Entering the Deaf World (Some Tips in Learning the Deaf Culture and Sign Language)

I have been involved in deaf community for more than 11 years. It wasn't that easy because it involves learning not just their language, rather, their culture as well. If you are a newbie in the field, you should first learn about their culture then the basic sign language alphabet. Sign language in different countries varies, but here in the Philippines, there are lots of similarities with American Sign Language.

Those were the basics in sign language, the alphabet and the numbers.

Tips in Sign Language

If you're just starting or a newbie signer, there are things that you should keep in mind so you can communicate well with deaf people. I wrote some of the things you can learn on.

• First step, of course is learn the alphabet. Fingerspelling is essential in sign language.

• If you have a 'love sign' book, don't rely into it. You shoud learn about sentence construction. Follow the OSV which means Object-Subject-Verb.

• Not all words with signs are significant to use. Example, He or She, The, Are or Is, and other demonstrative pronoun/adjectives.

• Learn the Classifiers. To know more about classifiers (which is a broad topic), you can search through Google and even Wikipedia. Those can help.

• Proper spacings. Words shoudn't be signed in one particular directions. Shoud learn to use 'left, middle and right' directions.

• Avoid overuse of fingerspelling. Don't fingerspell an entire sentence. I once evaluated a sign language student, and fingerspelled 95% of a paragraph. Honestly, I didn't understand what her story is all about.

• Body language. We should learn how to use our body in signing. It's actually part of spatials in signing.

• Use proper facial expression. Will you smile when you're signing 'sad'? Or frown when you're signing 'happy'? Absolutely no. Learn how to synchronize signs and facial expressions.

• Not all words have signs, so learn how to use natural signings. Natural signs are easy to use, simple gestures can be one.

• Learn to ACT out. Acting a situation or story can be easily understood and attention grabber.

There are still lots to remember when learning sign language. It might be difficult to learn but the fulfillment can't be equated to anything else once you mastered the language.

Facts about deaf people

It might be difficult to communicate with people who are hearing and speech impaired, but once you got along with them, you will realize they're one of the nicest people. As a signer, I had some difficulties dealing with them during my earlier years (even still now, there are challenges) associating with these people, but as time flies, it was such a great fulfillment to be able to understand them, know them better both culturally and personally.

Here are some of the facts about these people with such disabilities (Note: These are all according to my observations in 11 years of association with them):

1. These people with this impairment are sensitive. So we should be careful on what we tell them.

2. They're very observant on your actions.

3. They're often paranoid. So once you're having a laugh with someone, make sure you won't look at them. They might think you are laughing at them.

4. Some deaf and mute people are outcast from hearing people. So we should be wise on how we'll approach them.

5. Majority of them were unschooled. If you're a signer, adapt to their capabilities. Do natural signs. If not a signer, you can easily communicate with them through natural signs.

6. Not all hearing/speech impaired people are inborn. Some are afflicted with disease, overdosage of medicines, accidents, and some are even victims of faith healer failures.

7. Not all deaf and mute people can read or understand words. So if you're communicating with them through writing or typing on mobile phones, make sure they can understand words.

8. if the deaf and mute person you're talking to can read, make sure he/she understands the word, cause they can't understand all the words that we use.

9. Not all deaf and mute people were the same when it comes to behavior and attitudes. They're just like us, hearing people, behaviors varies.

These are some of the need-to-know. Longevity of accompaniment with them will make you know more about them.

The picture shows group of people connecting the "I Love You" hand sign.

Singing in sign language

If you think there's no music in sign language, you are wrong, We also sing in sign language, and we do chorus as well. There's a video of song signing which we are copying.

Look at this sample of song signing in Filipino Sign Language. The song was "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.

This song signing was in American Sign Language. The song used was "Heathens" by Twenty One Pilots. This girl interpreted it really well im sign language, with the tempo accordingly with her movements.

This one is also in ASL. The song was "Best Thing I Never Had" by Beyonce.

By watching sign language videos, you can learn a lot about the hand signs, as well as how songs are interpreted

Thanks for stopping by!

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Photo Credits:
Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/en/hand-gestures-gestures-impaired-40468/
https://pixabay.com/en/hands-sign-language-circle-541830/
Videos from YouTube.com