desegregation. The dialect is so different that other ASL users usually understand only part of what is being signed. And, in Hawaii, sign language does not reflect the teachings of Clerc and Gallaudet at all. Everybody learning ASL should be aware of these variations in case you encounter them when using the language. Remember that these accents are common, just as they are in spoken language, and be flexible. Page 36
It's More Than Just a Language, Man ASL is much more than a language. It is part of the rich collection of values, history, and ideas that make up Deaf culture. It is an integral part of the identity of Deaf people. And it is a common bond between Deaf people who often feel the hearing world does not value their culture. A noted leader of the Deaf community said, ASL is such an important part of who a Deaf person is, that to reject the language is to reject the person. She also suggested that if hearing people would widely learn to use ASL, Deaf people would lose their identity because the language would no longer belong to them.
Deaf users of ASL tend to be possessive of their language, simply because it is theirs. It is not a language forced upon them by well-meaning parents or educators who can't fully understand the difficulties of learning it. ASL is a language created by Deaf people over the years. It belongs to them. While it unites those who are Deaf, ASL separates its users from the hearing world. And, just as