adelaster
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2010
- Messages
- 8
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Hi,
My name is Lauren and I'm a student at Ohio University & I work with the Columbus Metropolitan Library system. I have wanted to learn more about Deaf culture and American Sign Language since I was very young. I grew up across the street from a Deaf couple and would sometimes see Deaf in the libraries I frequented with my family. Communication has always fascinated me- I think it is one of the most important aspects of our humanity. In fourth grade I discovered Koko the gorilla and the amazing reach of sign language. Many books increased that lust for sign language- although I've always been too frightened to learn myself... but I'm finally trying to change that. My Deaf professor has really put me at ease in the classroom. I'm no where near proficient with ASL, but I'm working to improve that as much as I can. I've studied many languages but I've never desired to learn the way I do with ASL.
I find Deaf culture fascinating, and as a person who was born hearing I know I will never be able to truly understand much of it. I'm hoping that I'm not an annoyance in learning ASL- I feel like it is such a pure and sacred form of communication. It is an honor to have the opportunity to attempt it... even if the syntax is incredibly hard for me! I am finishing my Bachelor's of Specialized Studies right now, then I hope to get my masters in Library & Information Sciences. Eventually I would like to get my masters & doctorate in English Literature and teach at a University. (My husband would like to do the same- except likely in history.) I would like to continue studying (and clumsily learning) ASL; I am particularly interested in emergent literacy for the deaf.
My name is Lauren and I'm a student at Ohio University & I work with the Columbus Metropolitan Library system. I have wanted to learn more about Deaf culture and American Sign Language since I was very young. I grew up across the street from a Deaf couple and would sometimes see Deaf in the libraries I frequented with my family. Communication has always fascinated me- I think it is one of the most important aspects of our humanity. In fourth grade I discovered Koko the gorilla and the amazing reach of sign language. Many books increased that lust for sign language- although I've always been too frightened to learn myself... but I'm finally trying to change that. My Deaf professor has really put me at ease in the classroom. I'm no where near proficient with ASL, but I'm working to improve that as much as I can. I've studied many languages but I've never desired to learn the way I do with ASL.
I find Deaf culture fascinating, and as a person who was born hearing I know I will never be able to truly understand much of it. I'm hoping that I'm not an annoyance in learning ASL- I feel like it is such a pure and sacred form of communication. It is an honor to have the opportunity to attempt it... even if the syntax is incredibly hard for me! I am finishing my Bachelor's of Specialized Studies right now, then I hope to get my masters in Library & Information Sciences. Eventually I would like to get my masters & doctorate in English Literature and teach at a University. (My husband would like to do the same- except likely in history.) I would like to continue studying (and clumsily learning) ASL; I am particularly interested in emergent literacy for the deaf.