Final answer:
ASL became prominent in the US due to the value placed on sign language by deaf culture, the inclusivity movement for linguistic diversity, and the role of deaf schools in teaching and spreading the language.
Step-by-step explanation:
American Sign Language (ASL) rose to prominence in the United States post-introduction due to the establishment of deaf culture, which values sign language and traditions over oral communication methods. ASL became the principal mode of communication within the deaf community, embodying a visual language system with no verbal component, which offered a robust and complete form of communication for deaf individuals.
The ascendancy of ASL can also be attributed to the increasing recognition and respect for deaf culture in the US, fostering environments where signing is the preferred method of discourse. Further, the growing awareness and advocacy for inclusivity of diverse languages and cultures, including those of the deaf community, led to broader acceptance and use of ASL. Importantly, deaf schools and institutions played a pivotal role in the proliferation and formalization of ASL, imparting education and cultural norms that supported its use and transmission across generations.