Chapter 1:
After going to ATP and enrolling in ASL for the fall semester I was so excited! I had participated in a few sign language classes at my church, but was looking forward to expanding my skills. Also, I figured since I am a communication disorders major that taking this course would benefit me in the long run! When I pulled up the course syllabus however, I was a little discouraged. We have to read a BOOK?! AND blog about it? BLAH! I hate reading and I honestly didn't understand why we had to read to comprehend a visual language! Boy was I surprised when I sat down and found myself quickly and willingly reading through the chapters. I loved being immersed in the history of the language and I was actually learning so many things I had never even considered.
Before taking this class I had never met any deaf individuals, but I certainly have never considered Sign Language to be "animal-like." Personally, I believe that the language is so beautiful and interesting that I even take offense to that stereotype. It shocked me to learn that "linguists have only recently started to pay serious attention to ASL as a language." I guess I just assumed that it was just another form of communication that was socially accepted just not of high importance to be added to the curriculum of the majority of schools in the U.S.
Sorry, I am sappy, but I just think it is absolutely touching how American Sign Language cultivated in the U.S. Two men both passionate about the education of deaf children in New England set a small spark that has grown into the development of deaf universities, colleges, and sign-language courses all of which continue to earn respect and grow today.
Chapter 2:
My original beliefs about ASL were completely contradicted by this chapter. I always thought that Sign Language was universal! "Friend" in English is the same as "amigo" in Spanish, so wouldn't they just have the same sign? Guess not! Although that would be much easier to understand, I think it is pretty neat! What I find even better is that American Sign Language has different dialects. Who Knew? I took a trip to NYC one time and got some pretty strange looks when I used the word "y'all." I just thought everyone knew what that was and used it just as frequently as I did. I was in deep culture shock when my dad explained to me that "we weren't in kentucky anymore." It almost broke my heart, but as I have grown I have learned to appreciate the regional differences in our language so it's very interesting that sign language is not only universal, but unique to various areas of our country as well!
As far as "Gestuno," I like the idea of it. I believe if I was deaf at such an occasion as at the DEAF WAY International Conference and Festival I would be very appreciative of the simple and recognizable language.
Chapter 3:
I certainly am not the brightest crayon in the box, but I do know the difference between Braille and ASL.
I completely agree with this chapter: it is pretty easy to pick out a blind person in a crowd and extremely difficult to distinguish a deaf person unless they are communicating in sign language. And yes, I completely feel that blind individuals have more respect in our society over deaf individuals.
With that being said I do feel like it would be more complicated to live with a blind disability. I absolutely can not imagine how even simple daily tasks are for a blind person. Never being able to see the changes of seasons, the faces of loved ones, the natural beauties of the world would be the most daunting thing to me. I have so much respect and admiration for blind individuals.
Because I love signing so much sometimes I would enjoy turning my hearing off for a little while, but ultimately being deaf would be almost as terrible as being blind. People living with both conditions are amazing and tough individuals. It is so hard for me to even think about loosing these senses.
Chapter 4:
Epee must have been a "savior" to the deaf community back then. His willingness to "learn from the deaf themselves" instead of trying to make them hearing persons had to be a blessing. As the book states "he recognized the importance of sign language as the best way to communicate with and educate deaf people." This idea has obviously been successful. As far as Sicard is concerned he initiated a domino effect which landed in America setting the roots for the significant influence of French on American Sign Language.
Chapter 5:
Since I have already learned that ASL in mainly influenced by FSL, it makes sense that ASL is not similar to British Sign Language. Yes, American English and British English are extremely similar, but Sign Language is an entire different language. Sign language isn't even similar to American English so it only makes sense that BSL and ASL would be different.
Like everyone else my favorite part of this chapter was the excerpt on Princess Diana. Wow! It shows a lot about a political leader and public figure to dedicate time to learn a language that is not widely accepted or understood. How great would it be if more public figures dedicated time to learn this language that is used by so many in our society today? I understand that it is hard, I am already overwhelmed, but imagine the respect our leaders would gain and the boost of moral we could have over all!
And on a side note, good for America for putting the phrase "deaf and dumb" on the politically incorrect list. I'm grateful that our deaf communities are not oppressed and efforts are being made to improve the deaf culture.
Chapter 6:
So ASL grammar and syntax has been the most confusing aspect for me so far. I'm not confident that I will ever grasp it...yikes! It is going to take effort and practice but as this chapter bluntly shared "With ASL you have to abandon English thinking and think visually. It's not easy." This is pretty comforting to know that it's not just me; it is difficult to understand. I had never heard of glossing and was frightened when I first saw Stacey use it in class. I'm glad this book is teaching me something new each chapter!
Chapter 7:
My high school librarian gave me an American Sign Language dictionary for graduation because she knew I was interested in ASL. I got a little curious this summer and was flipping through it completely lost. Glad this chapter informed me that I'm not just a goof ball. Learning from my instructor and others around me has been the best way to learn ASL. In my opinion there is absolutely no way to learn from a dictionary or book because it is not a written language.
Even though the dictionary didn't benefit me in the way that I had hoped, I have a great deal of respect for Dr. William C. Stokoe. He devised one of the first and most important things we learned in ASL 1- HOLMS! Handshape, palm orientation, location, movement, signals.
Chapter 8:
Consider for a moment the following
statement: Children grow up studying the
English language pretty much every year of their education (Primary, Secondary
and Post Secondary), most schools do not offer ASL and if they do its only for
2 years maximum in high school. Should
Deaf students have the opportunity to formally learn ASL or does it not matter?
Why or why not?
I am going to go right off the reflection sheet for this one. It crawls all over me that children with this disability are not equipped with the tools necessary for their success. In order for an individual to be successful they must have communication skills. English speaking children are trained everyday to communicate in a successful manner. We learn all about grammar, syntax, dialogue, etc. Why in the world is it okay for deaf children to go to school without the same type of care or formal training? It's NOT! It's not okay that for a century sign language was "ignored, despised, and outlawed." I understand that deaf individuals will always learn and grow their language based on the teachings of other deaf individuals or their families, but we need to step it up and quit relying on these few people to educated our deaf community. They deserve the same formal training as any hearing/speaking child and programs need to be in effect now.
Chapter 9:
I love to laugh. It's probably my favorite thing to do. But honestly, I've never enjoyed puns. So, I don't believe the deaf culture is missing out on anything to exciting when it comes to that aspect.
I appreciate their type of humor using mimes, gestures, and sign-play. I think of it as miming, which I find fun! I just consider deaf people to have a different sense of humor, which is true of all individuals. Everyone can laugh and make jokes and I think I would enjoy a joke with a deaf individual just as easily as I could with another hearing person.
WHOA, David Anthony! Back off a little bit! Obviously some hearing people do care and appreciate the deaf culture so let's be careful not to point fingers on all of the "non-Deaf."
If this book wasn't entitled "For Hearing People Only" I would not have had the slightest bit of interest because quite honestly before this book I was "pathetically uniformed." And no I do not consider myself to be "non-Deaf." I am hearing and I don't feel superior based on my label.
Chapter 10:
"Linguistic snobbery certainly exists in the deaf community." That is my favorite sentence in this chapter. I think it is so funny and interesting! Have you ever had a conversation with someone who's vocabulary just completely blows your mind? It's like every other word is just said to make you feel uneducated, and they are proud of it. When I read this chapter that is immediately what I thought of. It makes total sense- those who are more experienced or proud of their signing ability can show it off and be noticeably different than another signer who recently learned. It is all considered to be an accent. I would definitely enjoy seeing a conversation between a very well educated lawyer and a not-so smart blue collar worker.
