Interesting History

A Deaf Island

A unigue situation developed on Martha's Vinyard in the late 17th century.  Martha's Vinyard is an island five miles off the southeastern shore of Massachusetts.  From 1690 to the mid-twentieth century, a high rate of genetic deafnes appeared in the island population.  The normal rate for deafness in the population in the 19th century America was approximately 1 out of every 5700 people.  However, on Martha's Vineyard it was 1 out of every 155.  In some areas the ratios were even higher; in one town 1 in every 25 people were born deaf, and in a certain neighborhood of the town the ratio was 1 in 4.

What makes this situation really interesting was the evidence of an indigenous signed language being used on the island.  The first deaf islander, who arrived with his wife and family in 1692, was fluent in some type of signed language.

As the deaf community on the island flourished, so did the language.  We can only assume that this local signed language was based on the British sign language.  In anycase, the language spread to the entire island so that almost every individual, deaf and hearing, was able to use the Vineyard sign language.

The information listed above can be found at this link.

Here's a photo of a beach from Martha's Vinyard Island.

If you'd like to leave a comment or add some information feel free to on the Comments Page, or you can go back to the ASL History Page.

If you'd like to look at some links to learn sign language click on the Links for ASL Page.

If you'd like to see some sign language music videos click on the Music + ASL Page.

If have any questions that may be answered click on the Question & Answer Page.