Myanna Hightower posted discussions
Sunday
Krystal Lin replied to Myanna Hightower's discussion Discussion Post #6
"I never knew that ASL is the daughter language of French sign language! And I also really like how you point out that sign languages evolve through survival and cultural resistance not just geography. I think culture always serves as a significant…"
Apr 29
Luke Orris replied to Myanna Hightower's discussion Discussion Post #6
"It is really interesting that they are all connected. Were there any local systems of sign language before the adoption of American standardization or previously did deaf people in places like Indonesia and the Philippines simply develop ways of…"
Apr 28
Reyna Gomez replied to Myanna Hightower's discussion Discussion Post #6
"It was really interesting to learn more about ASL since I don’t know much about it. It’s also sad to think that some groups had to create their own “home-sign” systems just to be able to communicate. Learning about the history of ASL not only makes…"
Apr 25
Sydney Vermeeren replied to Myanna Hightower's discussion Discussion Post #10
"This sounds like a great plan covering many elements of ASL and providing a comprehensive view of the language. I was curious if you have observed or learned about dialectical variation as it pertains to syntax, morphology, and phonology. Are there…"
Apr 23
Julie Strickland replied to Myanna Hightower's discussion Discussion Post #10
"Your last point is very interesting to me. 
When crafting my research study, I didn't even think about the dilectal variations, especially those between older and younger generations. That is so important though since each generation has unique…"
Mar 29
Myanna Hightower posted discussions
Mar 29
Myanna Hightower posted a discussion
If I received a research grant to conduct a linguistic study focused on ASL, I would first establish strong connections with members of the Deaf community and relevant organizations. Building trust and ensuring ethical research practices would be…
Mar 27
Julie Strickland replied to Myanna Hightower's discussion Discussion Post #8
"I love your inclusion of how the key role indigenous communities play. I feel thsi point is often overlooked by the more flashy creations of radio shows and school curriculum. 
I also agree that reviving a dead language is especially difficult due…"
Mar 22
Myanna Hightower posted a discussion
Languages go extinct, and die, when the number of native speakers becomes dangerously low and there is little to no written information documenting these languages to preserve its continuity. This can happen for a number of reasons, the economic…
Mar 22
Myanna Hightower posted a discussion
American sign language (ASL) is a daugther language of French sign language and, although it is mainly used in America, it is incredibly distinct from spoken English. Since ASL is not a spoken language, no sounds exemplify periods of contact with…
Mar 1
Myanna Hightower posted a discussion
The most interesting thing about learning ASL and about deaf/hard-of-hearing (HOH) culture to me is that like spoken languages, ASL has various dialects that vary across country and region. One of these dialects is the result of historical audism…
Feb 20
Myanna Hightower posted a discussion
There is no phonetic inventory of ASL because it is an entirely signed and not spoken language. However while there are no sounds or tonal structures that exist only in ASL and not in English, there are certain signs or words that exist only in…
Feb 15
Myanna Hightower posted a discussion
In ASL, two levels of the four-level langauge model are observable (ie. phonetics, phonology, grammar, and semantics) which are grammar and semantics. Though, I think phonology may be present in the language as well except, instead of particular…
Feb 8
Global Studio replied to Myanna Hightower's discussion Language Learning Journal Entry #1
"Fantastic post, Myanna! I hope you enjoyed conecting with Kimmi!"
Feb 3
Myanna Hightower posted discussions
Feb 1
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Reflection Paper

Throughout this course, I have gained crucial knowledge and practical skills for learning a foreign language. Bahasa Indonesia is a beautiful language, and I am grateful for the experience of having practiced learning it. As a language learner, I have struggled in more traditional language courses, but the self-directed model has allowed me to get a better grasp of the language at my own pace. I took this course for fun, not for my communication requirement, which also made a difference because I came into the course with more enthusiasm–feeling that language learning was less of a “chore”, so to speak. I have learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as a language learner, but the self-directed model has increased my confidence and comfort level learning Indonesian. As a cultural explorer, I have realized the importance of engaging with media in the target language. Watching Indonesian TV shows and listening to Indonesian music have aided my immersion, understanding, and…

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Cultural Post #4

Deaf clubs have historically acted as vital social clubs for deaf and hard of hearing individuals to not only find community during the oralist and other discriminatory movements but to advocate for their community. Oralism promoted speech and lip-reading over sign language and frequently discouraged or outright banned the wide use of ASL, especially in schools. As a result, many deaf and hard of hearing individuals experienced isolation from both hearing society. Deaf clubs offered sponsored events like holiday parties, athletic events, and plays among other things, and were the center of social life for members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, especially those who were doubly discriminated against for being a deaf person of color. The story of deaf clubs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZbgSBX3vYk&t=1sHowever, the popularity of these clubs has declined over the years because of a growing divide between the younger and older generation of deaf and hard of hearing…

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Cultural Post #3

William Stokoe played a transformative role in the recognition of ASL as its own independent language as, before his research, ASL was regarded as a mere pictorial version of English. While teaching at Gallaudet University, the world’s leading university for deaf and hard of hearing students, Stokoe began closely studying the structure of ASL, recognizing patterns and linguistic rules that his collegues didn't, suggesting ASL functioned similarly to spoken languages. His observations led him to develop the Stokoe notation system, which became the first widely recognized written system for documenting ASL. This system transcribed the phonemes, or parameters, of ASL including handshape, location, palm orientation, movement, and non-manual markers/signals into a recognizable linguistic format providing undeniable evidentce that ASL was a language of its own, independent of English. It contradicted the longstanding beliefs of the oralist movement that emphasized teaching deaf individuals…

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