September 23, 2024 International Sign Language Day 442 words

Most hearing individuals are exposed to the deaf community and sign language through friends or family members. I had a deaf cousin, David. He was older than myself. His Mother didn’t use sign language when communicating with him. She expected him to read her lips. this is about 70% accurate. There are many phonemes that look similar for the lip reader. They must quickly guess what word is being spoken and respond correctly.
My cousin had no family members that would sign. This may be due in part to the philosophy that the deaf should be trained in the oral method or not using signs to help with communication. I remember David frustrated and angry when he tried to talk with his cousins.
When in high school, One of my best friends had two deaf parents. Billy was not deaf but 3 of his four siblings were. Visiting their home, I was bombarded with sounds of a blaring tv, aTTY signal indicating a incoming phone message. The louder the sound, the possibility that they could hear it. I longed to help.
In college, I took a short course in American Sign Language. I was hooked. The use of finger spelling was a challenge. I was not a good speller. I love the movements and the concept basis of hand gestures and positioning the hands in a limited space. I took more courses at Madonna College and earned 16 hours of course work. Stopping short of an interpreter . I wanted to talk with my cousin and friends.
When I married and had a child, I took dance classes with a mother /daughter group. Hawaiian hand movements tell the story, similar to sign language. The feet and hips keep the rhythm of the drums. I easily learned the gestures and choreographed a dozen dances.
Sign language, Hawaiian gestures and nonverbal movements have universal understanding.
The deaf community has been separated by their language. They were expected to learn to accommodate the hearing not the reverse.
Learning and using signs in greetings will bridge the gap with the deaf community.
As we age, we can expect over10 % of the population to have a significant hearing loss. In the United States, 37 million adults will have a hearing loss. Maybe learning sign language is not such a bad idea for all of us.

)**. Poem
I read your lips.
Feel your breath.
I try to see your words.
I guess, and guess again.
Frustrated I slam the door
as I leave the room.
It is hard to be so different from my peers.
I am alone with dark thoughts.I want to understand.

carolaspot@aol.com September22, 2024 copyrighted