Never the Twain Shall Meet: Bell, Gallaudet, and the Communications Debate

by Richard Winefield

Throughout the last two centuries, a controversial question has plagued the field of education of the should sign language be used to communicate with and instruct deaf children? Never the Twain Shall Meet focuses on the debate over this question, especially as it was waged in the nineteenth century, when it was at its highest pitch and the battle lines were clearly drawn. In addition to exploring Alexander Graham Bell's and Edward Miner Gallaudet's familial and educational backgrounds, Never the Twain Shall Meet looks at how their views of society affected their philosophies of education and how their work continues to influence the education of deaf students today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Language

129 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick summary of this great debate. A good afternoon read. Excellent for people interested in the history of the deaf.

[erl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story, but alas, it isn't told very well. The ideological battle between Alexander Graham Bell, who advocated an oral education method for deaf children, and Edward Miner Gallaudet, who espoused the combined method of speech + sign language, rages on yet. Bell turns out to be a brilliant, stubborn, jerk, while Gallaudet is a deeply spiritual man who truly values human life. Neither seems to have consulted deaf people about what they want; but ultimately their rivalry was about whether society's needs outweigh those of the individual (Bell's position), or whether the intellectual development of each individual is of paramount importance (Gallaudet). Bell's stubbornness and arrogance are difficult to take in.

The book cites numerous primary sources, but the writing is stilted and sometimes choppy. Still, I am glad I read this brief work to better understand the different schools of thought on this issue. The book has placed me firmly on the side of Team Gallaudet.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really well written. It examines the motivations behind Bell and Gallaudet's stances, examining how neither one, no matter how well-intentioned, actually talked to the Deaf community about their views on the matter. The book discusses how oralism continues today in the form of mainstreaming, and how hearing parents tend to want their deaf children to act hearing rather than be successful.

There are chapters on each man's educational and family backgrounds that lead to the stances each eventually took in the debate and notes that the debate is still ongoing. This book is incredibly well-researched, drawing on journal entries from both men and their families, neither villainizing nor deifying either man.

While I have definite views on this debate, it is interesting how well Winefield manages to lay out the arguments for both sides and how both were deeply flawed. I think this debate is incredibly important for people to know about and I think this book describes it very well. Highly recommend.

[Mackenzie Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really neat in that it relied on primary sources and the personal diaries of Bell and Gallaudet, but until the second to last chapter it portrayed the two men as morally equal and neither one better or more controversial than the other, despite Bell being a eugenicist and the leader of the oppressive oralist movement. Perhaps that is because this book was written in the 80s.

[Jacqui Petronella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for class

[Carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Dry but informative.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though written in the 1980s, this book and its arguments still ring true. With an intense focus on the backgrounds and lives of Alexander Graham Bell and Edward Miner Gallaudet, this book seeks to demonstrate how the irreconcilable differences between these two men not only fueled the communications debate but rend the two sides asunder, possibly forever.

The book does lean toward the combined method, but it gives equal time and explanation of each method's background and philosophy, as well as both of their weaknesses. The author doesn't stop there. Each man (Bell and Gallaudet) is carefully examined, bringing their strengths and weaknesses to the table fairly. With deep insight, the author has managed to paint an amazing portrait of the communication debate and its two greatest proponents.

A short, quick read and very fascinating if you are interested at all in how the communications debate came to be, and how it might progress.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book tries to give a balanced history of the debate between the oralists and manualists in deaf education. It is a good book if you want to learn about Bell and Gallaudet and the basic history behind this ongoing debate. I like that the author locates himself in the debate and that he strives to give a balanced perspective. I didn't find the book to have a strong argument or point though and most of the information was not new to me. I found Harlan Lane's "When the Mind Hears" to be a much more compelling and engaging history with well argued, strong points.

[Gusmenary · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad wrote this book and so for the new year I resolved that I would read it. Very interesting debate about the methods of Alexander Graham Bell (telephone dud) and Gaulledet (deaf education dude). The subject didn't exactly appeal to me, but it was interesting and very informative. Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell used the vocal chords of cadavers in a machine to see how sound was made? It was like a corpse organ. Jesus Christ.

good job, pops.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two very different views on how to "help" deaf people communicate in a hearing world. Bell... yes the inventor of the phone wanted to teach them to speak. That's possible for some, but not all. The other Gallaudet who has a University dedicated to the teaching of deaf people named after him. An insightful read.

[Laural · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book - in fact, I used it for a review paper and i ended up getting a crappy grade because the teacher thought the book was biased. I didnt think it was, if so, it wasnt obvious.


easy read, and was informative⁄

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This opened my eyes to the debate between big "D" deaf culture and aural/auditory deaf. The bias is towards Gallaudet's manual approach (ASL) but it was still a pleasant read----it helped to formulate my feelings about what would work best for my daughter, Megan.

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read for sign language class.

Great history of Bell and Gallaudet, but just not that interesting too me. Nevertheless, probably great for my edification in ASL and my going to graduate school at Gallaudet.... so especially recommended if you're in that same boat.

[Rebecca Herman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Everyone interested in Deaf Educaton and SLPs who work with deaf and hard of hearing children should read this to become informed of how the communication wars (sign vs oral-only) in America began.