American Sign Language

American Sign Language (ASL) is the recognized language of the Deaf community in the United States and in many parts of Canada. An understanding of ASL can benefit students who wish to expand their language skills and cultural knowledge to enhance other majors (e.g., nursing, education, communications, social work, and psychology). Students develop skills which will also make them more attractive to organizations that work with the Deaf.

Linfield offers four courses in ASL - two at the beginner level and two at the intermediate level. There is also an American Sign Language Club on campus, which meets one hour a week to learn vocabulary and tell stories in ASL. 

Did you know?

• ASL is the fourth most-studied language on college campuses in the U.S.
• Enrollment in ASL courses increased 16.4% in 2009. Enrollment in traditional foreign language courses increased by only 6.6%.  Source: Modern Language Association (2010)
• ASL is its own distinct language that contains the fundamental features of language, such as pronunciation, word order and grammar rules.
• Like English speakers, signers of ASL can vary in terms of their rhythm of signing and form. Source: The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (2011)