"Partially deaf due to a childhood illness, Gerald Shea is no stranger to the search for communicative grace and clarity. In this eloquent and thoroughly researched book, he uncovers the centuries-long struggle of the Deaf to be taught in sign language--the only language that renders them complete, fully communicative human beings. Shea explores the history of the deeply biased attitudes toward the Deaf in Europe and America, which illogically forced them to be taught in a language they could neither hear nor speak. As even A.G. Bell, a fervent oralist, admitted, sign language is "the quickest method of reaching the mind of a deaf child." Shea's research exposes a persistent but misguided determination among hearing educators to teach the Deaf orally, making the very faculty they lacked the principal instrument of their instruction. To forbid their education in sign language--the "language of light"--is to deny the Deaf their human rights, he concludes." -- Publisher's description

In the beginning was the word -- Language in air, language of light -- The age of darkness -- The enlightenment : the age of Bébian -- France comes to America -- The banquets of the deaf -- The Congress of Milan : the Hundred Years' War -- The debate in England : Bell v. Gallaudet -- Helen Keller : a false symbol -- Bébian reborn : the arrival of William Stokoe -- To sign is to speak -- Milan is still, and always, today -- Language in electrons -- Picture a classroom -- Appendix 1. A mortal trinity -- Appendix 2. The handshapes of American Sign Language.