education-spain.info

 In recent times a lot of scientists and researchers have become very interested in the origin of deaf communities all over the world. All of them of course have their specific questions, but the common thing in all these matters in the connection between culture and language within deaf communities. Susan Plann wrote the book “A Silent Minority: Deaf Education in Spain, 1550-1835”. This book is a careful research of the history and development of deaf education in Span from the very beginning till the nineteenth century.

This work is divided into sic chronological chapters with conclusion and epilogue.

Plann begins her book with the mentioning of Benedictine monk Pedro Ponce de Leon who worked a lot with deaf boys from aristocratic families. He lived in 16th century. That monk didn’t leave a lot of written information about his work, but according to existing information, Ponce de Leon’s method was characterized by using certain mixture of writing, signs and speaking.

After Plann presents information about other Spanish people who made their contributions to the process of deaf education. One of them is Juan Pablo Bonet. In 17th century he claimed that oral method is the best way for education of deaf people.

In 18th century after certain success of French Abbe de l’Epee in the sphere of deaf education, Spanish specialists decided to follow the example of their northern neighbor. In 1795 the first deaf school was opened in Madrid according to the decree of Charles IV. The sign language designed by l’Epee was taken as a basic at the First royal Deaf School in Madrid.

Then the War of Independence began in Spain and during this period there were two men who were working for the development of deaf education. These are deaf since birth Roberto Pradez and an abbot Jose Miguel Alea.

As for 19th century, during this time a lot of schools for deaf people were opened in main cities in Spain. But still the problem of deaf education continues to be a topic one.

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