American Sign Language Archives

Jaimi Lard, who is blind and deaf, feels the TATUM robotic hand to try to determine what letter it is spelling during a validation study at the Northeastern University Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex. Photo by Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

This robot uses tactile sign language to help deaf-blind people communicate independently

While many others were baking bread early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Northeastern bioengineering graduate student Samantha Johnson built a robotic arm. Now, that robot can produce tactile sign language that she hopes will enable more independence for people in the deaf-blind community.

by Eva Botkin-Kowacki August 4, 2021

Using American Sign Language while wearing an opaque mask is like “listening to a muffled message,” says Lori Whynot, the new director of Northeastern University’s American Sign Language Program. And for Whynot, who is also part of a team that interprets Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 press conferences, it’s important that the message be totally clear. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

New challenges–and opportunities–for American Sign Language users in a pandemic

The language relies upon facial expressions to convey important linguistic information. So, wearing an opaque mask is like communicating “a muffled message,” says Lori Whynot, director of Northeastern’s American Sign Language Program. And for Whynot, who is part of a team that interprets Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s COVID-19 press conferences, it’s important that the message be totally clear.

by Molly Callahan May 28, 2020

How to sign FOMO, bae, and selfie in American Sign Language

Learn how to greet people, cheer on the Huskies, and sign commonly used slang in American Sign Language.

by Cam Sleeper August 6, 2019

Harlan Lane, Matthews Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern, studied the language and culture of the Deaf community.
PHOTO: Mary Knox Merrill/Northeastern University

Remembering Harlan Lane, Northeastern professor and tireless advocate for the Deaf community

Harlan Lane, who helped establish the American Sign Language Program at Northeastern, will be remembered for being a tireless champion and advocate for the Deaf community. He died on July 13, at 82 years old.

by Molly Callahan July 15, 2019

Students who are studying American Sign Language will interpret Northeastern’s student-run production of Cabaret in an effort to make the musical more accessible to people who are deaf. Photo courtesy of Samantha Boggiano.

Life is a cabaret, old chum. And now you can read the signs about it.

Four students who are studying American Sign Language will interpret Northeastern’s student-run production of Cabaret to make the musical more accessible to people who are deaf.

by Sophia Fox-Sowell November 30, 2018

(Boston, MA 10/23/14) Northeastern University Facilities Employees, Thursday, October 23, 2014 (Staff Photo by Faith Ninivaggi)

Remembering a pioneering American Sign Language interpreter, Northeastern professor

Dennis Cokely, director of Northeastern’s American Sign Language program, whose varied and tireless work for the Deaf community has opened access among the hard of hearing, will be remembered for his generosity, depth of knowledge, and sense of caring. He died this month, just shy of his 72nd birthday.

by Molly Callahan August 22, 2018

3Qs: Keeping ASL at center of deaf culture

Recent budget cuts in parts of the U.S. have threatened the future of state schools for the deaf, creating worry that deaf children children will be pushed into mainstream schools where American Sign Language (ASL) takes a back seat to new “speaking and listening” technologies. Distinguished Professor of Psychology Harlan Lane, who founded the ASL program at Northeastern and recently wrote a book about deaf culture and deaf ethnicity in the U.S., addresses the debate between specialized vs. mainstream schools for the deaf.

by Kara Shemin August 1, 2011

American Sign Language