Question
Who were the first sign language interpreters? (2 points)
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The history of sign language interpretation is not well-documented, but two key figures are often noted in the early development of sign language interpreting:
1. **Laurent Clerc**: A Deaf educator from France, Laurent Clerc, played a pivotal role in the early establishment of formal Deaf education in America. He co-founded the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons (now known as the American School for the Deaf) in 1817. Clerc's advocacy and teaching significantly influenced the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in educational contexts.
2. **Mary H. H. H. McKay**: While not an interpreter in the modern sense, Mary H. H. H. McKay was one of the early figures who worked towards bridging communication between Deaf and hearing communities in the United States. As the first Deaf teacher at the American School for the Deaf, she contributed to the development of interpreting practices.
These figures helped lay the foundations for subsequent developments in the field of sign language interpreting and education for the Deaf.
1. **Laurent Clerc**: A Deaf educator from France, Laurent Clerc, played a pivotal role in the early establishment of formal Deaf education in America. He co-founded the Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons (now known as the American School for the Deaf) in 1817. Clerc's advocacy and teaching significantly influenced the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in educational contexts.
2. **Mary H. H. H. McKay**: While not an interpreter in the modern sense, Mary H. H. H. McKay was one of the early figures who worked towards bridging communication between Deaf and hearing communities in the United States. As the first Deaf teacher at the American School for the Deaf, she contributed to the development of interpreting practices.
These figures helped lay the foundations for subsequent developments in the field of sign language interpreting and education for the Deaf.