(asl) literacy and asl literature: a critical appraisal andrew pj byrne a dissertation submitted to th

214 Pages·2013·4.38 MB·English

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) LITERACY AND ASL LITERATURE:
A CRITICAL APPRAISAL

ANDREW P. J. BYRNE

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN EDUCATION
YORK UNIVERSITY
TORONTO, ONTARIO

October 2013

© Andrew P. J. Byrne, 2013
ABSTRACT

While there has been widespread acceptance of American Sign Language (ASL)
as the language of instruction in residential schools for native/non-native ASL students
and in colleges and universities as a foreign language, there has been little research on
defining ASL literacy and ASL literature. In addition, while there has been academic
debate on the existence or nonexistence of ASL literacy, there have been no studies that
have defined and have described the characteristics of ASL literacy and ASL literature.
To fill this void, this study answered the following research questions: (a) At a time when
there is increasing recognition of ASL literacy, how would ASL literature be defined? (b)
What are the features that characterize ASL literature? (c) What would such a literature
comprise (e.g., genres)? To what extent is there a comprehensive taxonomy of genres
captured in VHS and DVD publications? (d) What are examples of ASL literary works
included in this taxonomy? A qualitative research design is used (Denzin & Lincoln,
2000). The methodology utilized was a cross-case analysis of five interviews (four
individual interviews and one focus group interview) using the constant comparison
method where the information is categorized into responses (Hewitt-Taylor, 2001). Eight
native ASL respondents in the field of ASL and Deaf Studies who are knowledgeable and
have expertise with ASL literature were contacted and interviewed. The rationale for this
study was that such an investigation of ASL literacy and ASL literature will provide
research in the field on this neglected topic. Such a study would have value and
importance to the ASL culture and ASL community, who cherish the values embedded in
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ASL literature, as well as accomplish education goals to instruct native/non-native ASL
students with quality ASL literature.
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DEDICATION

To loving memory of my son, Austin Andrew Byrne
June 15, 1994 – May 2, 2013

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Only my name is on the cover of my dissertation but many people have made a
contribution to my work. The following people should be acknowledged and thanked for
their assistance, encouragement, patience, and time.
My dissertation had been an invaluable learning experience but with difficulties
and frustrations at times. God had made my journey possible from the start to the end.
“What is impossible with man is possible with God” (NIV, Luke 18:27). God has my
endless thanks for making my dissertation possible.
Without my beloved wife’s constant love, support, and encouragement in the last
10 years, my dissertation would never have been complete. Julia has my infinite
gratitude. In addition, thanks to our wonderful son Alex for taking care of our
granddaughter Selena when Julia and I were busy with our schoolwork.
My dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and support of
my supervisor, Dr. Connie Mayer, and the committee members, Drs. Pam Millett and
Sandra Schecter. Their insightful comments and constructive criticisms helped guide me
to the successful completion of my work.
When I was accepted into the Doctoral Program in Education at York University
in 2003, I was uncertain of a topic for my dissertation so I asked for Heather Gibson’s
advice. She suggested beginning with the focus on ASL literacy, a seed that became an
important part of my dissertation.
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I am deeply grateful for Dr. Jean Andrews and the Department of Deaf Studies
and Deaf Education at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, where I have been teaching
for 4 years, for their support and encouragement. Whenever I faced a challenge in writing
a difficult part of my dissertation, I could easily trot over to Dr. Andrews’ office, which is
just beside mine, and ask for her support. I deeply appreciate her willingness to assist in
every way she could.
A special thanks goes to Dr. Sam Supalla for allowing me to use the University of
Arizona ASL Literature Collection inventory for my dissertation.
Financial support from Cain and Chrisy Chaisson allowed me to attend a public
defence of my dissertation proposal on December 14, 2011. Without their support, I
would not have been able to proceed to the final step of my dissertation. They have my
special thanks.
My mere expression of thanks to Kate Lewis and Bonnie-Lyn Barker does not
suffice for their ASL/English interpretation of my dissertation proposal defence on
December 14, 2011, and my final dissertation defence on June 25, 2013. They have my
gratitude.
For any errors or inadequacies that may remain in my dissertation, the
responsibility is completely my own.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract …………………………………………………………………… ii

Dedication …………………………………………………………………… iv

Acknowledgments …………………………………………………………… v

Table of Contents …………………………………………………………… vii

List of Tables …………………………………………………………………… x

List of Figures …………………………………………………………………… xi

Chapter One: Introduction …………………………………………… 1

History of ASL as a Language and Its Relationship to ASL Literacy
and ASL Literature …………………………………………………… 3

Chapter Two: Literature Review …………………………………… 10

Conceptualizations of Literacy and Literature …………………… 10

Conceptualizations of ASL Literacy and ASL Literature …………… 23

Current Notions of ASL Literature …………………………………… 42

Chapter Three: Methodology …………………………………………… 46

Participants and Context …………………………………………… 46

Data Collection Procedures …………………………………………… 50

Research Questions …………………………………………………… 51

Treatment of the Data …………………………………………………… 53

Validation of Data …………………………………………………… 55

Chapter Four: Findings: The Characterization of ASL Literature …… 56

A Definition of ASL Literature …………………………………… 56

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Summary of a Definition of ASL Literature …………………………… 66

Features of ASL Literature …………………………………………… 68

Summary of Features of ASL Literature …………………………… 70

Conclusion …………………………………………………………… 71

Summary of Findings: The Characterization of ASL Literature …… 73

Chapter Five: Findings: The Taxonomical Genres of ASL Literature … 75

Taxonomy of ASL Literature Genres (Before the Interviews) …… 77

Responses to the Taxonomy of Genres of ASL Literature …………… 83

Revised Taxonomy of ASL Literature Genres …………………… 98

Summary of Findings: The Taxonomical Genres of ASL Literature …… 104

Chapter Six: Discussion and Conclusion …………………………… 109

Summary of Research Design, Participants, Research Questions, and
Findings …………………………………………………………… 109

Findings …………………………………………………………… 110

Contributions of This Study …………………………………………… 124

Limitations …………………………………………………………… 129

Future Research …………………………………………………… 129

Bibliography …………………………………………………………………… 133

Appendices …………………………………………………………………… 154

Appendix A: A New Taxonomy of ASL Literature Genres …………… 154

Appendix B: A New Corpus of ASL Literary Works …………… 155

Appendix C: A Copy of Office of Research Ethics (ORE) Approval
Letter …………………………………………………… 202

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Appendix D: Dr. Samuel Supalla’s Letter of Permission …………… 203
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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: The Distinction Between Orality and Literacy ………………… 11

Table 2: The History of the Etymology of the English Word Literacy … 13

Table 3: The Different Types of Literacies ………………………………… 17

Table 4: Existing Definitions of ASL Literacy ………………………………… 24

Table 5: A New Definition of ASL Literacy ………………………………… 26

Table 6: Existing Definitions of ASL Literature ………………………… 32

Table 7: Elements of Literature Applied to ASL Literature ………………… 38

Table 8: Structural Division of Bird of a Different Feather by Ben Bahan … 39

Table 9: Research Questions and Sources to Use to Answer the Questions … 43

Table 10: Inclusion and Exclusion of ASL Literature Genres ………………… 72

Table 11: Qualities of “Good” Literary Works ………………………………… 116

Table 12: A New Definition of ASL Literature ………………………………… 125
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