Modern Languages: American Sign Language
Discover my experiences and growth on my American Sign Language journey. Join me as I share insights, challenges, and triumphs along the way.
About Me
BIO
Outreach Activities
Outreach Activities
Club Involvement
Clemson ASL Club- Active member engaging in cultural and language events to promote awareness and inclusivity within the Deaf community on campus.
Greenville Sign Night- Regular participant in community-based signing events to practice ASL and connect with Deaf and signing communities at Starbucks in Greenville, South Carolina.
Achievements
Dean’s List Fall 2023, Spring 2024- Recognized for academic achievement with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.President’s List Fall 2024- Earned highest academic honors by maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Presentations and Research
ICRCC Student Presentation Spring 2025; Honorable Mention Presented research at a regional communication conference, awarded honorable mention for excellence on a project pertaining to Hurricane Helene for risk communication Conference.
Creative Inquiry Research for American Sign Language and Martha’s Vineyard-Collaborated on research exploring ASL and its historical and cultural significance in Martha’s Vineyard.
Independent Study Alongside Dr. Hoffman- Conducted original research on Deaf content creators’ experiences on social media platforms, with a focus on shadowbanning and visibility.
Extracurricular Activities
Coaching Clemson Paralympic Soccer- Assisted in coaching adaptive soccer, supporting athletes with disabilities in skill-building and teamwork.
Scholarship
Awarded the John D. and Alice C. Lamar Endowed Scholarship for commendable academic achievement.
Coursework
Linguistics Proficiency ASL 1010-1020 Taught in ASL These introductory courses developed foundational expressive and receptive ASL skills and provided a basic overview of American Deaf Culture, Deaf History, and the Deaf Community.
Linguistics Proficiency ASL 2010 American Sign Language II Continuation of ASL 2010, concentrating on intermediate conversational and discourse skills using American Sign Language, more complex American Sign Language grammar, reading comprehension, and composition of short stories, narratives, and dialogues with an emphasis on topics related to the Deaf community. Class is conducted totally in American Sign Language using visual-gestural communicative techniques.
Linguistic Proficiency ASL 3010 Advanced American Sign Language I Focuses on American Sign Language fluency, vocabulary development, grammatical structures of American Sign Language, use of classifiers, conversational skills, translating written texts into American Sign Language, and vice versa. Emphasis is on making formal presentations in American Sign Language.
Linguistic Proficiency ASL 4010 Designed for advanced-level students in American Sign Language. Primary goal is to further develop students’ understanding and knowledge of American Sign Language by incorporating in-depth analysis of American Sign Language’s historical development, linguistic structures, syntax, grammar, and pragmatics
Culture Competency ASL 3020 Advanced ASL II Continuation of ASL 3010. Focuses on American Sign Language fluency, vocabulary development, grammatical structures of American Sign Language, use of classifiers, conversational skills, translating written texts into American Sign Language, and vice versa. Emphasis is on making formal presentations in American Sign Language.
Culture Competency ASL 4700 Development of Sign Language and Reading Skills in Deaf Children Taught in ASL. This in-depth study of language acquisition introduced students to reading strategies for deaf children and current issues in Deaf education.
Culture Competency WS 1030 Women in Global Perspectives Cross-cultural and multidisciplinary introduction to issues facing women globally. Issues may include women and work, violence against women, reproduction and women’s health, sexuality and rites of passage, women and the weight of tradition, movements for women’s empowerment.
Culture Competency ASL 4970 Creative Inquiry in ASL Research Continuation of research initiated in ASL 3970. Students complete their projects and disseminate their research results” went to MV in place of Study Abroad
Culture Competency ASL 4050 Advanced Deaf Culture Taught in ASL. This course offered an intersectional approach to Deaf Culture and culminated in a research project on the benefits of deaf education teacher preparatory programs.
Culture Competency LANG 3710 Japanese Language and Culture Explores how language is used in society, with a focus on Japan. It examines a range of contexts, including films, TV programs, artifacts, face to face conversations, and computer mediated communication. The course introduces key theories and approaches in sociolinguistics, along with selected case studies from Japanese society.
Literature and Humanities ASL 4350 Ethics in the ASL Community Explores the fundamentals of ethics and the moral life in the American Sign Language community. This includes medical bioethics, legal obligations, and research studies with deaf people. Enhanced learning and the use of critical thinking skills are conducted on ethics among diverse populations through a variety of discourses: participating in classroom discussions, doing presentations, and writing reflective papers
Literature and Humanities Competency LANG 4550 Hispanic Film Documentary and Feature Overview of theory and discourse on Hispanic film. Through lectures, discussions, and films, students become acquainted with film as a vehicle for understanding the Hispanic World. Taught in English. Films are in Spanish with English subtitles.”
Minor in Communication Comm 3660 Agricultural Communication Risk Practice in the field of Communication with a focus on application of risk communication concepts.
Minor in Communication Comm 3660 Undergrad Communication Tutors Practice in the field of Communication with a focus on application of tutoring students in public speech at the Communication department for future presentations.
Minor in Communication Comm 4990 Independent Study Tutorial work for students with special interests or projects in communication studies outside the scope of existing courses. Worked alongside Dr. Hoffman and focused on research pertaining to Deaf content creators on social media platforms regarding shadowbanning and flagged content.
Study Away
Deaf culture is rich with its own history, traditions, and values, all centered around visual communication, community connection, and the pride of maintaining a strong Deaf identity. ASL is more than just a language; it is a cultural foundation that brings people together. Storytelling plays an especially important role in this culture, whether through signed narratives, poetry, humor, or personal experiences. These stories help pass down history and strengthen community bonds. Another major part of Deaf culture is the importance of gatherings, where Deaf individuals come together to socialize, support one another, and celebrate their shared heritage through language
Although I was not able to study abroad with my ASL major peers, I had the opportunity to travel to Martha’s Vineyard earlier this year. There, I learned about Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL), a signed language used on the island from the 1600s through the early 20th century. During my visit, I worked alongside Lynn Thorp, a woman who has played a meaningful role in keeping sign language alive on the island, inspired by her late husband’s hearing loss. Her dedication to learning both MVSL and ASL, and sharing it with others, reflects the strong cultural value placed on accessible communication and inclusion in Deaf communities.
One of the most memorable parts of the trip was visiting historic sites with Mrs. Thorp. At Abel Hill Cemetery, I saw the headstones of early MVSL users whose families helped shape the language over generations. The Martha’s Vineyard Museum provided even more insight; I learned about Alexander Graham Bell’s involvement with oralism and held an original copy of his research book, which listed hundreds of islanders he believed carried a so-called “Deaf gene.” His efforts to prevent the use of signed languages stood in sharp contrast to the inclusive signing community that once thrived on the island, where Deaf and hearing people used MVSL side by side in daily life.
What stood out most was that while MVSL and ASL share visual features and cultural importance, MVSL grew naturally within a mixed community where signing was an everyday norm for everyone.My time on the island also showed me how sign language continues to evolve.I visited Martha’s Vineyard TV, which highlights local stories, and I joined a “signing circle,” where community members learn ASL through fun and interactive activities. I even learned the origins of two signs: “twin,” which uses the signs for “girl” and “same,” and a version of “same” made by bringing two index fingers together from the cheek. These small details reminded me of how signed languages naturally grow and shift over time, shaped by the people who use them. Each activity helped me better understand how ASL culture values participation, shared communication, and the preservation of visual language as a key part of cultural identity.I am so grateful to have experienced what it is like to learn another language and immerse myself in the culture.
Growing up, I spoke Spanish and was surrounded by rich culture and history of where my parents came from. It truly gave me another perspective on respect toward others and other cultures. If I had not learned another language, I do not think I would have had such a great deal of patience that it takes to learn another language. ASL is not something I just use to communicate when it is convenient for me. I use ASL in and outside of the classroom. I use it with my classmates, I use it with my friends, I teach my children and I use it as a regular part of my life. It is not just something I am hoping will stay in my brain until I can just use it again. The effort it takes to learn this incredible language is the same effort I will take in continuing to learn and work with the Deaf community.
The connection that it has to many other Sign Language communities is beyond my imagination. I am so fortunate to have studied this language and look forward to continuing my learning journey to get better and meet other Deaf people, signers and people in the community.
One question that stayed with me is whether the Wampanoag tribe may have influenced the early development of MVSL; something I hope to explore more in the future. Overall, my trip to Martha’s Vineyard deepened my understanding of both ASL and MVSL and showed me how language, culture, and community are connected across generations. It strengthened my appreciation for the resilience of Deaf culture and the importance of protecting and valuing signed languages wherever they appear.