AITA for saying I’m bilingual when I know ASL?

In the lively hum of a skatepark hangout, a 16-year-old girl bonded with friends, sharing stories of language and identity. Raised with American Sign Language (ASL) as her first tongue due to her deaf family, she proudly called herself bilingual. But a new friend’s scornful rant, branding ASL as “glorified Morse code” and devoid of culture, turned the vibe sour.

Her defense of ASL’s legitimacy sparked a group chat storm. This Reddit tale signs a vibrant story of language pride and ableism, where cultural ignorance meets fierce conviction. Let’s dive into this ASL showdown and explore what it reveals about respect and identity.

‘AITA for saying I’m bilingual when I know ASL?’

This skatepark spat lays bare the sting of ableism in dismissing ASL. The girl’s bilingual claim is valid—ASL is a distinct language with unique grammar, syntax, and a rich Deaf culture. Her friend’s “Morse code” jab reflects ignorance, not fact, and denies the lived experience of Deaf communities.

Linguist Dr. Carol Padden notes in Inside Deaf Culture, “ASL is a fully developed language, recognized legally and academically, with cultural depth tied to Deaf identity.” Studies show ASL meets all linguistic criteria, used by over 500,000 Americans. The friend’s reliance on misleading sources, like the gorilla myth, fuels harmful stereotypes.

The girl’s defense was spot-on, though dropping the topic was wise to de-escalate. Her friend needs to educate herself—perhaps via Deaf-led resources. The girl could share a quick fact to nudge understanding without obligation.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit lit up like a signed poetry slam—imagine a virtual Deaf café buzzing with passion! Most cheered the girl, slamming her friend’s ableist ignorance.

But do these Reddit signs convey the full story, or are they just amplifying the drama?

This ASL clash spins a tale of pride versus prejudice, where a teen’s bilingual identity was challenged by ableist scorn. Her stand for ASL’s legitimacy was bold, but was her friend’s ignorance worth the fight? Language carries culture, and respect matters. What would you do when someone dismisses.