In celebration of Deaf History Month (March 13 – April 15, 2014), the DC Public Library presents A Film Screening and Discussion of George W. Veditz’ “Preservation of the Sign Language” (1913) Monday, April 7, 2014 6:00 – 8:00 PM GREAT HALL Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library 901 G Street, NW Washington, DC About the Film: George William Veditz (August 13, 1861 – March 12, 1937) was a former president of the National Association of the Deaf (from 1904 to 1910) and was one of the first to film American Sign Language. He created his historic film “Preservation of the Sign Language” in 1913 in response to growing concerns over the rise of the oralist movement, which sought to suppress the use of American Sign Language in deaf educational settings. Veditz ends his famous speech with: As long as we have deaf people on earth, we will have signs. And as long as we have our films, we can preserve signs in their old purity. It is my hope that we will all love and guard our beautiful sign language as the noblest gift God has given to deaf people. Veditz strongly believed that the use of film media was the best way to preserve American Sign Language for future generations. To illustrate Veditz’ mission, this film contains eight vintage Sign Language performances taken from films in the Gallaudet University Archives. Included are performances by George Veditz-Preservation of Sign Language, E.M. Gallaudet- Lorna Doone, E. A. Fay- Dom Pedros Visit, J. Hotchkiss -Memories of Old Hartford, and more. Each film is introduced by Brian Malzkuhn who provides a brief biographical sketch of each signer. A portion of the film is shown followed by a comparison of some of the older signs with contemporary sign formation. 90 minutes. Silent film, in American Sign Language. ASL / Voice interpreters will be present. Printed transcripts of the speeches will be available. This film is shown with permission from Sign Media Inc., 4020 Blackburn Lane, Burtonsville, Maryland 20866-1167 signmedia For more information, contact Janice Rosen, Librarian for the Deaf Community, Adaptive Services Division. Voice or videophone (202) 559-5368. Email: [email protected]
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 13:21:57 +0000
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