Sign Language/English debate

[DreamDeaf]

Actually, I was raised oral - grew up in a hearing family with no ASL skills - and went to an oral school for the deaf after being removed from several schools for the deaf that were ASL based in classrooms.

It wasn't until later that I was mainstreamed into regular elementary classes in my school district when the real reason came out. I was so far advanced in academics than other students my age, as I grew up with a grandmother who was a teacher, and later, with my mother, who was a teacher herself before becoming a high school counselor. Being in classes with my deaf peers had me so frustrated with them, as it was constant repetition in so many subjects - I got bored easily as I learned the subject matter faster than most of them, even in classes with other children at least two to three years older than I was. I got so frustrated, I deliberately flunked out the last year I was in that school so I could leave.

I was tested the summer before I was mainstreamed, and while my score results ranked higher than those for the grade level for my age, it was allowed that I should be placed in the grade where children my age were in, in order to allow me to learn how to socialize with people my age and to be able toget used to the faster pace they were accustomed to.

I did not interact with many deaf people during my mainstreamed school years, except for a club for the mainstreamed deaf students in high school.

I graduated 7th in a class of 54 students, with honors in mathematics, history and english. Yes, English.

I did not learn sign language until I was 28 years old, despite knowing other deaf people that were proficient in ASL since high school. My friends were patient with me, knowing that I was just not ready. I already had some home signs with them, and they were able to understand me most of the time. When I was ready, they were very happy to teach me all they knew - and more.

To me, sign language has no barriers, no limit. I have friends who grew up using SEE, I have a cousin that uses cued speech, I grew up oral with many hearing friends. I have seen many different versions of sign language - and I think it's a beautiful language, no matter what form it takes.

To me, deaf IS deaf. Cochlear implants, Behind the Ear, hard of hearing, no matter - we are all deaf, period. I am able to embrace the concept of deafness, in any form.

Communication is the key- period. It should not matter how we communicate - what should matter is that we are understood, and able to get our point across.

To see our community fractured, over something so simple as being understood - it's sad.

 

[jillio]

I couldn't agree with you more, Dream Deaf. It does not matter how a deaf child communictes, but that they are able to communicate.

You have achieved wonderful accomplishments, both personally and educationally. My concern is that all deaf children be given the opportunity to achieve the same.

 

[Angel]

Actually, I was raised oral - grew up in a hearing family with no ASL skills - and went to an oral school for the deaf after being removed from several schools for the deaf that were ASL based in classrooms.

It wasn't until later that I was mainstreamed into regular elementary classes in my school district when the real reason came out. I was so far advanced in academics than other students my age, as I grew up with a grandmother who was a teacher, and later, with my mother, who was a teacher herself before becoming a high school counselor. Being in classes with my deaf peers had me so frustrated with them, as it was constant repetition in so many subjects - I got bored easily as I learned the subject matter faster than most of them, even in classes with other children at least two to three years older than I was. I got so frustrated, I deliberately flunked out the last year I was in that school so I could leave.

I was tested the summer before I was mainstreamed, and while my score results ranked higher than those for the grade level for my age, it was allowed that I should be placed in the grade where children my age were in, in order to allow me to learn how to socialize with people my age and to be able toget used to the faster pace they were accustomed to.

I did not interact with many deaf people during my mainstreamed school years, except for a club for the mainstreamed deaf students in high school.

I graduated 7th in a class of 54 students, with honors in mathematics, history and english. Yes, English.

I did not learn sign language until I was 28 years old, despite knowing other deaf people that were proficient in ASL since high school. My friends were patient with me, knowing that I was just not ready. I already had some home signs with them, and they were able to understand me most of the time. When I was ready, they were very happy to teach me all they knew - and more.

To me, sign language has no barriers, no limit. I have friends who grew up using SEE, I have a cousin that uses cued speech, I grew up oral with many hearing friends. I have seen many different versions of sign language - and I think it's a beautiful language, no matter what form it takes.

To me, deaf IS deaf. Cochlear implants, Behind the Ear, hard of hearing, no matter - we are all deaf, period. I am able to embrace the concept of deafness, in any form.

Communication is the key- period. It should not matter how we communicate - what should matter is that we are understood, and able to get our point across.

To see our community fractured, over something so simple as being understood - it's sad.

!!

 

[flip]

DreamDeaf, well written post! Somehow this made me think of the term deafhood.

 

[Bear]

Actually, I was raised oral - grew up in a hearing family with no ASL skills - and went to an oral school for the deaf after being removed from several schools for the deaf that were ASL based in classrooms.

It wasn't until later that I was mainstreamed into regular elementary classes in my school district when the real reason came out. I was so far advanced in academics than other students my age, as I grew up with a grandmother who was a teacher, and later, with my mother, who was a teacher herself before becoming a high school counselor. Being in classes with my deaf peers had me so frustrated with them, as it was constant repetition in so many subjects - I got bored easily as I learned the subject matter faster than most of them, even in classes with other children at least two to three years older than I was. I got so frustrated, I deliberately flunked out the last year I was in that school so I could leave.

I was tested the summer before I was mainstreamed, and while my score results ranked higher than those for the grade level for my age, it was allowed that I should be placed in the grade where children my age were in, in order to allow me to learn how to socialize with people my age and to be able toget used to the faster pace they were accustomed to.

I did not interact with many deaf people during my mainstreamed school years, except for a club for the mainstreamed deaf students in high school.

I graduated 7th in a class of 54 students, with honors in mathematics, history and english. Yes, English.

I did not learn sign language until I was 28 years old, despite knowing other deaf people that were proficient in ASL since high school. My friends were patient with me, knowing that I was just not ready. I already had some home signs with them, and they were able to understand me most of the time. When I was ready, they were very happy to teach me all they knew - and more.

To me, sign language has no barriers, no limit. I have friends who grew up using SEE, I have a cousin that uses cued speech, I grew up oral with many hearing friends. I have seen many different versions of sign language - and I think it's a beautiful language, no matter what form it takes.

To me, deaf IS deaf. Cochlear implants, Behind the Ear, hard of hearing, no matter - we are all deaf, period. I am able to embrace the concept of deafness, in any form.

Communication is the key- period. It should not matter how we communicate - what should matter is that we are understood, and able to get our point across.

To see our community fractured, over something so simple as being understood - it's sad.

and totally agree! Communication is way more important than how the message is communicated.

 

[shel90]

Some people sign SEE, some people sign PSE, some people sign ASL..life goes on.

This is about the educational setting on the debate between using ASL to teach deaf kids English or use English to teach deaf kids English.

Nothing about friendships here.

 

[Cheri]

we all of us want to educational you!

Educated me??? I'm deaf just like you, I sure do not need a deaf person to educated me.

No wonder why most hearing parents are not on this forum any longer, because some of you pushed them out, and some of you are on the edge of pushing deaf people out too.

I agree with DreamDeaf, she nailed it perfectly, No wonder why she's one of my dearest friends because she doesn't judge other deaf people who are different than her.

 

[shel90]

Cheri - Please do not leave AllDeaf, we all of us want to educational you. From my understanding that you raise in oral method. ASL is more popular nowadays, if you socialize more with Deaf people to pick up their language and culture. You will understand better. One of my friend who struggle to understand what is ASL within 38 years. He finally understand with his master degree, he realizes what he have so so much miss in Deaf language and culture. Now, he admires into Deaf Education and School, currently a teacher for the Deaf children. He is realistically into Deaf world now...

Give you more time to learn from us. Our education would NEVER end, we learn everyday until we die. Please do not blame yourself ! Your parents think, what is the best for you. Obviously, they have not look into other side Deaf School when you were little kid.

My parents put me into horrible horrible Deaf school during my childhood, I miss so so much academic because I was in speech therapist 75% and classroom 25%. That is why, I am still struggle in writing English structure. I am still learning until I die. No one is perfect, it is our Parents, Teachers and Audiologist put us in wrong method during our childhood.

Please do not discourage yourself. Blame the society cause many Parents are confused what is the best for their Deaf children. I was suffered due to physical and verbal abuse for years at Deaf School. I need to move on with my life. Thanks God, I have a good career and raise wonderful sons. Looking into positive and bright side of our life!

Before I started learning ASL, I thought it followed the English syntax so when I took my first ASL class, I had an ego thinking it was going to be easy. Boy, was I wrong! The syntax is different and since becoming fluent in it, I can see why it is important for the children to get a proper model of it in the classroom. Once, their language foundation has been built, then they can transfer that into learning the syntax of English. That's my educational philosophy. As for outside of the classroom setting, I have no philosophy how anyone should sign as long as communication is happening.

I learned so much from my Deaf friends cuz I was clueless about everything before taking my first ASL class. I didnt even know that sign language came in different forms all over the world..that was interesting to discover.

 

[Buffalo]

Wow!! I didn't realized some deaf people were so judgmental, that gives me a reason to be more involve in the hearing world.

Cheri, I am sorry if I come across as judgmental. To tell the truth, I am baffled about how my comment could come across as judgmental. I would talk with people if they use ASL, PSE or even SEE. It is just that I prefer ASL as sometimes one would says something in ASL that hits me hard as I don't ever see anything like that in SEE/PSE. Berry said similiar thing in ""ASL, SEE, PSE, etc" thread and it didn't sounded like that you were that upset with Berry as you were with me.

I checked out your old posts to get the feel of who you are. It sounds like you are in your 30's because you have 2 boys. It won't be long before I hit the big '50'. I am telling you abit about me so you'll understand where I am coming from. I went to a deaf day school for the deaf. It was oral back then and that was also in the days of the corporal punishment. Teachers would punished us for any infractions including sign language. There was a particular teacher who would use a piece of wood, the size of a blackboard eraser, to rapped our hands for any infractions including sign language. I read your post in "Shut up and sign!!!!" thread, post #10:

If you want your children to sign, then you got to go half way with them and speak for them. It's a two way street.

I agree with that two-way street bit. I did learn to speak for my family and did they learn sign language for me (especially that my eyesight could go bad later on)????? No, they made no attempt in learning the sign language. So where is the two way street? You are seeing Newton's third law in action. I am going all the way to ASL. SEE and PSE were invented by the hearing people who took Deaf people's ASL and change it. I just don't want the hearing people messing with Deaf people's way. When I read 'When the Mind Hears" by Harlan Lane, I was surprised that Clerc spoke of the same thing in his school. The French sign language had been changed by the hearing teachers. Nothing is new under the sun.

My best friend is hearing and she doesn't know any sign language. I appreciate her for leading a straight live (no drugs, no immoral behavior, etc) which in turn influenced me. She came from Mormon family and I came from non-practicing Catholic family. I know her ever since we were very little.

I am a big believer in Education for the Deaf. I believe that English is very important. The kids need to be taught over and over that ASL can't be written down and that English is a completely different language. Hence, I believe that the Bi-Bi method is the way to go. It is all because I got a substandard education in that oral day school.

I went to a deaf high school where sign language is allowed. Much better there. I can be impatient at times like this one: I was trying to hurry the principal along for my first(?) driving lesson. He (he's a catholic priest) said to me "Whoa! Whoa! Rome wasn't built in one day, so be patient". I said "No, but Rome sure was burned down in one night".

The one post of yours, I like the best came from "The Last Verdict: The Final Judgment" thread, post #101...

In Life you are given a test to teach you a lesson, it helps figure out who you are and who you want to become.

Rubella had found my family at the wrong time and that caused my deafness. I have nothing against the rubella because it followed the law of nature. I did learn what it is like to be deaf. I learned that the oral only method is not good for all deafs, especially those with profound hearing loss. I learn that the hearing people still has too much power over the deaf people and I want to change that. If the deaf person has the knack and motive to speak, that person should go for it but s/he shouldn't forget the ASL. I also learned that deafness is not the problem, it is the certain hearing people who made things difficult for us. Oral-only philosophy, discrimination, etc.

 

[shel90]

Cheri, I am sorry if I come across as judgmental. To tell the truth, I am baffled about how my comment could come across as judgmental. I would talk with people if they use ASL, PSE or even SEE. It is just that I prefer ASL as sometimes one would says something in ASL that hits me hard as I don't ever see anything like that in SEE/PSE. Berry said similiar thing in ""ASL, SEE, PSE, etc" thread and it didn't sounded like that you were that upset with Berry as you were with me.

I checked out your old posts to get the feel of who you are. It sounds like you are in your 30's because you have 2 boys. It won't be long before I hit the big '50'. I am telling you abit about me so you'll understand where I am coming from. I went to a deaf day school for the deaf. It was oral back then and that was also in the days of the corporal punishment. Teachers would punished us for any infractions including sign language. There was a particular teacher who would use a piece of wood, the size of a blackboard eraser, to rapped our hands for any infractions including sign language. I read your post in "Shut up and sign!!!!" thread, post #10: I agree with that two-way street bit. I did learn to speak for my family and did they learn sign language for me (especially that my eyesight could go bad later on)????? No, they made no attempt in learning the sign language. So where is the two way street? You are seeing Newton's third law in action. I am going all the way to ASL. SEE and PSE were invented by the hearing people who took Deaf people's ASL and change it. I just don't want the hearing people messing with Deaf people's way. When I read 'When the Mind Hears" by Harlan Lane, I was surprised that Clerc spoke of the same thing in his school. The French sign language had been changed by the hearing teachers. Nothing is new under the sun.

My best friend is hearing and she doesn't know any sign language. I appreciate her for leading a straight live (no drugs, no immoral behavior, etc) which in turn influenced me. She came from Mormon family and I came from non-practicing Catholic family. I know her ever since we were very little.

I am a big believer in Education for the Deaf. I believe that English is very important. The kids need to be taught over and over that ASL can't be written down and that English is a completely different language. Hence, I believe that the Bi-Bi method is the way to go. It is all because I got a substandard education in that oral day school.

I went to a deaf high school where sign language is allowed. Much better there. I can be impatient at times like this one: I was trying to hurry the principal along for my first(?) driving lesson. He (he's a catholic priest) said to me "Whoa! Whoa! Rome wasn't built in one day, so be patient". I said "No, but Rome sure was burned down in one night".

The one post of yours, I like the best came from "The Last Verdict: The Final Judgment" thread, post #101... Rubella had found my family at the wrong time and that caused my deafness. I have nothing against the rubella because it followed the law of nature. I did learn what it is like to be deaf. I learned that the oral only method is not good for all deafs, especially those with profound hearing loss. I learn that the hearing people still has too much power over the deaf people and I want to change that. If the deaf person has the knack and motive to speak, that person should go for it but s/he shouldn't forget the ASL. I also learned that deafness is not the problem, it is the certain hearing people who made things difficult for us. Oral-only philosophy, discrimination, etc.

and very insightful, Buffalo.

 

[jillio]

Cheri, I am sorry if I come across as judgmental. To tell the truth, I am baffled about how my comment could come across as judgmental. I would talk with people if they use ASL, PSE or even SEE. It is just that I prefer ASL as sometimes one would says something in ASL that hits me hard as I don't ever see anything like that in SEE/PSE. Berry said similiar thing in ""ASL, SEE, PSE, etc" thread and it didn't sounded like that you were that upset with Berry as you were with me.

I checked out your old posts to get the feel of who you are. It sounds like you are in your 30's because you have 2 boys. It won't be long before I hit the big '50'. I am telling you abit about me so you'll understand where I am coming from. I went to a deaf day school for the deaf. It was oral back then and that was also in the days of the corporal punishment. Teachers would punished us for any infractions including sign language. There was a particular teacher who would use a piece of wood, the size of a blackboard eraser, to rapped our hands for any infractions including sign language. I read your post in "Shut up and sign!!!!" thread, post #10: I agree with that two-way street bit. I did learn to speak for my family and did they learn sign language for me (especially that my eyesight could go bad later on)????? No, they made no attempt in learning the sign language. So where is the two way street? You are seeing Newton's third law in action. I am going all the way to ASL. SEE and PSE were invented by the hearing people who took Deaf people's ASL and change it. I just don't want the hearing people messing with Deaf people's way. When I read 'When the Mind Hears" by Harlan Lane, I was surprised that Clerc spoke of the same thing in his school. The French sign language had been changed by the hearing teachers. Nothing is new under the sun.

My best friend is hearing and she doesn't know any sign language. I appreciate her for leading a straight live (no drugs, no immoral behavior, etc) which in turn influenced me. She came from Mormon family and I came from non-practicing Catholic family. I know her ever since we were very little.

I am a big believer in Education for the Deaf. I believe that English is very important. The kids need to be taught over and over that ASL can't be written down and that English is a completely different language. Hence, I believe that the Bi-Bi method is the way to go. It is all because I got a substandard education in that oral day school.

I went to a deaf high school where sign language is allowed. Much better there. I can be impatient at times like this one: I was trying to hurry the principal along for my first(?) driving lesson. He (he's a catholic priest) said to me "Whoa! Whoa! Rome wasn't built in one day, so be patient". I said "No, but Rome sure was burned down in one night".

The one post of yours, I like the best came from "The Last Verdict: The Final Judgment" thread, post #101... Rubella had found my family at the wrong time and that caused my deafness. I have nothing against the rubella because it followed the law of nature. I did learn what it is like to be deaf. I learned that the oral only method is not good for all deafs, especially those with profound hearing loss. I learn that the hearing people still has too much power over the deaf people and I want to change that. If the deaf person has the knack and motive to speak, that person should go for it but s/he shouldn't forget the ASL. I also learned that deafness is not the problem, it is the certain hearing people who made things difficult for us. Oral-only philosophy, discrimination, etc.

 

[Cheri]

Cheri, I am sorry if I come across as judgmental. To tell the truth, I am baffled about how my comment could come across as judgmental.

Apologized accepted. In my view it came across as judgmental. Right now I'm only disappointing with Jillio because of how she jumped in and defended you, I rather to have you explain your case without anyone jumping in the middle.

I would talk with people if they use ASL, PSE or even SEE. It is just that I prefer ASL as sometimes one would says something in ASL that hits me hard as I don't ever see anything like that in SEE/PSE. Berry said similar thing in ""ASL, SEE, POSE, etc" thread and it didn't sounded like that you were that upset with Berry as you were with me.

That's where you are wrong there, I did said something to Berry in the "ASL, SEE, POSE" thread. My question is why it must be this way, Is it important that deaf people should know sign language as a visual of communication, it doesn't matter which signs deaf people uses. I never told Libeling who lives in Germany that she must learn ASL in order to communicate with us in United States, she has her own form of sign language, and we communicate just as good as anyone would ever expected. This is the way it should be. We have to learn to accepted each others differences.

I agree with that two-way street bit. I did learn to speak for my family and did they learn sign language for me (especially that my eyesight could go bad later on)????? No, they made no attempt in learning the sign language. So where is the two way street?

I'm sure there's many deaf people who were and are in the same place as you and I. My family is the same way as yours. I too wishes they learned to go half way with me, as I've been with them after all it's two way street.


Thanks for sharing your story with me.

 

[jillio]

Apologized accepted. In my view it came across as judgmental. Right now I'm only disappointing with Jillio because of how she jumped in and defended you, I rather to have you explain your case without anyone jumping in the middle.




That's where you are wrong there, I did said something to Berry in the "ASL, SEE, POSE" thread. My question is why it must be this way, Is it important that deaf people should know sign language as a visual of communication, it doesn't matter which signs deaf people uses. I never told Libeling who lives in Germany that she must learn ASL in order to commucate with us in United States, she has her own form of sign language, and we communicate just as good as anyone would ever expected. This is the way it should be. We have to learn to accepted eachothers differences.



I'm sure there's many deaf people who were and are in the same place as you and I. My family is the same way as yours. I too wishes they learned to go half way with me, as I've been with them after all it's two way street.


Thanks for sharing your story with me.

Sorry that you are disappointed Cheri, but if someone had accused you of doing something I did not believe you were guilty of, I would have defended you as quickly as I defended Buffalo. There have been many times that Buffalo has defended me against an unfounded accusation...I was simply returning the favor.

 

[Cheri]

Sorry that you are disappointed Cheri, but if someone had accused you of doing something I did not believe you were guilty of, I would have defended you as quickly as I defended Buffalo. There have been many times that Buffalo has defended me against an unfounded accusation...I was simply returning the favor.

Not everyone views the same things as you do, Jillio. This is how I viewed it as judgemental, I wasn't making assumption, this is how I see it.

 

[jillio]

Not everyone views the same things as you do, Jillio. This is how I viewed it as judgemental, I wasn't making assumption, this is how I see it.

I don't expect everyone to view things as I do. You saw her statement as judgemental, I did not. You stated your opinion, I stated mine. No biggie.

 

[Kalista]

Educated me??? I'm deaf just like you, I sure do not need a deaf person to educated me.

No wonder why most hearing parents are not on this forum any longer, because some of you pushed them out, and some of you are on the edge of pushing deaf people out too.

I agree with DreamDeaf, she nailed it perfectly, No wonder why she's one of my dearest friends because she doesn't judge other deaf people who are different than her.

She speaking about a "friend" sure doesn't sound like she speaking about her own form of sign. I don't think I want to social with people who mocks at my signs either.

I am perplexed why people mock on your signs. I can't determinate why you feel this way. If I meet you in the person, it will help me to understand why. Did you bluntly ask them question, why they mock on your sign? I would NEVER mock or judge on anyone's sign. They do criticize my sign all the times. I learn new things everyday in my life.

If, I were in your shoes - I will approach those people. Asking them, why they mock my sign language. Is there any problem with that? It is their problem, NOT you !! Why can't they help you with your sign if they are not happy with your sign. Obviously, they are immature people who mock you. I would NEVER mock to anyone's signs. I did help them for a better signs everyday at work, meeting, vp, club, social, conference, party, etc.... So what if your sign is bad. It is their lost, not you !

It is very frustrated to seeing many Hearing parents always think cochlear implants will cure their Deaf children normal hearing like them. They do not want to face the reality into the Deaf world to learn sign language. They put their children into mainstream or block them to learn sign language to destroy their true identify. They did not want to learn real hard for their Deaf children communication effectively.

According to education you, you may did not realize what you have some missing in Deaf Community during your childhood. I admitted that I do miss a lot during my little kid because I learned nothing from my school. I become more fell in love to read many books; it helps me to understand better.

I want to share a story, Netrox and I had heat debate in other Deaf Forum for years. We meet each other at NAD conference; we asked each other if he is Netrox. He asked me if I am Sabrina. We smile, had a lunch together. We discussed about our perspective to cochlear implant and cued speech communication. We had a good feedback and tease each other, become good friends afterward. Between internet and meet in real person are different. I become more care about Netrox because he is realllly sweet and funny guy. Glad, I had an opportunity to meet him in person. My beloved husband and Netrox kept in touch via email and AIM. I admitted that I miss him. We laughed because we always aruged each other over cochlear implant on other Deaf Forum. It was very challenge for us !! I learn alot from him, he learns from me. Feedback and Communication are important !!

 

[shel90]

[/color]

I am perplexed why people mock on your signs. I can't determinate why you feel this way. If I meet you in the person, it will help me to understand why. Did you bluntly ask them question, why they mock on your sign? I would NEVER mock or judge on anyone's sign. They do criticize my sign all the times. I learn new things everyday in my life.

If, I were in your shoes - I will approach those people. Asking them, why they mock my sign language. Is there any problem with that? It is their problem, NOT you !! Why can't they help you with your sign if they are not happy with your sign. Obviously, they are immature people who mock you. I would NEVER mock to anyone's signs. I did help them for a better signs everyday at work, meeting, vp, club, social, conference, party, etc.... So what if your sign is bad. It is their lost, not you !

It is very frustrated to seeing many Hearing parents always think cochlear implants will cure their Deaf children normal hearing like them. They do not want to face the reality into the Deaf world to learn sign language. They put their children into mainstream or block them to learn sign language to destroy their true identify. They did not want to learn real hard for their Deaf children communication effectively.

According to education you, you may did not realize what you have some missing in Deaf Community during your childhood. I admitted that I do miss a lot during my little kid because I learned nothing from my school. I become more fell in love to read many books; it helps me to understand better.

I want to share a story, Netrox and I had heat debate in other Deaf Forum for years. We meet each other at NAD conference; we asked each other if he is Netrox. He asked me if I am Sabrina. We smile, had a lunch together. We discussed about our perspective to cochlear implant and cued speech communication. We had a good feedback and tease each other, become good friends afterward. Between internet and meet in real person are different. I become more care about Netrox because he is realllly sweet and funny guy. Glad, I had an opportunity to meet him in person. My beloved husband and Netrox kept in touch via email and AIM. I admitted that I miss him. We laughed because we always aruged each other over cochlear implant on other Deaf Forum. It was very challenge for us !! I learn alot from him, he learns from me. Feedback and Communication are important !!

I agree with you. It is nice to learn new things daily. I love to learn from my deaf and hearing friends and from people here on AD.

I believe that learning never stops throughout one's life. Even as a teacher, I still continue to learn whether it is from my students, collegeues, or from new research.

 

[Kalista]

I agree with you. It is nice to learn new things daily. I love to learn from my deaf and hearing friends and from people here on AD.

I believe that learning never stops throughout one's life. Even as a teacher, I still continue to learn whether it is from my students, collegeues, or from new research.

Amend !!

 

[jillio]

**nodding agreement to both of you**

 

[Cheri]

I am perplexed why people mock on your signs. I can't determinate why you feel this way. If I meet you in the person, it will help me to understand why. Did you bluntly ask them question, why they mock on your sign? I would NEVER mock or judge on anyone's sign. They do criticize my sign all the times. I learn new things everyday in my life.

If, I were in your shoes - I will approach those people. Asking them, why they mock my sign language. Is there any problem with that? It is their problem, NOT you !! Why can't they help you with your sign if they are not happy with your sign. Obviously, they are immature people who mock you. I would NEVER mock to anyone's signs. I did help them for a better signs everyday at work, meeting, vp, club, social, conference, party, etc.... So what if your sign is bad. It is their lost, not you !

I never stated that my signs are bad, in fact on AD there was some debates on ASL versus SEE signs some of you are not as innocent as those people in real life. It doesn't have to be this way. ASL is not universal sign language. I do not wish to discuss this any more.