urbanek2525 t1_j9d5e9l wrote on February 21, 2023 at 1:23 AM

Reply to comment by ASoloTrip90000 in [OC] % of American students taking a foreign language class by state by ASoloTrip90000

Is Spanish a "foreign language" in the US, or does it just mean, "foreign to the student"?

ASoloTrip90000 OP t1_j9d5y4h wrote on February 21, 2023 at 1:28 AM

The terms "foreign language," "world language," and "language other than English" are often used interchangeably even though they are not the same. For example, most schools in California have Spanish classes for both native and non-native speakers. Likewise, it is common to see ASL housed in "foreign language" departments. Truth be told, I just used the term "foreign language" since I thought it would be most recognizable to the reader.

betterpinoza t1_j9dtlm8 wrote on February 21, 2023 at 4:41 AM

Housing ASL with foreign languages makes sense. Despite the name, the grammar has little to do with English. I'm pretty sure it's based off French sign (and thus French) and was made by some dude who was either Fench or loved French.

Hell, it's apparently considered a creole of French Sign.

urbanek2525 t1_j9dtzj1 wrote on February 21, 2023 at 4:45 AM

That makes sense. Good explanation.

formerlyanonymous_ t1_j9dpvqh wrote on February 21, 2023 at 4:07 AM

Texas allows not only ASL but certain computer programming languages as well.