tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645352207649768393.post7336353382908938955..comments2023-08-06T03:39:19.926-04:00Comments on Alpha Theta Phi Chapter - Phi Theta Kappa - LaGuardia Community College: Where does Sign Language in a Spoken World of Language Fit?Alpha Theta Phi at LaGCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09757930377162325355noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645352207649768393.post-14210494143816315002010-07-17T17:04:35.794-04:002010-07-17T17:04:35.794-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645352207649768393.post-33383795094509795332010-07-17T17:02:27.348-04:002010-07-17T17:02:27.348-04:00Hello Elizabeth!
Thank you for your response.
T...Hello Elizabeth!<br />Thank you for your response. <br /><br />To answer a few of the things that you mentioned, It is true that not every person uses sign language who are deaf of hard of hearing. In America approximately half a million of Americans that are deaf or hard of hearing use ASL according to ASLInfo.com. Compared to the 28 million American who are hard of hearing or deaf, that is really not many at all. The word “silent” was not literally, as every human alive has a “voice” in that they have something to say whatever it may be. However, when there are language barriers and one is not able to effectively communicate they are left out until there is a way that they are informed of the subject matter if they ever do.<br /><br /> My husband who was born high tone deaf and is hard of hearing never learned sign language either and hearing aids did not help him at all. His parents said he had ears and needed to use what he had, but I have seen the struggle that he has had to go through as well as my many friends who are hard of hearing or deaf. I believe that it is important that communication should not have to be that way. Regardless whether one uses sign language or not there needs to be an effective bridge between the hearing and deaf or hard of hearing. I also know that reading lips is not a simple task either as many lip movements can be confused with other words, when one sports a mustache or has an accent. I do not know of many things that are simple in this world especially learning a new language. It is something that I as a hearing person work on all the time. I am learning ASL and I have signed for many years but more as “contact signing” than ASL. However I know through personal experience it has come in very handy. I have never had a bad experience with signing rather I have only been encouraged to continue learning. While it does take many years to learn ASL, it is not for a waste of time and if someone wants something bad enough they will work to get it.<br /><br />Your question about how do we get everyone involved in learning the language? I believe and my opinion is that people first need to get beyond “fixing” their deaf or hard of hearing children. Many hearing parents do not learn sign or attempt, but that can change once their perceptions of deaf and hard of hearing change. There needs to be more exposed to the language and it needs to be more mainstreamed such as on TV, then it will become more accepted. As I mentioned in my article there are shows such as Sesame Street, Blue’s Clue’s, CSI, and Law and Order to name a few that are bringing sing language to the sight of millions. I remember when my daughter was in kindergarten, she was learning French. While that was nice I think that sign language in the early grades for children is better. Baby Einstein sign language videos are also big now - a - days, and hearing people are seeing that their children when they do know sign are less fussy and can communicate more effective. The bottom line though is that we need more advocates that can educate the public to the importance of learning sign as well as somehow developing a more universal sign so that communication around the world is more effective.Chrisitna Purpurahttp://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=c8e99c1fec749a2a8dc278e7d22150d9&#!/tlcaanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645352207649768393.post-91280822703929707262010-07-17T15:34:42.840-04:002010-07-17T15:34:42.840-04:00This is a very good point, deaf and hard of hearin...This is a very good point, deaf and hard of hearing perons don't only use sign langauge. However, I think this essay was focusing on those who do and pleading for a universal sign langauge. Those of us who hear perfectly face the langauge barrier when traveling to another country which makes communicating difficult. It's similar for those who use different types of sign language and it could be helped by creating a uniform langauge across the globe where it could facilitate communication for them. It's hard enough already to find someone who can sign in the first place, as Elizabeth pointed out.Lilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5645352207649768393.post-46559021762316187042010-07-16T08:35:48.177-04:002010-07-16T08:35:48.177-04:00The deaf and hard of hearing world is made up of v...The deaf and hard of hearing world is made up of various people with different backgrounds, languages, communication modalities, educations, technology usages, and such. Not every person who is deaf or hard of hearing use sign language. A small percentage of deaf and hard of hearing people in America use pure American Sign Language. <br /><br />Not every deaf or hard of hearing person's world is 'silent'. We all hear and not hear in different ways. For example, I am completely deaf in my left ear and have a mild-moderate loss in my right ear (depending on the frequencies). I did not grow up using sign language. I was mainstreamed, wore hearing aids, and relied on lip reading and clear and understandable speech. There are others who have better hearing than I do who grew up using sign language, just as there are others who are profoundly deaf in both ears who do not use sign language.<br /><br />As you can see, it is not so simple. <br /><br />Yes, it would be nice if we all knew sign language. Sign language is a beautiful and useful language. But, for the average person it can take years to learn and use sign language correctly and comfortably. <br /><br />Because a small percentage uses sign language, how do we get everyone involved in learning sign language? I am having trouble convincing some families to use sign language with their deaf children. Even families who are willing to use sign language with their child have trouble finding the time and resources to learn and use sign language effectively and consistently. Remember, it can take the average person years to learn and use sign language comfortably. This means that the deaf child, if not in presence of fluent or native signers, will receive the brief and choppy version of sign language. <br /><br />Ay, like I said it is complicated.<br /><br />Elizabeth, (e from www.ehwhathuh.com(ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14083815632946421224noreply@blogger.com