Deaf and dumb language one way or another, there are already many centuries of human history. However, this was far from always and not everywhere. For example, in many non-European societies sign languages were used very actively. Far from always it was a deaf and dumb language. Often, quite the contrary, such a communication system was used by fully-fledged members of society. She is very
convenient for those whose activities do not allow making noise, for hunters, warriors, and simply in those situations where there is no time for negotiations. So, for example, many people know the sign language of the people of pre-Columbian America Maya. Gesture signs were very actively used in those regions where many people coexisted nearby, using different languages in their speech: in central Africa, on the prairies of North America and even in the Caucasus. And the
Aboriginal tribe
of Australia completely developed gestures into a full-fledged system of communication and communication. As you can see, this way of exchanging information is not at all so rare for many civilizations in human history. But what was the situation in Europe? Somewhat different.
Deaf and dumb language in European history
For a long time in Europe, the situation of people with such a vice was similar to that of redheads or left-handed people - society looked at them askew, and very often they were exposed
harassment. They were considered inferior members of the society,
mentally retarded, expelled from the community, often enough sent to shelters, and sometimes they were even killed. The first famous person who came up with the idea of teaching the deaf-mute was the Italian doctor Geromino Cardano, who lived in the 16th century. He advocated training these people in writing. Already the first successes of people with disabilities have demonstrated that they are also able to learn, and having certain violations, they are not at all mentally disabled. In addition, this doctor began to create the first deaf and dumb language in the form of a primitive sign system. Thus, the first prerequisites were laid for the creation of future sign languages for this category. In modern times
, the sign language of the deaf and mute has really become more and more rapidly developing. Over the course of the 17th century, it was transformed into a full-fledged communication system, which is still used today. To a large extent, it was created by the works of churchmen Charles Michel and Samuel Heinicke. In the 18th century, the world's first school for people with similar disabilities was created.
led by deaf French teacher Laurent Clerk. Over the next two hundred years, similar schools arose throughout the Old World, as well as in
North America. Significant successes were achieved by the sound educators. In 1973, the world's first university for deaf and dumb people was formed in American Washington. It was named after Thomas Gallaudet (one of those deaf educators who made a significant contribution to the development of sign language) and is aimed at teaching disabled students from all over the world. In addition, in our time, a self-taught deaf-mute language can be bought by going to any nearby store.