Hanna Mignano

Interpreting Practicum Fall 2021

10/27/2021

Professional Development

1 hr. 30 min.

Bilingual Milestones

This lecture was a nice source of practice for receptivity, and to learn a bit more about

Gallaudet's history and their current mission of intersectionality and diversity. The lecture was led by

Dr. Laurene Simms. She describes sign language as a “creole language” , because it is a confluence of

many different ethnic languages, from French, Mexian , Black, and Martha's Vineyard sign language.

She described the history of Clerc, the establishment of Gallaudet University which was first chartered

in 1864, and how the university has evolved through the years to be at the forefront of the fight for deaf

rights. Present day, their values are identity, intersectionality, and diversity. Dr. Simms then delved into

the subject of bilingualism as not a 2 dimensional definition, but a continuum of development and use

of more than one language. We learned about the varying degrees of language development and

proficiency ie. Semilingual, monolingual, incipient and dynamic language, etc. Dr. Pamela KD Wright

then took a turn to educate us a bit about the history of Stokoe Casterline and Cronenberg and the

significane of SimCom communication in the Deaf community.