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Island Sign: The Spontaneous Birth of a Language in Martha’s Vineyard
Long before Nicaraguan Sign Language became famous, another sign language emerged organically on Martha’s Vineyard. Due to a high rate of hereditary deafness, signing became a part of everyday public life for both deaf and hearing residents, creating a uniquely bilingual and inclusive society. This fascinating linguistic history reveals how a community adapted to its people and how Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language eventually helped shape modern American Sign Language.
