Last night was the 1st sign language class at Occupy. Being the concerned citizen and probably the last 1% of the 99%, I responded positively to the deaf participant's 'text a terp' request. After all, it was an hour sign language class that he'd be responsible for the content and conduction of!
Silly me! The class started out small and semi organized, with the deaf teacher assigning the attendee's name signs. It was like they were being christened into the deaf world with their newly begotten name signs along with a brief description as to how (B' on the front of shoulder) came up with their names.
I soon realized I was going to need to step out of my role as interpreter to explain my role. "Please direct your questions and attention to the deaf teacher, I'm only here to voice what he says and sign your questions and comments". There was another hard of hearing occupier in attendance. Well, at least part of the time...he came over to show an already overwhelmed audience his sign for the words that 'B' demonstrated. His mode of communication is much different than 'B's and really threw a wrench in the class's comprehension of content.
ASL vs Signed English or SEE
American Sign Language (ASL) is the natural language of the deaf. Congenitally deafened, that is....born deaf. You see, there's a continuum in which deafness can be acquired at any stage of an individual's life.
ASL in a visual conceptual language that is processed with the eyes. It's structure is said to be comparable to Japanese. It's a formal language and satisfies all parameters to qualify as such in schools and colleges. Hard of hearing people tend to use signs in more of an English sentence structure. That's what they've been exposed to in programs for the deaf & hard of hearing by interpreters as their language role models.
Interested in more?
Go to your public library and ask for Journey Into a Deaf World, by Ben Bahan and Robert
Hoffmeister.
So you want to sign?
Go to http://www.aslpro.com and meet "B' and me in class! I'll be adding a calendar and schedule class times soon.
Here's a forum for all of us. I've always believed life is like a game of Pente. It's best understood and won from being exposed to as many perspectives as possible. From poets to potters and all in between, please respond to posts with your head and heart engaged.
