Lecture Notes: The Development of Sign Language in Nicaragua

Introduction

• Focus on the development of language among deaf individuals in Nicaragua, particularly during the 1980s.
• Highlight on Maria, a deaf individual who has been isolated and lacked language skills.

Maria's Story

• Maria Noname was born deaf and isolated from both people who could help her and those with similar disabilities.
• Her communication was limited to simple gestures.
• She couldn't communicate basic personal information like her age or name without visual aids (e.g., showing pictures or papers).
• Example of limited communication: Maria indicated her father was shot three times using the gesture "three".
• Maria missed the critical period for language acquisition, which typically closes between age 7 and puberty.

The Nicaraguan Situation Pre-1980s

• Many deaf Nicaraguans lived in isolation, not encountering others with similar disabilities.

Post-Nicaraguan Revolution (1980s)

• New government initiatives aimed to improve the lives of deaf individuals by bringing them together.
• Efforts to teach an existing sign language failed as children showed little interest.
• Children began developing their own way of communicating.

Judy Kagel's Involvement

• Linguist Judy Kagel was called to Nicaragua to investigate the emerging communication among deaf children.
• Initially thought there was a full-blown sign language in Nicaragua.
• Discovered children were using mimicas and mime gestures, not a fully developed sign language.

Development of a New Language

• Children were found to be communicating more complexly than anticipated.
• Kagel witnessed the birth of a new language, highlighting that language requires a community and a trigger to develop.
• This development might parallel the historical emergence of human creativity and language.

Language Essentials

• Language does not necessarily require a voice; it is a fundamental human trait.
• Syntax is crucial for communication, forming complex rules that govern languages.
• All 6,300 human languages have syntax, which is the ability to organize information hierarchically.
• Syntax allows for novel sentence construction, storytelling, prophecy, and deception.

Conclusion

• The development of language among Nicaraguan deaf children demonstrated the natural human ability to create and adhere to linguistic rules.
• Highlights the importance of community in language development and the innate human capacity for language.