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George Veditz's Contributions To The Deaf

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George W. Veditz was best known for his attempt to capture the beauty and nature of sign language on film. “Veditz many contributions to the deaf community changed the course of deaf history during a time when deaf people were struggling to preserve their own culture and language.” ( ). Veditz was born in 1861 in Maryland, he was born hearing but became deaf when he was 8 years old because of scarlet fever. Before Veditz became sick, he spoke English and German. He became a “smooth signer” by having a tutor before he tried enrolling in school.. He applied to Maryland School for the Deaf in Federick, where he was hired as a secretary and a bookkeeper. When Veditz was 17 years old, he really wanted to apply to Gallaudet but could not afford tuition. …show more content…

Veditz’s main Tale he usually shares is The Preservation of Sign Language. Veditz has many other tales but this one is the specific tale he usually shares and has won many awards with. His singing was very unique, he never mouthed the words but only used his hands. Veditz made this film to record sign language, at a time when nobody else had done this. Once he had recorded it, he spoke at different venues and used biblical passages to make his speech have an emotional impact for his audience. Veditz’s made message of preservation and respect for sign language was very clear to his audience for many years to come. “When he begins his lecture, he appears rehearsed, but then he grows confident, and his signing becomes animated and forceful.” (Padden ). Padden shows us by this quote, how passionate Veditz is in this speech. I believe that this speech would be considered into the informative genre. Veditz is very clear about wanting to preserve the beauty of sign language without asking them to do anything. Veditz says in his speech, “We need these films to preserve and pass on our beautiful signs. As long as there are deaf people on earth there will be signing. And as long as we have our films, we can preserve our beautiful signs in their old purity.”

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