Preview

The Importance Of Sign Language In Deaf Culture

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
605 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Importance Of Sign Language In Deaf Culture
Knowing sign language truly does come in handy. American Sign Language has been an important part of my life since I was six years old. I have learned and taught sign language to children. I have also done interpreted for deaf people. Sign language is one of my greatest passions. It is very fun and interesting to learn. It is also great to share my knowledge of sign language with the children that I teach. I enjoy learning sign language because it is a unique and useful skill in life. It is helpful for communicating with deaf people. I have also signed with some deaf people while volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul. Knowing ASL is helpful because many deaf people have to read lips to understand what people are saying. However, it is much easier for them to read sign language.
I enjoy teaching sign language to young children. It reminds me of my first experiences with sign language. When I was six years old, I joined a group that taught
…show more content…
Sign language bridges the gap between hearing and deaf people. Learning sign language helps people understand deaf culture. Deaf people are neglected by society. Many people do not consider deaf people disabled because they cannot physically see anything wrong with them. However, it is important to not forget what deaf people endure. Deaf people have made great contributions to society. Without sign language, their gifts could not be shared with the rest of society. Many people who are born deaf cannot speak. It is difficult for them to learn to speak because they have never heard sounds before. Sign language is the same as any other language in the sense that it has its own grammar, pronunciation, and word order. For example, instead of using punctuation like question marks or exclamation points, in ASL, people use facial expressions such as raising their eyebrows to communicate punctuation. There are also different dialects of ASL. Different regions have their own

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    In this book, Deaf in America, by Carol Padden and Tom Humphries, the two authors wrote stories, jokes, performances, and experiences of Deaf people. They also wrote Deaf culture and Deaf people’s lives from various angles. This book is great navigator of Deaf world for hearing people and even Deaf people as me. There are several factors attracting reader. To begin with, I could learn about backgrounds of deaf people and hearing people. Authors wrote about a Deaf boy who was born into a deaf family. Until he discovered that a girl playmate in neighborhood was “hearing”, he didn’t notice about “Others”. Authors explained, “She was HEARING and because of this did not know how to SIGN; instead she and her mother TALK” (Chapter 1). This story strongly impressed me. I was born into a Deaf family too, but I grew up with hearing grandparents. In my childhood, I did intensive oral training with my grandparents. So, I can sign JSL and talk Japanese smoothly. Therefore I never felt emotion like this occasion, “Others” to hearing people. The next factor is difference of “Deaf” and “deaf”. For example, the capitalized “Deaf” people are not only “deaf” but also user of Sign Language. I haven’t known the meaning of “Deaf” and “deaf” exactly before, thanks to this book, now I can understand. When I analyzed myself, I identified as “Deaf” because I truly cherish Sign Language. In addition, Sign Language is explained as a primary mode of communication for Deaf people including me. It has full access to communication for us. Unfortunately, some hearing people misunderstand that Sign Language is a kind of gestural communication. Authors wrote about it, “ASL are often thought to be direct representations of spoken words” (Chapter 3). In my country, Japan, there are some misconceptions about JSL too. Sign Language has both iconic and abstract concept.…

    • 620 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Unit 2: Portfolio Work

    • 4787 Words
    • 20 Pages

    Sign Language is a visual means of communicating using gestures, facial expression, and body language. Sign Language is used mainly by people who are deaf or have hearing impairments”. (2012) British-sign.co.uk. [Online] Available from: http://www.british-sign.co.uk/british-sign-language-bsl/what-is-british-sign-language-bsl/ (Accessed 29 October…

    • 4787 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    If you are communicating to people via the use of sign language, there are many different situations that you can use it in but there are still many barriers to overcome in these situations. For example, if you are communicating with an elderly service user, they may also have problems with their vision as well. This could mean that they can’t communicate effectively as they can’t see/ make out the symbols. It is most likely for them to use glasses. This means that it can help them make out the actions and improve the chances of them understanding the message.…

    • 1364 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Redefining D.E.A.F

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Being honest, from the very beginning of the movie my notions were challenged when I noticed that this video was going to be silent. It only happened to me for a couple seconds and then it became obvious to me that there was no other way to make a video about this matter than soundless. The video itself tries to make a statement to all the viewers so we can reflect on the previous perceptions and preconceptions that we have about the meaning of the word “deaf”. Moreover, it successfully proves that sing languages such as ASL are as valuable and eloquent as any other spoken or written language. In that nature, the video also intends that the movie becomes the grand opening of a series of other artistic production where sign language can be deeply explore and fully understand.…

    • 776 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    As stated before, not knowing anything about the Deaf culture I was committed to learning as much as I could through this short film to expand my knowledge in the Deaf culture. I learned through the film that people who are Deaf have absolutely no problem with not being able to hear and having to talk using Sign Language. The Deaf communities do not consider being Deaf as flawed or even disabled, but believe they were born Deaf for a reason. The Deaf communities consider Sign Language as their own culture or even heritage - just like any other heritage that may practice their own language with others of the same…

    • 484 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Deaf Treatment in 1940's

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages

    It has become widely known that there is a Deaf-World in the United States, as in other nations, citizens whose primary language is American Sign Language (ASL) and who identify as members of that minority culture. The size of the population is not known, but estimates generally range from half a million to a million members (Schein, 1989). The English terms deaf and hearing impaired are commonly used to designate a much larger and more heterogeneous group than the members of the Deaf-World. Most of the 20 million Americans (Binnie, 1994) who are in this larger group had conventional schooling and became deaf after acculturation to hearing society; they communicate primarily in English or one of the spoken minority languages; they generally do not have Deaf spouses; they do not identify themselves as members of the Deaf-World or use its language, participate in its organizations, profess its values, or behave in accord with its mores; rather, they consider themselves hearing people with a…

    • 366 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Qcf Level 3 Unit 3

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages

    ●People with hearing impairments or learning disabilities sometimes use lip reading and sign language to communicate .Sign language systems include finger spelling (dectylography),British Sign Language and Makaton ● A range of graphical signs and symbols are also widely used in health and social care settings to warm people of health and safety hazards,provide directions and give information to people who are unable to speak or understand English. 2A.M1 Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of communication used ,with reference to a one-to-one and a group…

    • 739 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    I understand sign language I say the words of my people I dream about peace and love I try to work the best I can I hope I can understand sign language…

    • 110 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Through Deaf Eyes Review

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Sign language is language that uses visual hand patterns to convey a meaning without using any vocal. It truly is a superb way of communication, although it was not always accepted in society. Wherever communities of deaf people exist, sign language develops. There was no stopping the advancement and the thriving of the deaf culture. This movie shows the reality within the deaf community that both deaf and hearing people go through when trying to provide sufficient opportunities for their children allowing them to enroll in deaf schools either manual or oral.…

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    When I started the first grade, I was lucky enough to be placed in what was coined the tripod program. In this program were deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students in the same class. I was in the program throughout my years in k-12. In elementary school all my teachers would Sim-com, and once I got to 6th grade we had interpreters. Being 7 years old when I started the program, I was able to sponge up the signs rather quickly.…

    • 412 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nowadays, there are many things that distinguish the Hearing world from the Deaf culture. To begin with, the language is essential when communicating. The Hearing world communicates through the English language by speaking and writing to one another to get their message across. As for the Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL) is used. ASL can be seen as a language that is capable of expressing abstract ideas. Therefore, the Deaf culture uses not only signing, but also body movement and facial expressions to communicate effectively. The second big difference between the Hearing world and Deaf culture is the participation to their community. For the Hearing world, being involved with the community is not really important like for the Deaf…

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Deaf People Film Analysis

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages

    During the early rise of deaf education, the use of sign language was seena s inferior. Those who spoke really well recieved more positive attention then those who used sign as a form of communication.…

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sign language is an important form of communication as it aids communication with individuals who are unable to hear or speak. It consists of the use of the hands forming different shapes, movements or symbols to represent a word or phrase and it becoming increasingly popular.…

    • 813 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    I. Imagine watching your favorite movie with no sound, or attending your favorite bands concert and hearing nothing.…

    • 551 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Deaf Cultural Community

    • 1577 Words
    • 7 Pages

    “A cultural community arises when a group of people, communicating through a common language, develops a set of beliefs, social behaviors, and norms” (Slobodzian, 2009). Deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) or another form of sign language such as British Sign Language (BSL) form a cultural community. Culturally, Deaf people carry the view that deafness is a social wonder, instead of a disability. The Deaf community takes pride in their Deaf identity. Deaf people are often classified as a minority group, and may feel misunderstood or cannot connect with those who do not know sign language, especially those whose family cannot communicate in their language. Unlike other cultures, a deaf or hard of hearing person can join in the community…

    • 1577 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays