A few systems connect lines of distance in a huge variety of languages, aimed to fill communication gaps for diverse communities. Sign Language, Braille, and Morse Code are all important tools, but they have one thing in common: They are all mostly built on English. Now let's examine why this happens and what results it brings.
Sign Language: A Visual Tongue
For the deaf and hard of hearing, Sign Language is a rich, expressive mode of communication. Various sign languages exist in regions, each with its syntax and vocabulary. American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) are two of the most widely used.
The presence of English influence in Sign Language has historical roots. In the 18th century, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, inspired by the need for deaf education in America, collaborated with Laurent Clerc, a French deaf educator. Their collaboration resulted in the establishment of the American School for the Deaf, where French Sign Language had a significant influence on the development of ASL.
This influence became as English-speaking countries included ASL principles in their sign languages. As a result of historical relationships, the foundational elements of ASL and BSL, which originated in French Sign Language, have English connections.
Braille: Touching Words in English-Based Code
Braille helped people with eye problems by giving them a way to read and write using dots they could feel. This picture writing system, made by Louis Braille in 1824 changed the way we get to written language. It was a big turning point.
English's big role in Braille is because it's used a lot for teaching and writing books. Louis Braille, a French man, made the writing system called Braille for speaking in French. But, because it can be used by everyone, the English-speaking world has taken on Braille. This has made it grow in countries that speak English too.
Also, the literary resources available in English aided Braille's worldwide growth, making it the primary language for adoption and adaptation.
Morse Code: Decoding the Language of Telegraphy
Since its creation in the early 1830s by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail, the complex language of telegraphy known as Morse Code has been an essential means of communication. This coding system, which consisted of dots and dashes, helped in the transmission of messages along telegraph lines, serving as an innovator to modern communication technology.
The Morse Code's authority comes from its beginnings in the United States. This code was created primarily for English communication by Morse and Vail, who cleverly encoded the Latin alphabet, Arabic numerals, punctuation, and legal signals within its sequences.
Because of its historical roots and widespread use in English-speaking countries, English continued to have an impact on the Morse Code as telegraphy spread around the world. This change established its roots in the English language.
Morse Code Translator technology, which allows for simple translation and decoding of Morse Code messages across languages and cultures, has increased its relevance in today's digital landscape.
Implications and Adaptations
The high level of English in these international languages has advantages as well as disadvantages. On the one hand, it promotes consistency and simplicity of learning across borders, thus improving global communication. The widespread use of English in education, technology, and literature aids in the accessibility and distribution of these languages.
The primary use of English in these systems, on the other hand, may create difficulties for non-English speakers. Learning Sign Language, Braille, or Morse Code may require struggling with English-based structures and terms, which can cause challenges for those not familiar with the language.
Conclusion
The connection between international languages like Sign Language, Braille, and
Morse Code and English has historical, educational, and practical roots. While this has increased their global reach and accessibility, it has also raised questions regarding inclusion and different languages.
Efforts to promote changes, translations, and equality within these languages continue, to make them more accessible and flexible to people from a variety of languages. Understanding English's influence in these international languages ultimately motivates us to push for equality and equal access to communication tools for all.
