Brooklyn Currie is a journalist with CBC Nova Scotia.
Bev Buchanan says she's one of few people left in Nova Scotia who are native signers of MSL. After writing her dissertation on the preservation of the language, she's looking to change that.As a deaf child of deaf parents in the 1960s, Beverly Buchanan used Maritime Sign Language at her home in Halifax. But as American Sign Language became the one taught in deaf schools, MSL started to be lost. Now, Buchanan is working to preserve and revitalize the endangered language.
After decades of living in the United States, she's back home in Nova Scotia, where she was hired as the program manager for American Sign Language and Interpretation studies at the Nova Scotia Community College in Dartmouth. "The work that Bev is doing ... is not just preserving a language, but preserving an identity, a culture," said Justin Read, who learned MSL at home as a child and is now an instructor of the ASL/English interpretation program at the college.
" just something that needs to be there for future generations to look back at and see where and how sign language has evolved and changed over time," he said.Derived from British Sign Language, MSL uses two-handed spelling, unlike ASL's one-handed alphabet, and there are some different signs for different words and phrases.Beverly Buchanan demonstrates some examples of the differences between Maritime Sign Language and American Sign Language.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
People Had No Idea Subtitles Can’t Replace Sign Language Until This Woman Pointed It Out'Subtitles should be accessible for everyone, but it's not the best option. And why should members of the deaf community not be given the best option?”
Read more »
Son Points Out Everyone Who Learned Sign Language For Sister, Upsets ParentsThis teenager learned sign language to stay close to his sister, but their parents wouldn't. So he sat them down and listed everyone else who had.
Read more »
Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-sign Woods III, sign Canadian MakonzoHAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed American defensive back Lawrence Woods III and Canadian linebacker Enock Makonzo on Monday. Woods III was recently released by the B.C. Lions while Makonzo was let go by the Edmonton Elks.
Read more »
Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-sign Woods III, sign Canadian MakonzoHAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed American defensive back Lawrence Woods III and Canadian linebacker Enock Makonzo on Monday. Woods III was recently released by the B.C. Lions while Makonzo was let go by the Edmonton Elks.
Read more »
Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-sign Woods III, sign Canadian MakonzoHAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed American defensive back Lawrence Woods III and Canadian linebacker Enock Makonzo on Monday. Woods III was recently released by the B.C. Lions while Makonzo was let go by the Edmonton Elks.
Read more »
China, US agree to manage maritime risks through continued dialogueExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »