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America's Founders: Friends of the Deaf - Fall 2016 — Transcript

by GallaudetU · 2,430 words · 395 segments · language en · Watch on YouTube

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1:31Isn't this a masterpiece?
1:36This is one of the Gallaudet University's landmarks.
1:41It was created by renowned American sculptor,
1:47Daniel Chester French.
2:19French also sculpted the famous statue of Abraham Lincoln
2:23found in the Lincoln Memorial.
2:26The Memorial is located only a few blocks away from here.
2:31The statue behind me was unveiled on June 26, 1889.
2:39Gallaudet University received it as a gift
2:41from the National Association of the Deaf.
2:54Do you know the story of the two figures portrayed
2:56in this sculpture?
2:59Have you ever wondered how Deaf schools in America
3:01were founded?
3:05I am Conrad Baer and I'm going to tell you their story.
3:35Before Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet became the first principal
3:38of the first deaf school in America,
3:41he was a Yankee boy born in Connecticut.
3:53As a young man, Thomas loved to read,
3:55despite his weak vision.
3:58He also had poor health and a chronic cough.
4:02None of this kept him from his studies.
4:04One day, his brother Charles invited him
4:06to go outside and play.
4:09Thomas declined, preferring to study instead.
4:14He was preparing to enter Yale College.
4:20He took the entrance exam
4:21and received the results a few days later.
4:23Thanks to his preparation,
4:24he was able to skip his freshman year,
4:27entering Yale College as a sophomore!
4:30Gallaudet studied a variety of subjects;
4:36History, Greek, Latin, but his favorite was English writing.
4:42Early on he became involved in debate
4:46and was well-versed in a variety of topics.
4:49In the fall of 1805, Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet
4:53received a Bachelor of Arts degree.
4:56He graduated with top honors at the age of 17.
4:59A few years later, he began working at a law firm
5:04in Hartford, Connecticut.
5:08In time, the President of Yale College
5:11offered Thomas a job as a tutor at Yale.
5:15He accepted and began pursuing his Master's degree
5:18at the same time.
5:22After he graduated and received his MA degree,
5:26he decided to become a traveling salesman,
5:30selling his wares around the country.
5:33But he soon realized
5:34that he could not continue in that career.
5:38He changed his path once again
5:41and entered Andover Theological Seminary.
5:44Here, Gallaudet was once again an excellent student,
5:49devoted to Biblical history.
5:52He also traveled, telling stories
5:53and preaching the word of God.
5:56However, his health was still an issue
6:00and he realized that he wouldn't be able to continue
6:03as a traveling preacher.
6:05Gallaudet was greatly frustrated
6:06that he couldn't find his path.
6:09He sat down and prayed to God for guidance.
6:18He decided to take a break from the Seminary
6:21and return to his hometown.
6:24He wanted to spend time with his family
6:25and allow his health to recover.
6:28This trip home helped Thomas discover his pearl.
7:09Who's that girl sitting over there?
7:13Her?
7:13Yeah, who is that?
7:15She's Alice Cogswell, Dr. Cogswell's daughter.
7:17She lives next door.
7:19Well, why doesn't she play with the rest of the group?
7:20She can't she's deaf and dumb.
7:22Deaf and dumb... hmmm...
7:25Well, maybe there's a game I can play with her.
7:27Bring her over here.
7:50Hi, Alice.
7:50I'm Thomas.
7:54Hmmmm...
7:55uhhhh...
7:57This is a hat.
8:00Hat?
8:04I wonder if she knows any...
8:05any words.
8:07Let's see.
8:16H - A - T.
8:24Hat.
8:30Here, you try it.
8:45Uh...
8:47Lord, how will I ever succeed at teaching this girl?
8:56It will be a miracle if... she ever learns...
9:04<gasp> You did it!
9:09That was perfect!
9:12Hat!
9:24Thomas, you're home!
9:25Yes, sir.
9:27I'm home on break from seminary.
9:29How is your health lately?
9:31Never better! <cough, cough>
9:35I have something for that cough.
10:00You wrote that!
10:01You wrote that!
10:10You wrote hat!
10:12You wrote that!
10:15Oh, you wrote that!
10:19What's wrong?
10:20She wrote hat!
10:32No schools in America for deaf children.
10:34Indeed.
10:36We have deaf children everywhere.
10:37None of them receive an education.
10:39Which reminds me, there's something I want to show you.
10:43This book is from Royal Institution
10:44for the Deaf and Dumb in Paris, written in French
10:47by the Abbe Sicard, headmaster of the school.
10:50Children in this school converse
10:51by using a manual alphabet, signs and gestures.
10:55Abbe Sicard said that's the natural language of the deaf.
10:59In the book you'll notice there's lists of signs,
11:01a sign for a word.
11:03Much like a dictionary has words for definitions.
11:06In the very back is the manual alphabet.
11:09You'll notice that the alphabet is formed
11:12by using different positions of the fingers of one hand.
11:16This is fascinating!
11:18Have you...
11:19have you tried to teach Alice this?
11:20I mean, with this kind of information,
11:22the deaf could talk with their hands
11:23and spell with their fingers!
11:24Yes, but with no more success
11:26than we had with trying to teach her writing.
11:28She imitates our motions but it means nothing to her.
11:31Do you think you could take this book and try its methods?
11:34I would love to help her.
11:35Thank you.
12:10Thomas and Alice continued to practice
12:12their finger-spelling.
12:15Thomas also taught Alice to read and write -
12:20she learned many new words!
12:23As the weeks passed, Thomas regained his health
12:26and became stronger and stronger.
12:31He returned to the Seminary to earn his divinity degree.
12:40During this time, Alice learned how to spell her name,
12:44and continued to improve her reading,
12:47writing and finger-spelling.
12:57Dr. Mason Cogswell invited Gallaudet to speak
13:03to his wealthy friends about setting up a school
13:05for the deaf in America.
13:10Dr. Cogswell asked his friends to help him raise funds
13:14for the school and send Thomas to Europe
13:16to study methods for teaching deaf students
13:19and bring those methods back to America.
13:24Gallaudet spoke eloquently,
13:26trying to convince the group to support their endeavor
13:29and help raise the funds for a school for the deaf
13:32in America and his trip to Europe.
13:38At first the group resisted -
13:41they were uncertain that deaf children were able to learn -
13:45and they argued their differing opinions
13:48and points of view.
13:52Thomas described how he taught Alice reading,
13:54writing and finger-spelling
13:56to help her communicate.
13:57He explained that deaf children CAN learn.
14:03The committee argued and discussed
14:04while Dr. Cogswell and Thomas waited for them
14:07to make a decision.
14:10Finally, the committee approved the funding.
14:15Thomas was now ready to go to Europe.
14:21He traveled to the New York Wharf to board a boat
14:23for his trip.
16:10I don't like it at all.
16:12Speaking is not natural for the deaf children.
16:14Why are they not using signs?
16:38(Sicard interpreting) A book.
16:46A fish.
17:03Hello, I'm Thomas Gallaudet from America.
17:10I am pleased to meet you, Monsieur Gallaudet.
17:13I am Abbe Sicard.
17:17And I present to you two of my finest teachers,
17:20Laurent Clerc and Jean Massieu.
17:30What brings you here from America, Monsieur Gallaudet?
17:34Well, I'm here to observe and study your school
17:36so that we can set up a similar institution in America.
17:43Why don't you come to visit our Royal Institute
17:46for the Deaf and Dumb in Paris?
17:48I would be honored!
17:50(Sicard interpreting) So the...
17:53Let me try.
17:54Um...
17:59I feel that my gesture has improved
18:02since the presentation.
18:09(Sicard interpreting) We would love to give you
18:10a very warm welcome.
18:11Thank you, Abbe.
18:14Thank you, Laurent.
18:16Thank you, Jean.
19:11Every day Thomas observed Laurent Clerc and studied
19:15his teaching methods, taking page after page of notes.
19:25The sheer amount of information was overwhelming
19:28and it seemed impossible to absorb everything
19:32so that he could bring it home.
19:35He decided to ask Laurent Clerc to join him
19:38and help him teach in America.
19:45Me, go to America with you?
19:47Can you?
19:48My English is not so good.
19:51I'll teach you to write and you teach me signs.
19:56You need to talk to my supervisor first.
20:00We will talk about it.
20:08Gallaudet wrote a letter to Abbe Sicard asking the Abbe
20:13to allow Laurent Clerc to join him in America.
20:17Abbe Sicard contemplated the request,
20:20realizing it would be a difficult decision to make.
20:23Laurent Clerc was one of his best
20:25and most valued teachers.
20:27Many students loved Clerc.
20:29Allowing him to leave
20:30was something he'd have to consider seriously.
20:48Abbe says yes, I can go to America.
20:55You and me will go teach the children.
20:57We'll be a great team!
21:02Why are you leaving here?
21:03I've already decided.
21:04I've discussed it with my family.
21:05The decision is made.
21:07This is your country!
21:10America's not your home, this is your home!
21:13No, don't pressure me.
21:16America's got awful weather, it's humid,
21:19it's sticky, disease is rampant.
21:22You're 31, you're going to die in an unknown land.
21:24You are 40 years old.
21:25The years of your life never change,
21:28they're always the same.
21:29Yes, I am the same.
21:30I teach French deaf and dumb children.
21:32I'm proud to be French, I've lived French,
21:34I'll die French!
21:35What's wrong with you?
21:37What about the French Revolution?
21:38The French Revolution has nothing to do with America.
21:41You betray our French children!
21:43I told you, I'll only go to America
21:44for three years, that's all.
21:47I live for France, I'd die for France, just like you!
21:50Why waste your time in such a young country?
21:52Paris is 2000 years old, America is only 40.
21:56Enough of your preaching!
21:58I've already decided.
21:59I want to help my friend Thomas.
22:05This man, he has a wonderful heart.
22:08He wants to help a little girl named Alice Cogswell.
22:12There are many deaf children in America
22:13who want an education and we want to help them!
22:17But it will be tough.
22:18You don't know English; French is your language.
22:21He will teach me to write English
22:23and I will teach him sign language, that's it.
22:39Please let me help Thomas in America.
22:43He needs help.
22:45Those deaf children in America, they need an education.
22:49They need to learn our beautiful sign language.
22:57Yes... yes, you're right.
23:01I'm sorry.
23:08Thank you for understanding.
23:15I promise you, I will be back in three years.
23:43After much deliberation,
23:46Abbe Sicard allowed Laurent Clerc to go.
23:51They agreed to a three year contract.
23:57Gallaudet and Clerc set sail for America.
25:00Hello!
25:01I missed you, Alice.
25:10He's deaf, just like you.
25:15His name is Laurent.
25:20What is your name?
25:22Alice.
25:25Your sign name is Alice.
25:30His is Gallaudet.
25:34And mine, Clerc.
25:54Thomas Gallaudet, Laurent Clerc and Dr. Mason Cogswell
25:59searched long and hard for a place
26:01to establish their school.
26:04They found a building
26:06and quickly got it ready for students;
26:09painted it, set up classrooms,
26:11and prepared sleeping quarters.
26:15Gallaudet and Clerc visited families
26:18with deaf children to tell them a new school
26:21for deaf children was opening soon.
26:24Clerc trained new teachers to prepare them
26:29for the students.
26:32Dr. Cogswell was very involved in the board
26:36and continued fund-raising for the new school.
26:42Thomas Gallaudet was chosen as the school's first principal.
26:48Finally, the American School for the Deaf, ASD,
26:52was founded on April 15, 1817.
27:31Are you warm, dear?
27:32Yes.
27:46I'm going to go talk with Eddie.
27:49About what?
27:51About his future.
27:56I don't think that he's ready to listen.
28:00It's very important.
28:03Why is it so important?
28:05Can't you see that none of our own children
28:07want to help the deaf with their education?
28:11Eddie's our last son.
28:14Clerc and I, we can't keep teaching forever.
28:29Eddie, I want to give you that bible.
28:31Thank you, Papa.
28:35Have you been considering your professional future?
28:39Some.
28:40Some...
28:42Well you know that Clerc and I have successfully set up
28:45several schools for the deaf here in America.
28:51But there's still work to do.
28:54What needs to be finished?
28:55Well, we need to advance their educations,
28:59high school and college.
29:02Why don't you and Clerc continue?
29:05We're old and tired.
29:08And, not to mention, my health is declining.
29:11I was hoping that you could carry on our work.
29:16But, Papa, you're a poor man.
29:19And I'm going into business and banking and get rich.
29:24Go ahead with business if you must,
29:27but banking is far too narrow.
29:30Have you considered college?
29:32College isn't for me.
29:34I'm going to work after school.
29:37There are other kinds of riches in this world
29:40besides gold and silver.
29:43Perhaps some day you'll realize
29:44that your father was richer than you thought.
30:02Do you know about this hat?
30:04No.
30:06It represents my start in deaf education.
30:12Alice was my first deaf student.
30:18And her first word was hat.
30:21This hat.
30:23This hat started it all, and everything grew from there.
30:54I want to pass this on to you, now.
30:59Thank you, Papa.
31:02I will cherish this.
31:16I wish...
31:18no, I pray that deaf education will never end.
31:25Clerc taught me to sign and we set up deaf schools
31:29that I hope will remain forever.
31:41Don't forget that you're a wonderful teacher.
31:43You taught me how to read and write.
31:47I've been very lucky to have you as my husband.
31:58I'm going to go talk to Eddie.
32:13Mama, I don't mean to disappoint you or Papa.
32:16You won't.
32:19Do what your heart tells you to do.
32:32Any time you need help,
32:33your father and I are here for you always.
32:37Remember that, okay?
34:39Today I'm earning my degree from Gallaudet University.
34:44Gallaudet has taught me well and prepared me
34:47to become a teacher of these deaf children.
34:50They will become teachers, scientists, politicians,
34:54actors, writers, anything they want to be!
34:58It's important for us to carry on Clerc
35:01and Gallaudet's legacy of Deaf education,
35:04ASL preservation, and Deaf culture,
35:09passing them on to future generations.
35:12Don't you agree?
35:20Our student is now the teacher.
35:22He will go on to educate future generations
35:25of deaf students.
35:27Clerc, what do you think of our time spent together
35:29here in America?
35:32Fantastique!
35:37I never dreamed this would happen!
35:40I just remember long ago, when I was a boy,
35:42sitting all day at my desk and studying,
35:45until I went off to college and earned my degree.
35:48I worked many different jobs, I was a tutor, a lawyer,
35:52a salesman, and a minister, before I arrived
35:55at this position as a teacher for deaf students.
35:59And I must say, this last one has been the best.
36:02Oh, I agree!
36:05And the best part for me is you invited me to come here
36:08to America to teach sign language
36:11to our beloved deaf children.
36:14You allowed me to help you set up many schools
36:17for the deaf across the country.
36:22We have taught 41 years and now our students have grown up
36:27to become teachers of the deaf,
36:29and they are continuing our effort
36:32to spread deaf education across America.
36:35What a success!

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