Avast ye scurvy dogs! Dorothy Casterline, the lass who made American Sign Language official, has set sail for Davy Jones' locker at 95 summers.
2023-08-16
She be joinin' forces wit' two learned mateys at Gallaudet University fer craftin' the first ASL dictionary, settin' the course fer a bloomin' Deaf identity these past 50 years, arr!
In the good ol' days, a feisty lass named Mary Beth Cooper set sail on a mighty adventure, armed with nothing but her quick wit and a desire to conquer uncharted linguistic territories. She sought to capture the wild and untamed spirit of American Sign Language (ASL) and give it a proper place in the annals of history.Mary Beth, ye see, was no ordinary lass. She joined forces with two esteemed professors from Gallaudet University, a place known fer moldin' the minds of deaf scholars. Together, they embarked on a grand quest to create the very first dictionary fer this glorious language of the hands.
Arr, the sea of sign language was vast and unexplored, but Mary Beth and her trusty mates were determined to chart its mighty waves. They worked tirelessly, combing through the signs, sifting through centuries of deaf culture and history. Their mission, ye see, was to lay the foundation fer a mighty Deaf identity, one that would flourish and thrive fer generations to come.
Their dictionary, me hearties, became the Holy Grail fer sign language enthusiasts across the seven seas. It contained the treasures of ASL, with its myriad of signs and meanings, all captured within its pages. From the simplest word to the most complex concept, Mary Beth and her crew ensured that no stone was left unturned.
Over the years, their dictionary became a beacon of hope fer the Deaf community. It ignited a spark, a fire in the hearts of those who felt their language had been cast aside like a forgotten treasure. Thanks to their efforts, ASL grew from strength to strength, becoming a powerful symbol of Deaf pride and identity.
So, me hearties, let us raise a mug of grog to Mary Beth Cooper and her trusty mates. They may not have sailed the high seas or battled fearsome pirates, but their legacy be one that will forever be etched in the history of the Deaf community. Let their tale inspire ye to chase yer own dreams, no matter how uncharted the waters may be.