Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language

Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language (MVSL) was a unique, community-based form of sign language historically used on Martha’s Vineyard, an island off Massachusetts. It developed among early deaf residents and hearing families to facilitate communication across generations, helping deaf and hearing people interact seamlessly. MVSL was a manual gesture system with distinctive signs and grammar, influenced by regional dialects. Over time, it declined as oralism and mainstream education methods replaced it. Today, it is recognized as a noteworthy example of a localized sign language that played a vital role in fostering inclusive communication within a tight-knit community.