Chapters 11-21 For Hearing People Only

Chapter 11 - I heard that there are new, nonracist signs for Korean, Chinese, and Japanese that don’t involve reference to slanting eyes. Would you please describe these, and any other new signs regarding ethnicity or nationality that come to mind?

            ASL is always evolving and old signs are being replaced by new signs. There is the sexist, racist, ethnic and religious bias as in other languages. In many sign languages, the different cultures are no longer a sign that include facial differences, such as slanted eyes, but a sign representing the shape of the country they are from. The cultures themselves came up with the new signs as they refer to themselves. Not all signs of different cultures are bad or offensive. It is up to the different cultures to change the signs for them to use for themselves and other sign language to learn and use them. Never thought how insulting some signs could be or that they could be offensive.

Chapter 12 – I want to learn bigger signs.

            To improve your signing, you  could start with the library however the internet is a great source to watch signing. You could also go to book stores to invest in signing books. To actually make bigger signs, you have to keep in mind that signing is normally from top of head to waist, and shoulder to shoulder. You need to stand back a little further when signing with someone else so as to have room to move freely. The main thing is to keep practicing in order to get better.

Chapter 13 – I’ve noticed that when someone uses the ILY sign in public, some of my Deaf friends have dismayed expressions on their faces. Don’t they like it?

            The ILY sign wasn’t really used much until President Carter used it since he learned it from some Deaf supporters. He was photographed making the sign to a group of Deaf people on sidewalk in a parade and it became a famous sign. The problem is that it is so overused. The actual meaning of I Love You is almost lost as it has become so used. It now seems to mean, “Hiya” which upsets many Deaf. Since it is used so much and does not have original meaning…Deaf people will make faces as it doesn’t truly mean I Love You. Never thought it would upset the Deaf….I now understand how it does.

Chapter 14 – I know it takes a great deal of practice, but do you have any information on how to better accomplish fingerspelling?

            Having someone tutor you can make a difference. You have to want to get better at it and as you do make the movements clear, not so much worry about the speed. Any spare time run through the alphabet. Practice a poem or song over and over. To do clear signs you have to have good dexterity, so practicing with a rubber ball to gain strength will help. The main than is to practice with another signer and or practice daily alone. Find something that can strengthen you fingers to sign clearly to another.

Chapter 15 – Should all hearing people be required to learn signing, and if so, what are the absolute essentials?

            There is belief that all children should learn fingerspelling starting in preschool or first grade. There are many reasons for this. Young children learn languages easier than adults, good practice for eye – hand coordination, good to have in an emergency such as choking, and it a survival skill for anyone in the case of not being able to talk to someone. Sign language can be used under water, used when you can’t even whisper like in a theater, or in extremely loud areas and can’t hear anything else, and kids can use it to pass notes in school. If learned, you can communicate with any Deaf on a basic level and if someone loses hearing they already know how to communicate. Never thought of all these reasons, but they all make sense. Bottom line is you never know when you can or need to use it.

Chapter 16 – Are there any home correspondence courses in Basic Sign?

            As of now, no. There are videos you can use at home if you can’t get with someone and learn and practice. This is the best way to learn, with another. Again, there is the internet if you can ‘t get to another, the library will have things to check out. You need to be with another as there are signs used in your region that may not be on videos or internet sites. There may be a college or adult ed class in someone’s area to enroll that will not be so structured. Best is to try to converse with another in signing practice.

Chapter 17 – What is Pidgin Sign English?

            It is a blend of ASL and American English signs. It is usually used when a ASL Deaf communicates with a hearing or deaf that doesn’t know much sign. There is difference in the grammar and the syntax in a sentence between ASL and American English signs. I had no clue there was so many different forms of sign just for the English. Thought there was one sign for each word and it was always used.

Chapter 18 – How do I know if someone is using ASL or signed English?

            You have to watch the person sign. There is a rhythm to signing and you have to observe. ASL has different rhythm than signed English due to the fact the syntax or word order is different in each. With ASL there is more facial usage as the person is signing and in signed English the person may be mouthing the English words. Very little mouthing with ASL yet very expressive with the face. Would like to observe each and make a comparison.

Chapter 19 – What is total communication?

            It is when a deaf person can have access to several useful forms of communication. It could simply mean the combination of both speech and sign / fingerspelling. Throughout history of sign, teachers taught deaf children communication in different ways, such as signing only, speech only, and combination of both. Today to have total communication for a deaf person, one must look at the individual needs of each child. Can the child learn speech at all, any hearing for the child?? Programs and teachers need to be top quality and above all flexible. What works for one child may or may not work for another when teaching communication skills.

Chapter 20 – I heard that ASL is the 3^rd most used language in the U.S. If this is true, why don’t all universities accept ASL as a foreign language?

            There is the thought that many universities may have misunderstanding concerning ASL. Since it is used in this country, many think it is not a “foreign language”. Some feel since it is not spoken it is not therefore a language and it has no culture. We all know these arguments are so incorrect. There are many universities and states that are changing the tide. As of press, there are 30 states that recognize ASL as a foreign language, Kentucky and Tennessee are two listed. ASL is accepted for credit in many postsecondary programs as well. The list is growing daily. Very crazy that it is not considered and language and having no culture…have learned for sure it does!

Chapter 21 – How do deaf people feel when a hearing person approaches them in public using sign language?

            The easiest answer…it depends. Some readily accept and some are put off. Much of it depends on how well the hearing can sign. Many times they act as they can and they really do a poor job, almost insulting the deaf. At times hearing interrupt wanting to help as though the deaf person can’t do something due to being deaf, also insulting. If a deaf person needs help, they will ask. You must use common sense. In everyday activities, they will not need help. But in a serious situation the deaf does know and will communicate that they need help. I can see how some well intentions could come across insulting. I’ll keep this in mind.