Born on July 12, 1919 in Lancaster, New Hampshire a well profound professor, american linguist, and well-known for his ASL skills, was born. Named William Stokoe, a man of many words, and a strong personality, he became a profound professor and representative of the American Sign Language community changing their lives forever. In 1941, he graduated from Cornell University, majoring in medieval literature, later becoming an English professor at Wells College in New York. Then soon after he made his debut to Gallaudet University, a well profound deaf university. Before starting of course he was an English professor knowing nothing about Sign language. He knew little and his first encounter with a deaf person was at a young age in which was his local blacksmith, his way of communicating was through writing. So he had to teach himself soon before teaching at Gallaudet University of course as a well profound English Professor with a passion in Middle English. Once entering the university, he was a chairman of the English department for over 15 years, helping the ASL students at the school. He was recommended to take the position by his old friends and…show more content… He dealt with people criticizing him on why he was helping the deaf community and also dealing with the hardships found in the education system. At the time, the system didn’t approve of American Sign Language as a curriculum to be taught at schools, basically being shunned away from students who could hear. But through his hard work of interpretation he left a footprint in the community. By footprint I mean his bookworks that help really define the language more. In the dictionary he co authored, the book helped all deaf and hearing students understand the linguistics of sign language as well. As also he help both communities of deaf and hearing to use more signs in the classroom when needed. It changed perspective and thoughts on how ASL was
