George Veditz Final Exam

8/14/2019 George Veditz Final Exam

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Final Exam

ITPR 302



This is a summary of George Veditz’sthoughts on the topic of preserving signlanguage. He presented this

information at a the NationalAssociation of the Deaf (NAD)Conference in 1913.

This information was translated andlater transcribed by Dr. Carol Padden



The French deaf people loved de L’Epeeand celebrated his birthday every yearas a sign of their affection.

Deaf communities in France wouldgather together for banquets andfestivities and then journey to de

L’Epee’s gravesite in Versaille todecorate his resting place with flowersand green wreaths.



Deaf French people loved de L’Epeebecause he was their first teacher,most more so because he was the

discoverer of their native language.



Deaf people in France have suffered emotionallyand socio-linguistically for 33 years.

They worked towards reinstating the use of thesigned language in their schools, but weredenied this very basic request for access tocommunication

Deaf Frenchmen view their educators as cruel-

hearted and stubborn. They believe non-signersknow nothing of their feelings, desires andneeds.



German deaf people experience the sameoppression.

Veditz tells us that both German and French deaf people are jealous of American deaf citizensbecause we are liberally permitted to use thesigns in our educational and social settings.

Veditz says, “They look upon us Americans as a

jailed man chained at the legs might look upon aman free to wander at will.”



Veditz believes that “false prophets” areappearing in educational circles anddeclaring that the use of signs in schools asan instructional method is wrong.

These individuals are telling tales andconducting political actions, convincing thegeneral population that teaching deaf

children to use spoken language only is the“one best means of educating the deaf.”



Must be preserved for its own value

Must be respected for its own worth

Must not be banished or degraded inschoolrooms, churches and other publicsettings of esteem.

We must remember the masters of our

language who are gradually dying away:the Peets, the Dudleys, the Elys, theBallards…



Edward Minor Gallaudet

Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet

John B. Hotchkiss

Edward Allen Fay

Robert P. MacGregor



Veditz tried to raise money butstruggled to do so

He dreamed of documenting sermons,

stage performances, lectures andmoving motion pictures using thesigned language.



We must remember to preserve andgive thanks for the gifts God has givenus.

“A new race of pharaohs that knew not Joseph” are controlling our educationalsystem still today.

Enemies of the signed language aretruly enemies of the deaf.



• As future interpreters, pleaseremember George Veditz’s powerfulplea:

• Always work to preserve thesigned language as well as thefeelings, desires and needs of theDeaf people you serve.

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George Veditz Final Exam