The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure

by Carolyn McCaskill, Ceil Lucas, Robert J. Bayley

Black ASL has long been recognized as a distinct variety of American Sign Language based on abundant anecdotal evidence. The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL , originally published in 2011, presents the first sociohistorical and linguistic study of this language variety. Based on the findings of the Black ASL Project, which undertook this unprecedented research, Hidden Treasure documents the stories and language of the African American Deaf community. With links to online supplemental video content that includes interviews with Black ASL users (formerly on DVD), this volume is a groundbreaking scholarly contribution and a powerful affirmation for Black Deaf people.

     This paperback edition includes an updated foreword by Glenn B. Anderson, a new preface that reflects on the impact of this research, and an expanded list of references and resources on Black ASL.

     The supplemental video content is available online at the Gallaudet University Press YouTube Channel. Under Playlists, click “The Hidden Treasure of Black Companion Video to the Book.”

     Featured in the film Signing Black in The Story of Black ASL , produced by The Language and Life Project at North Carolina State University (Dr. Walt Wolfram, Executive Producer). Look for it on PBS.

Genres: Nonfiction, Disability, Linguistics, History, Language, Sociology

228 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2011

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly groundbreaking work in American linguistics and Deaf African American history. Too rich and thought-provoking to review just yet. One of the best scholarly works I've ever read. And watched. The DVD of cross-generational Black ASL signers is essential, peerless.

[Terynce · Rating 4 out of 5]

If we divide the book into history and structure, I really liked the history, but was less enthralled with the structure.

I'm a black, hearing, non-native ASL user.

As a doc student, I read a lot of research with APA formatted graphs. That's not where I go for pleasure most of the time. The information was wonderful, the examples as clear as they could have been in print. The book comes with a DVD that I've been unable to access, but that I'm sure would only enhance the experience.

The first time I came across this book I was citing it for a class so I read it differently. It's wonderful as a reference tool and accessible for people comfortable reading peer-reviewed journal articles.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw the author and book mentioned in an article about Black ASL and was interested in it. I am not deaf and do not know any form of sign language but I was curious to see what the author had to say and hoped to learn more about Black ASL.

It would probably not be a surprise to many that Black ASL developed due to a need and a lack of resources due to racism, segregation, etc. Factors such as location, age, socioeconomic status, etc. all play a part. The book also examines how and what exactly makes Black ASL different from ASL.

Overall, I found it really tough to read. As mentioned, I do not have much knowledge in this area and this honestly read more like an academic resources for linguists, people interested in sign language, historians, etc. but I'm not sure how useful this is for a layperson.

Also worth noting that apparently this comes with a DVD but I got the e-book instead so I wonder if it might have helped if I had experienced it via the entire multimedia experience.

Borrowed from the library and that was definitely best for me. For the right audience, though, it'd probably be an excellent resource or reference.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for allies of the Black and Deaf communities and also for linguaphiles. Results from a thorough study about what makes Black ASL distinct. History of segregation of Black Deaf community is provided as well. Super interesting.

[Mimsy]

It's hard to rate a book that reads like a research paper, but this was my first solid dive into learning more about Black ASL, and I'm grateful for the resource and looking for more.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! It gives the exact details of Black ASL and how it came about. It also showed ways to use it. Had a dvd too!!

If you are interested in Black American Sign Language..here is the book for you to learn.

[Wauktown Thumper · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had some interesting information in it but it was kind of slow. By that I mean there were times when I felt like the information was just repeating itself. It's nice to have this information out there though.

[Dacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ASL nerd, this book was so thought provoking and I still use this information in my practice of ASL everyday.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS IS A PUBLISHED LINGUISTIC STUDY. I think its a great read but it does not need to be 100% if you don't sign or are not a linguist.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is eye opening and I highly recommend it. It is a must-read for anyone in the field of Deaf Education.

[Nia Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing and genius