Preservation of the Sign Language (1913)
Featured Nonfiction
•
14m
Deaf activist signs for ASL preservation, fighting "oralism" in education.
Unlike traditional films that rely on spoken dialogue or title cards, Preservation of the Sign Language, a silent film from 1913 by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), uses American Sign Language (ASL) as its sole mode of communication.
George Veditz, a prominent figure in the Deaf community, delivers a passionate speech entirely in ASL, advocating for the preservation of sign language as a vital form of communication.
This focus on ASL as a language itself makes the film experimental. It challenges the dominance of spoken language in film and highlights the richness and expressiveness of sign language. Veditz's large gestures and facial expressions add depth to his message, creating a powerful visual experience even without spoken words.
Preservation of the Sign Language is also a historical document. It provides a window into the educational debates of the early 20th century, where spoken language was often prioritized over sign language in deaf education. The film serves as a vital record of ASL at a specific point in time, contributing to the preservation of the language itself.
The film's legacy extends beyond its historical significance. Preservation of the Sign Language stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling and the potential of film to represent diverse forms of communication.
Up Next in Featured Nonfiction
-
A Bronx Morning (1931)
Montage blends documentary & avant-garde styles. Kids play, vendors sell, families bustle. A Bronx Morning (1931) is a brief yet captivating glimpse into a New York borough awakening.
Created by a young Jay Leyda, the film transcends a straightforward documentary approach. While capturing the si...
-
San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, Ap...
A silent documentary showcasing the devastation of the 1906 disaster.
Produced shortly after the devastating earthquake and fire, San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, April 18 (1906) embodies the earliest spirit of experimental filmmaking.
While it documents the aftermath of the disaster, the fi...
-
Nanook of the North (1922)
Blends documentary and drama to depict Inuit life in Canada.
While presented as a documentary chronicling the life of Inuk hunter Nanook and his family in the Canadian Arctic, Robert Flaherty's 1922 silent film, Nanook of the North (1922), blurs the lines between documentary and staged reality. ...
