Ferdinand Berthier is regarded as a pioneer in the fields of Deaf rights and culture. Though it started off as a personal struggle, his journey quickly turned into an incredible legacy that still influences and inspires how we think about Deaf education and rights. Know all about how he created history for deaf community.
Who was Ferdinand Berthier?
Ferdinand Berthier was born on September 30, 1803 and was a popular figure in nineteenth-century France. He was known for his dedication to the deaf community and their rights. Born in Louhans, France, he faced the challenges of deafness from a young age. His path brought him to the National Institute for the Deaf in Paris, where he flourished academically before rising to the position of dean and recognised teacher.
Berthier’s parents had anticipated that he would pick up some basic literacy and technical skills to get ready for a career as a carpenter, but according to his Google description, he really did well in school and was inspired to become a teacher by his teachers.
Berthier thrived under the guidance of Abbé Roch-Ambroise Sicard and was greatly impacted by his instructor, Roch-Ambroise Auguste Bébian, a hearing person who was fluent in French Sign Language. Notable deaf students Jean Massieu and Laurent Clerc, who went on to become teachers, also served as inspiration for him.
The main focus of Berthier’s legacy is his unflinching support of sign language as the deaf people’s natural language and as being essential to their social and cognitive development. He emphasised that deaf people shouldn’t try to blend in with the hearing community and instead should be proud of their identity and language.
He had also organized the 1st silent banquet for Deaf Frenchmen in 1834 and in the following years, women, journalists, and government officials also began to attend the annual event.
The Société Centrale des Sourds-Muets de Paris, the first deaf communal organisation in France, was established in 1838 by Berthier. This society offered essential services like social support, job aid, and education.
Berthier’s influence was not limited to his classroom. His many publications and papers have influenced deaf advocacy and education all around the world. He was the first deaf person to be awarded France’s highest civilian honour, the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, in 1849.
His endeavours had a key role in promoting the use of sign language and highlighting its importance in Deaf culture. He recognised the contributions of the sign-language poets and deaf artists of his time in his literary works on the history and culture of the deaf.
Google Doodle Celebrates Ferdinand Berthier’s 220th Birthday
In 2023, Google created a Doodle to commemorate Ferdinand Berthier’s 220th birthday. This Doodle honoured his outstanding contributions to education and the deaf community. Berthier, an advocate and instructor for the deaf.
As per Google description, “Berthier remains one of the key activists for Deaf rights, and his efforts advanced education and perception of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community across Europe and America. Today, silent banquets are still held around the world.”
He received recognition for his innovative work establishing organisations, advancing sign language, and defending the rights of the deaf. Google’s Doodle honoured his lasting contributions and the inspiration he still offers to the global deaf community and its allies.
The drawing, which showed Berthier signing the word “love” in French Sign Language, perfectly captured Berthier’s personality. This memorial bears witness to his persistent love for and dedication to Deaf culture.
Ferdinand Berthier’s Death
Ferdinand Berthier was 82 years old when he died in Paris on 12th July, 1886. The cause of his death is linked to old age.
