Through Deaf Eyes Summary
Through Deaf Eyes
It was interesting to hear, and see, what kind of challenges that deaf people faced. One of the people I found interesting was. A hearing French professor had brought the language from France and that was how it signing had started. I thought that was interesting, because not only was it a long time to create a form of communication for the deaf community; they were also mistreated for their inability to communicate with the rest of the world. Another person that I found interesting, was Alexander Gram Bell, had a wife and mother, who were deaf. On top of that, it was startling at first, to hear that the deaf community treated him as a sort of “boogeyman.” I found it fascinating that he is well known in a hearing class for inventing the telephone, but in the deaf class, he is known for starting the Oralism form of communication in the deaf community. Along with that, Bell fought against having sign language being taught, because he felt that it was a “borrowed language.” Instead he wanted the people community to learn to speak and read lips. It was interesting to hear, because I assumed that most people who were deaf just learned sign language for their communication. …show more content…
It was shocking to me, the repercussions of Oralism.
It sent a shockwave of feelings both the hearing and the deaf world. Strong feelings of negativity occurred, and it became “shameful” to sign in public. Some kids even were punished for doing so. I never have experienced a repercussion for doing something as simple as talking. So I feel that it was completely disgusting to shame someone for doing something as necessary as communicating. I find it outrageous for some people to push there believes and opinions on to the younger generation, because they find something inappropriate. After hearing that Alexander Bell fought for this cause, I can understand why some people would go as far as calling him a
“boogeyman.”
Something else that I found outstanding was, a device that works similar to texting. At that point it was called a teletypewriter or TTY, and it was a form of written communication sent electronically. It was invented in 1964 by Robert Weitbrecht. The reason I thought it was outstanding was, it seemingly acts an early form of what we use now, texting. It also gave the deaf people a great way to communicate long distance during the time that hearing people could talk over the telephone.
Also, it seems ridiculous that the student body, faculty, and alumni, had to fight with their Trustees to get a deaf president in Gallaudet College for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Board of Trustees met to decide between three candidates and chose the only hearing person as the next president of Gallaudet University. Even after, strong opinions from faculty and students expressing their desire for a deaf president. When that demand was not met, they organized a protest and successfully overthrew the chairwomen of the Trustees and the newly elected president. I think it is splendid that they eventually triumphed over their oppressors in this case, but it is unfortunate that they had to even fight over something as simple as a president that the student body could feel as though they relate too.
Overall, my impression of the movie was extremely positive. The movie was filled with a ton of new information and it helped me create an understanding of the history that deaf people carry with them. It helped me better understand why some people who are deaf, don’t know sign language. As well as, create a better understanding of the community and culture that deaf people live in.
It was interesting to hear, and see, what kind of challenges that deaf people faced. One of the people I found interesting was. A hearing French professor had brought the language from France and that was how it signing had started. I thought that was interesting, because not only was it a long time to create a form of communication for the deaf community; they were also mistreated for their inability to communicate with the rest of the world. Another person that I found interesting, was Alexander Gram Bell, had a wife and mother, who were deaf. On top of that, it was startling at first, to hear that the deaf community treated him as a sort of “boogeyman.” I found it fascinating that he is well known in a hearing class for inventing the telephone, but in the deaf class, he is known for starting the Oralism form of communication in the deaf community. Along with that, Bell fought against having sign language being taught, because he felt that it was a “borrowed language.” Instead he wanted the people community to learn to speak and read lips. It was interesting to hear, because I assumed that most people who were deaf just learned sign language for their communication. …show more content…
It was shocking to me, the repercussions of Oralism.
It sent a shockwave of feelings both the hearing and the deaf world. Strong feelings of negativity occurred, and it became “shameful” to sign in public. Some kids even were punished for doing so. I never have experienced a repercussion for doing something as simple as talking. So I feel that it was completely disgusting to shame someone for doing something as necessary as communicating. I find it outrageous for some people to push there believes and opinions on to the younger generation, because they find something inappropriate. After hearing that Alexander Bell fought for this cause, I can understand why some people would go as far as calling him a
“boogeyman.”
Something else that I found outstanding was, a device that works similar to texting. At that point it was called a teletypewriter or TTY, and it was a form of written communication sent electronically. It was invented in 1964 by Robert Weitbrecht. The reason I thought it was outstanding was, it seemingly acts an early form of what we use now, texting. It also gave the deaf people a great way to communicate long distance during the time that hearing people could talk over the telephone.
Also, it seems ridiculous that the student body, faculty, and alumni, had to fight with their Trustees to get a deaf president in Gallaudet College for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Board of Trustees met to decide between three candidates and chose the only hearing person as the next president of Gallaudet University. Even after, strong opinions from faculty and students expressing their desire for a deaf president. When that demand was not met, they organized a protest and successfully overthrew the chairwomen of the Trustees and the newly elected president. I think it is splendid that they eventually triumphed over their oppressors in this case, but it is unfortunate that they had to even fight over something as simple as a president that the student body could feel as though they relate too.
Overall, my impression of the movie was extremely positive. The movie was filled with a ton of new information and it helped me create an understanding of the history that deaf people carry with them. It helped me better understand why some people who are deaf, don’t know sign language. As well as, create a better understanding of the community and culture that deaf people live in.