Calling all those who want to learn ASL

W

wolvie

New Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
24
Reaction score
0
Hello,

Yesterday I met Mr. Anthony Natale. I completeley forgot to post the event thus hoping more people would have shown up so they could meet him, learn some ASL from him and see the wonderful video he made.

Since beginning ASL I have become involved a lot in the deaf and HOH community. More specifically involved with the person who created a video for those who need or want to communicate with a deaf or hard of hearing person. I have found that a lof of deaf people have hearing parents that have never really learned to signed proficiently to communicate with their child. Personally I think this is bad because is lessons the bond between the child/parent relationship especially if the deaf child has been sent to school for the deaf and spends long periods of time away from the child. (Of course I'm not deaf or hard of hearing, so feel free to bash me here ) :evil:

I also think this would be a good idea for Law Enforcement and Civil Service organizations

Since ASL i rapidly becoming very popular especially as a foreign language requirement, I'm really trying to get this DVD and word out there that there is an easy way to learn basic ASL especially if you don't have the time for a class. I found it fun and was really frustrated that there wasn't a lot of videos for ASL. Sure plenty of books, but I think ASL is a language which you need to see. It's called "How to Talk to a Person who can't hear" staring Anthony Natale.

So if anyone is interested please let me know.
 
wolvie said:
...I have found that a lof of deaf people have hearing parents that have never really learned to signed proficiently to communicate with their child. Personally I think this is bad because is lessons the bond between the child/parent relationship especially if the deaf child has been sent to school for the deaf and spends long periods of time away from the child.
Click to expand...
Yes, more hearing parents, grandparents, and siblings should learn how to sign with the Deaf members of their families.


I also think this would be a good idea for Law Enforcement and Civil Service organizations
Click to expand...
You don't mean as a substitute for professional interpreting in those settings, do you?
 
Substitutes

No, no not by any means. I think that they should know some basics though. There are professional interpreters for a reason.

but I really would like to promote the use of ASL so if you know of anyone let me know, pass them along to me.
 
I am very interested in learning ASL. I'm not deaf or hard of hearing but I find ASL to be very interesting and am presently researching colleges that offer ASL interpreting as a major. I just ordered a DVD but haven't gotten it yet, so I don't know how good it is. If you know of any DVDs or movies that you know are worth getting, I would appreciate it if you could let me know.
 
I also think this would be a good idea for Law Enforcement and Civil Service organizations
Click to expand...

I agree with this to an extent. As Reba hinted to, professional interpreters should not be subsituted at all.

From a police standpoint, however, I do believe that officers should be well versed in the community in which they serve. If there is any deaf population within that community, some officers should know some sign language, especially in regards to emergency situations. For example, a crime has just occured and information needs to be given out quickly (radio lookouts, other officers checking the area). Getting a professional interpreter to a scene takes some time, and often that time is not available. An officer can start getting the basics and get that information out. While that is taking place, a prof. terp could be enroute and do a full interview with the victim.

If it is a suspect that happens to be deaf, then a prof. terp should immediately be notified and the suspect not interviewed until the terp has arrived.

Also, is it feasible to have an interpreter respond out to every traffic stop that an officer makes that involves a deaf person? In court, definately, but on the side of the road at 3:00am isn't too practical.

I'd also say the same about firefighters. If a person is ill and needs to communicate with firefighters and paramedics, there may not be time to have a terp respond. The hospital will provide a terp there, but at the scene of a car accident, it would be nice if the firefighter could understand that the deaf person is having chest pains and thinks he/she has a broken leg.

Unfortunately, sign language like any skill, you can lose it if you don't use it. I cannot find it now, but I read a study of law enforcement officers that were taught some basic sign language. Within just a few months, many could not recall what they had learned. I often lose some of my own signing ability when I have not used sign in awhile or have not signed certain words/phrases for a period of time. If officers would like to be able to sign proficiently, they would not only have to learn the sign, but use it on a regular basis to retain that skill.
 
wolvie said:
Hello,

I have found that a lof of deaf people have hearing parents that have never really learned to signed proficiently to communicate with their child. Personally I think this is bad because is lessons the bond between the child/parent relationship especially if the deaf child has been sent to school for the deaf and spends long periods of time away from the child. (Of course I'm not deaf or hard of hearing, so feel free to bash me here ) :evil:
Click to expand...

It is unfair of you, imo, to judge DOHA families. All families are unique and disfunctional, imo. Unless you have experience first hand within a DOHA family, you are to put it simply, out of line.

Since ASL i rapidly becoming very popular especially as a foreign language requirement, I'm really trying to get this DVD and word out there that there is an easy way to learn basic ASL especially if you don't have the time for a class. I found it fun and was really frustrated that there wasn't a lot of videos for ASL. Sure plenty of books, but I think ASL is a language which you need to see. It's called "How to Talk to a Person who can't hear" staring Anthony Natale.
Click to expand...

With your aparent keen interest in ASL and deaf children, perhaps you should direct some of your energy toward the literacy of deaf children.

jmo
 
I don't ruffle want any feather but I don't think I'm out of line. There's a difference of being out of line and not knowing. I am merely trying to educate myself. Something I think that cause most prejducies in this country. People are afraid to ask. You told me something different so now I know. Please continue to educate an hearie person, I am always open to learning

As an aside note. I'm applying to graduate schools in the Library and information field and the concentration I'm doing is library services to the DOHH which includes children.
 
wolvie said:
Hello,

I have found that a lof of deaf people have hearing parents that have never really learned to signed proficiently to communicate with their child. Personally I think this is bad because is lessons the bond between the child/parent relationship especially if the deaf child has been sent to school for the deaf and spends long periods of time away from the child. (Of course I'm not deaf or hard of hearing, so feel free to bash me here ) :evil:
Click to expand...

The first 6 years of life are the most important for language aquisition in both deaf and hearing children. Becoming proficient and fluent with ASL is a difficult task, (as I imagine that you are learning), now combine that with daily life and raising a deaf child.

ASL is an effective communication tool, it does not, imho, lead to English literacy. English, along with hundred of other languages, is based on phoneme, vowel and constant combinations. A deaf child should be given the opportunity to learn English intrinsically and phonetically. This can/does enable them to be on an equal learning field with their hearing peers. There is only one system that teaches a deaf child English phonemically and that is Cued Speech. Literacy is a HUGE issue for deaf children, although cochlear implants combined with auditory verbal approaches will undoubtedly impact the statistics.


I don't ruffle want any feather but I don't think I'm out of line. There's a difference of being out of line and not knowing.
Click to expand...

You come across to me that you are in the early stages of a never ending curve, and naivety appears to be clouding your vision. I suggest you take a REAL look at the world of deafness and realise the power of the romantic realtionship that hearing people develop with ASL.

As an aside note. I'm applying to graduate schools in the Library and information field and the concentration I'm doing is library services to the DOHH which includes children.
Click to expand...

Considering your choice in graduate studies, I would imagine that you have a keen appreciation for libraries and their wealth of knowledge in the written word. I also believe that it is literate people who frequent a library.

jmo

FYI: http://www.cuedspeech.org/
 
I'll I say is that I'm in a learning process and am no way perfect in any language. I'm not a debating or arguing person.

An no, not all literate people visit libraries. I've worked in them for 12 years to know that.

Thank you for educating me. I'm not naive, I'm just trying to learn and understand and like everyone else we all stumble.

Have a wonderful holiday.

loml said:
The first 6 years of life are the most important for language aquisition in both deaf and hearing children. Becoming proficient and fluent with ASL is a difficult task, (as I imagine that you are learning), now combine that with daily life and raising a deaf child.

ASL is an effective communication tool, it does not, imho, lead to English literacy. English, along with hundred of other languages, is based on phoneme, vowel and constant combinations. A deaf child should be given the opportunity to learn English intrinsically and phonetically. This can/does enable them to be on an equal learning field with their hearing peers. There is only one system that teaches a deaf child English phonemically and that is Cued Speech. Literacy is a HUGE issue for deaf children, although cochlear implants combined with auditory verbal approaches will undoubtedly impact the statistics.




You come across to me that you are in the early stages of a never ending curve, and naivety appears to be clouding your vision. I suggest you take a REAL look at the world of deafness and realise the power of the romantic realtionship that hearing people develop with ASL.



Considering your choice in graduate studies, I would imagine that you have a keen appreciation for libraries and their wealth of knowledge in the written word. I also believe that it is literate people who frequent a library.

jmo

FYI: http://www.cuedspeech.org/
Click to expand...
 
wolvie said:
I'll I say is that I'm in a learning process and am no way perfect in any language. I'm not a debating or arguing person.

An no, not all literate people visit libraries. I've worked in them for 12 years to know that.

Thank you for educating me. I'm not naive, I'm just trying to learn and understand and like everyone else we all stumble.

Have a wonderful holiday.
Click to expand...

Wolvie,

Life is one continuos learning curve, peoples path cross for some reason, unbeknownest to me why exactly, like it or not. It has been my experience that many hearing people "buy into" the rhetoric of some radical ASL people.
Do not misunderstand me here, I value ASL for the wonderful communication tool that it is, beyond doubt. I do however, struggle with hearing people expending their energy with advertising ASL. The promotion of ASL, imho, is simply missing the needs of the young deaf child. If you have been enlightened in this regard, then indeed, I am pleased.

Happy Holidays
 
Back
Top