deafdyke said:
Not at all...
Many if not most of us here didn't grow up with ASL.....most of us here are in betweeners....either TCers or totaly bilingal in both ASL and Spoken English. Even most of us who grew up with English as our first language, do eventually aqurire ASL as a second language.
that's interesting deafdyke..
I'd like to give my opinion on this - I've always thought that speaking is the best way to communicate, with sign language as a great second language, as described by Deaf Dyke...
I know many deaf people do not agree with this, but for me, I like to be part of the hearing World, and feel proud about being deaf, and people are often fascinated, interested in me, and what I expereince.
If I was only able to communicate in sign language, these hearing people that I meet would have little, if any understanding of what it is like for me - because I can't speak their language.
If you move to France to live, its best to learn the language. Same goes for ASL, and speaking. If you're deaf, its best to know both. Personal opinion, though, i totally understand that some people don't believe this.