Connecticut researchers uncovering potential of Nicaraguan Sign Language
Sep 17th, 2008 by Jon Posted in Nicaragua News | No Comments
Nicaragua’s sign language has become the interest of researchers at the Wesleyan University in Connecticut. What make’s Nicaragua’s signing so interesting from the rest is that it is a new language developed over the past 30 years. This provides a rare opportunity for academics to study the development, acquisition, and adaptation of a language on a young population.
Because the language is only 30 years old, younger Nicaraguans use a more sophisticated vocabulary than older signers. These younger signers have created their own words and adaptations and thus shaping a completely new language in the process.
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When I read this report this morning I was amused. Why? Because this past March when I was in Nicaragua with the team, we spent time with NSL signers. The irony here is that at the time we didn’t understand the significance of what we were witnessing.
We were at the Vineyard school in Bluefields, which looked like any other school in Nicaragua, but with the exception of a special classroom tucked away in the corner. This visit was an impromptu visit which started as a passing remark by Pastor Ed Jaestchke of Verbo ministries.
We ended up spending a good hour with the children in the class. Even though we did not know how to sign back to them, the teachers helped with translation from English to Spanish then to Sign.
I didn’t feel awkward at all in front of that class. Maybe it’s because my profession is sensitive to students with special needs, or maybe it’s because I was already way outside my comfort zone. Either way, the kids loved having us there… little did we know that they are the pioneers of a new language in Nicaragua.
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