Where ASL Lives: Language, Place, and Deaf Community Identity

Brenda Schertz, Teaching Professor of Linguistics and coordinator of Cornell University's ASL/Deaf Studies Program, will speak on "Where ASL Lives: Language, Place, and Deaf Community Identity". Community lecture, part of the Language, memory, future: Celebrating 250 years of language in our region event series.

For generations of Deaf people, American Sign Language has been deeply connected to place, community, history, and identity. Schools for the deaf have historically served not only as educational institutions but also as important sites where Deaf children encounter other Deaf people, acquire ASL, develop cultural identities, and establish lifelong social networks. These schools have often become anchors around which local Deaf communities, organizations, businesses, social events, and traditions develop. Rochester, New York, provides a particularly compelling example. Rochester has one of the highest per-capita populations of deaf and hard-of-hearing residents in the United States. This presentation will explore the historical, educational, demographic, and community factors that have contributed to Rochester's distinctive Deaf ecosystem—and consider what happens to a sense of place and community when the institutions that have historically anchored Deaf life begin to change or disappear.

Brenda Schertz is a Teaching Professor of ASL at Cornell University, coordinating and teaching in Cornell’s ASL/Deaf Studies Program. Brenda’s main interests include American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf studies, concentrating on Deaf culture art, film and theatre. She has coordinated Deaf film festivals in Portland. Maine and Rochester, New York.

ASL/English interpretation will be provided.