History of Deaf People
Jun 24th, 2008 by admin
In recent times the interest towards first deaf communities increases. And it is normal that a lot of specialists are interested in such question as language and communication within such community. One of the significant works on this topic was written by Susan Plann, it is called “A silent minority: deaf education in Spain, 1550-1835”. This book represents detailed research dedicated to the development of deaf education from 16th century till the beginning of 19th century.
This work consists of six chapters with conclusion and epilogue. Plann begins her work with presentation of the activity of Benedictine Pedro Ponce de Leon. He was a monk at the San Salvador monastery in Ona. He taught deaf boys from rich and noble families who have enough funds to pay for such education for their children. That monk used the mixed method of education which comprised sign language, writing and speaking. Maybe those deaf students were the first founders of the first deaf community in Spain. But this thought is not confirmed, because there is no exact facts which could prove such theory. Further Susan Plann introduces to readers work of other deaf educators, one of them is Juan Pablo Bonet, who lived in 17th century. His method of deaf education was based on oral practice. Plann doesn’t agree with such approach to the deaf education, because as she claims, deaf people become really handicapped only when they are taught by methods which are not suitable for them.
The new period in the sphere of deaf education in Spain began thanks to the work of French specialist Abbe de l’Epee in 18th century. With the introduction of his sign language, the deaf education entered in the new stage of development. In 1975 the first Royal School for Deaf was opened in Madrid.
Before the War of Independence this school has a success and on that time two remarkable teachers were working there. They were def from birth Roberto Pradez and clergyman Miguel Alea. The work of the last one is remarkable because it demonstrates the connection of language, thought and speech of deaf people. Alea came to conclusion that with time sign language can be complicated as well as oral language.