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American Sign Language
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[Opening Scene] A close-up shot of a laptop keyboard. A person’s left arm is visible as they type, focusing intently on their work. The next clip shows video editing software open on a laptop screen, displaying three clips of a male signing for an ASL research project.
[Research Lab Scene] The scene transitions to a research lab with tables, video lights, and studio equipment in the background. A professor consults with a student about their ASL research project.
[Visual Research Display] The next clip shows a close-up of a screen titled “Methods: 8 Sign Languages.” Flags and images of Deaf individuals representing LSF, ISL, JSL, LIBRAS, and other sign languages appear briefly. Text at the bottom reads: “16 Lexical Items.”
[Student Collaboration Scene] A female student discusses a research paper on a desktop computer. Only the professor’s arm is visible in the background. Another clip shows a male professor signing instructions to his students during class. He signs: “Saw this, noticed, and understood.”
[Students at Work] Clips show male and female students working independently on their laptops, editing, and preparing their projects.
[Faculty Introduction] A title appears on-screen: “Patrick Boudreault, Ph.D. Associate Professor, ASL Program.”
Professor Boudreault signs:
“Hello, I am Professor Boudreault. I am with the Department of ASL. This semester, I am working with senior students on their research projects. They are currently preparing posters for their upcoming research exhibit. The students are excited to showcase their findings.”
[Exhibition Day] The video transitions to the research exhibit. Students stand beside their posters displayed on cubicle walls, engaging visitors who walk through the room. Two female students enthusiastically explain their projects in ASL to attendees. The camera pans across the exhibit, showing multiple presenters and posters as people interact and learn about each research topic.
[Student Presentations] A female student signs:
“I interviewed three participants from different backgrounds and discovered the importance of early language acquisition.”
A male student signs:
“Why ASL is the best fit…”
The next scene shows a different poster titled “Which Is Darker: Color in NMS or SIGNS?” A female student points to data and diagrams on the display while explaining her findings.
Another female student signs:
“While I interacted with participants…” She gestures toward her poster as she continues explaining her research.
A wide shot shows Professor Boudreault standing in the background as attendees observe and discuss the projects.
A male student points to his poster and signs:
“That being said, I noticed one participant struggled to identify different colors, which became a key part of my findings.”
The camera focuses on a poster showing three facial images: one masked, one AI-generated, and one unmasked. Text and diagrams illustrate the research outcomes.
[Closing Reflections] A female student signs:
“Gallaudet student.”
The video transitions to a smiling male student who signs:
“Face to face.”
The final scene shows a wide shot of the exhibit filled with students, posters, and attendees.
[Closing Frame] A blue background fades in, featuring a blurred image of Gallaudet University’s campus. The Gallaudet “GU” logo appears, followed by elegant yellow lines streaming across the screen.
Text appears: “ASL Program.”
The image slowly dissolves and disappears from the screen.
Our American Sign Language (ASL) programs offer students close collaboration with our outstanding faculty as they are introduced to the concepts woven throughout the Deaf communities, explicitly developing a critical understanding of its diversity and complexity. The curriculum and opportunities lead students to develop research and publications related to ASL and Deaf culture. Through our ASL B.A. and M.A. programs, students can enter the professional world ready to take on careers in various areas, including interpretation, sign language specialist, curriculum consultant, social work, education, museum work, and so much more.
As a part of the MA-SLED program, you’ll be prepared for an advanced career in education alongside current teachers through internships and teaching practicum.
January 23, 2025
August 22, 2024
ASL students experience life in the world’s only bilingual ASL and English university to graduate with a strong foundation in language, teaching, and Deaf Culture. Students experience scholarly research with well-published faculty and develop real-world experience through projects such as the Deaf Studies Digital Journal.
As a part of the American Sign Language (ASL) program, students will have access to state-of-the-art services and equipment in the Multimedia Lab, the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research projects, visit the world’s largest collection of historical documents on deaf people at the Gallaudet University Archives, as well as simply being fully immersed in the ASL environment of our university.
The Motion Light Lab–started in 2009–is a unique space that aims to explore new visual technologies and the role they could play in advancing the learning experience. Given the lab’s core philosophy, “what we don’t know, we will know by doing”, they successfully bring together students, interns, volunteers, and any other curious individuals to provide their unique perspective in doing research and drinking plenty of coffee.
Through providing stories in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English, Storybook Apps set out to provide children with the fun and exciting stories they deserve. Whether they are watching the story in ASL or reading it in English, children can enjoy an interactive reading experience as they develop skills in both languages.
The Deaf Studies Digital Journal (DSDJ) is a peer-reviewed journal sponsored by Gallaudet University. Through video articles, signed literature, interviews, reviews, and historical resources, DSDJ is dedicated to the promotion of quality content and works about sign language and deaf communities.
Our Professional Studies program allows you to take part in an intensive and comprehensive American Sign Language course while already in your professional field. From the basics of fingerspelling to complex grammar, at the end of your time in the ASL Connect program, you’ll receive an ASL Certificate credential.
A large part of what it means to be in the ASL Program is being an advocate of ASL. Our University was the first to lead the charge in recognizing ASL as a true language, and as a student, you have the chance to push that legacy forward. The NSLS is the nation’s largest leadership society, and joining gives students invaluable training and resources to become successful leaders and advocates of ASL and the Deaf community.
Bison TV is our very own television and online channel for students to hone their craft while they create content available for the whole class. While acting may not be your forte, ASL students could gain invaluable experience by practicing their ASL skills and getting comfortable with on-camera signing. Consider filming a news clip, sports commentary, or short video for submission to Bison TV!
Given the growing demand for education and community service employees, we recommend students take advantage of our strong internship network and get involved with internships locally or nationally to develop their skills and prepare for careers outside the classroom.
Recent internship sites include:
School Director
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Lecturer II
Manager, ASL Development
Senior Lecturer
Special Advisor to the President
SLEC Educator
American Sign Language Educator
Adjunct Faculty I - FTT
DASL50 Deaf Stories Corpus 2018 Deaf Studies Conference
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