Language (ASL) as we know it today is credited to Laurent Clerc, a deaf educator from France. He played a key role in establishing the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States, helping to shape and promote the use of sign language.
Laurent Clerc and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet did not invent sign language. They were instrumental in establishing the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States, the American School for the Deaf, and in spreading the use of American Sign Language. They recognized the importance of using sign language as a primary means of communication for deaf individuals.
Laurent Clerc is famous for being a Deaf educator and co-founder of the first school for the Deaf in the United States, the American School for the Deaf in Connecticut. He was instrumental in promoting the use of American Sign Language and the advancement of Deaf education in America.
Laurent Clerc refused to use his voice primarily because he believed in the importance of sign language as a natural and effective means of communication for the deaf. He felt that relying on spoken language could undermine the use of sign language and the cultural identity of the deaf community. Additionally, Clerc's commitment to teaching deaf individuals through sign language stemmed from his own experiences as a deaf person, reinforcing his dedication to promoting its use and preserving deaf culture.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
Born in France (1785) , Louis Laurent Marie Clerc was a year old when he lost his hearing. He eventually became a teacher at the famous Parisian school of the deaf, and later traveled to England and the United States where in 1816 he and Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet established the first American School for the Deaf at Hartford, Connecticut. He served there until his death in 1869.
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
American Sign Language (ASL) was not invented by a single person; it evolved naturally over time within Deaf communities in the United States. However, many credit Laurent Clerc, a Deaf teacher from France, and Thomas Gallaudet, a hearing educator, for bringing French Sign Language to the U.S. and laying the foundation for ASL.
Laurent Clerc and Thomas H Gallaudent
Deaf people should be proud of Laurent Clerc because he was a pioneering educator and advocate for the deaf community in the 19th century. As one of the founders of the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States, Clerc played a crucial role in promoting sign language and establishing a formal education system for deaf individuals. His contributions significantly advanced the recognition and rights of deaf people, helping to shape a strong cultural identity within the community. Clerc's legacy continues to inspire and empower deaf individuals today.
Laurent and his wife, Elizabeth, are buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Hartford. In 1992, a deaf man, Alan Barwiolek, visited the Clerc gravestone's. He was appalled at the deteriorated and vandalized headstones and started a nationwide campaign to restore the headstones. His efforts drew great support from countless individuals and organizations, including the Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund of the Gallaudet University Alumni Association. Six years later, honor was brought back to the Laurent with the unveiling of new headstones at their final resting place.