I am late deaf but I like watching such vlogs as this one on youtube relating to oralism.... This is a strong viewpoint and not necessarily my own. Since AGBell's advocate was already here, it wouldn't hurt to see or read an opposite viewpoint, hmm?
YouTube - I Am Against Oralism Because...
Here is the meaning provided by the vlogger:
Someone asked me if I were against oralists when I know s/he must have meant oralism because to be against oralists just because they can speak is outrageous! So my response to this modified question is, yes, I am against oralism but not spoken English. Let me share you that the term oralism to me is a stigma. It is associated "to force" for some even "abuse" (i.e. hands whacked with rulers, put hand down (watch this):
although physical abuse is prohibited but still, this term brings back these memories that many are scarred with the term oralism.
Oralism is way different from spoken English. Oralism tends to be the only approach and it bans from ASL. Spoken English is not against for one to know both languages since birth. It has no biased meaning -- it is just a language. Signed English doesn't ban a Deaf child from using ASL nor force those who cannot hear enough to use it. Some people who think the world of oralism are ignorant. Using the word, oralism, still did not change to a positive concept just we would never change the concept of slavery. Would we want to still practice slavery? No! Unfortuantely, it is still happening in some parts of the world. Slavery will always be negative just like oralism therefore there is no way to change the meaning. They should now that there were horrors associated to oralism. Although it is history but today the practice, the principle and the philosophy still discriminate against ASL. The term should be changed to oracy since it involves the use of switching to both languages where they have the options to use, spoken or signed where there is a more flexibility and compatibility.
In my video clip, you will see my description on how Flemish Deaf view oralism definition vs. Deaf culture definition.
That's why I don't accept and approve the concept of oralism because of the attitude. The concept is negative so that is something to think about how should we view oralism.
From my experience, I was able to grow up using spoken English and ASL. Did I ever think that I think of myself as a oralist? No. I am just a spoken English user so it is completely different than being oralist. I use spoken English, yes. I am ASL user, yes! Oralists don't! It is just a different view about the way I grow up as I never thought one has to separate those from using ASL. They had to use oralism as one approach method and it is not necessary.