The hidden history of Martha's Vineyard Sign Language | Rhode Island PBS Weekly

Martha’s Vineyard is known as a salty escape, with a culture of its own. But few vacationers know that long before the ferry, it was home to an old American sign language. Isabella Jibilian explores the hidden history of Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language.
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[@jamesc7277]

See also: “Everyone here spoke sign language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha’s Vineyard” by Nora Ellen Groce, Harvard University Press, Published 2009.

[@user-hv8lf3rv3x]

That’s pretty damn cool

[@NancyMH-kl9wr]

Thanks for this clear exploration of the relationship between MVSL and ASL. Martha's Vineyard and its acceptance of sign language was an important part of Deaf history in the US.

[@marianavarro7797]

Wow, how interesting.

[@colleenorrick5415]

I had read that the sign language came from England along with congenital deafness with the early settlers.
No mention of Nora Groce? That’s odd.

[@christadauria4362]

I have heard about Martha’s Vineyard History as part of our Deaf Heritage History by reading the stories before. It’s very interested. Well I notice that MVSL and ASL are bit different in a fact.

[@letsgobrandon4601]

The culture is rich pretentious people. Send them more migrants