Ferdinand Berthier

Deaf culture is rich and has many notable figures throughout its history. Gallaudet, Helen Keller and others are well-known names. Others receive less attention despite their contributions. Ferdinand Berthier is my favorite Deaf person so far.

Berthier, a Frenchman who was born deaf at the beginning of the 19th Century. He was 8 years old when he enrolled in the National Institute for the Deaf, a school that had already gained international fame at the time. Within two decades, a boy who had come to the school to learn literacy and basic vocational skills to become a tradesman became a senior lecturer at that same school. Berthier’s intellectual bent, his natural ability as a politician, and the influence of men such as Laurent Clerc, Roch-Ambroise Auge Bebian, and others would all combine to make Berthier one of the first major advocates of deaf culture and identity.

In Deaf History, Berthier can be referred to by one of three name signs. One sign refers to Berthier’s baldness. The second is a flat-handed O-circle near the ear, which indicates he wore either a French beret or a hat. The third name sign represents the fact that he received the Legion of Honor – France’s highest honor – for his activism for Deaf peoples’ linguistic rights and their rights as equal citizens.

His activism took many forms. In 1834 Berthier hosted the first silent dinner. In the first year of the silent banquet, it was only attended by deaf Frenchmen. But in subsequent years, hearing people such as women, journalists, and government officials were invited. The Central Society of the Deaf Mute hosted the banquets starting in 1837. Berthier founded the organization as the first to represent the interests of the deaf communities both nationally and globally, after a year of petitioning the government to create the organization. Silent banquets continue to be held around the globe and keep the tradition of Berthier and the Society alive.

Berthier learned how to further his cause by writing biographies about important figures who favored signing over oralism to educate French deaf students. Bebian was praised for his ability to communicate clearly and rationally in both his teaching and educational philosophy. In his later works, he painted a positive picture of Sicard and Massieu. However, he also criticized them for their “methodical” sign language that conformed to spoken language conventions. Clerc, on the other hand, was praised for his use of “natural” sign language to educate deaf children. A few publications of Berthier’s which stand out include his “Histoire et statistique de l’education des sourds-muets”/”History and statistics of the education of deaf-mutes” in 1836, “Notice sur la vie et les ouvrages d’Auguste Bebian”/”Note on the life and works of Auguste Bebian” in 1839, and “L’Abbe Sicard… precis historique sur sa vie, ses travaux et ses succes…”/ “L’Abbe Sicard … a historical account of his life, his works and his successes …” in 1873.

Ferdinand Berthier passed away in Paris in 1886, but his good work continues to be done for the deaf today. It is because of this that he is my favorite historical deaf figure. A child who was born in an era when deaf and mute people were considered to be “handicapped”, at best, and dumb at worst, but wanted to work as a tradesman grew up and had a profound impact on the future of millions around the globe. Men like him were responsible for the great advances in the education of deaf people, and their treatment of them. This was despite the increasing popularity of oralism.

Ferdinand Berthier Book

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