Currently, I am pursuing a career in Sign Language Interpreting. So far, I have been learning sign language for over a year, and I love it! Sign Language isn't all learning how to sign, though. You have to learn about the deaf culture, how they act, and what is acceptable to them.
In some areas of the world, culture permits things that other cultures do not. For example, a lot of Spanish countries are very "walk up and give you a big hug." In the United States or Britain, though, people aren't as touchy-feely. Countries like the U.S. feel that personal space is common courtesy, while keeping your distance in another country may not be the norm. Just like these cultures, the deaf culture is a culture all to itself.
Though, at this point, I have not gotten a chance to sign and interact with many deaf people, I have been able to meet and enjoy the company of a few. The deaf tend to be very creative. I have noticed, when speaking with them, that they take in details I may have missed. As for culture, a hearing person may call someone's name to get their attention. A deaf person will flap their hand at the person, or pound on a table. This behavior would not be acceptable in the hearing culture, but in deaf culture, it is not only acceptable, but expected.
One deaf lady was telling me that she lost her hearing to a fever when she was only three years old. I made the mistake of saying, "I'm Sorry." She proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't be sorry, because she can do everything I can do. To tell you the truth, she was right. She is just as capable as I am of doing anything and everything she wants to. Sometimes hearing people tend to look at the deaf as if they are weird or handicapped. The truth is, they are not. I put this theory to a test one day while my mom, brother, and I were getting our oil changed at a car service place. I hadn't spoken at all, and when I realized no one had seen me speak, I started signing to my mom. You wouldn't believe the looks of astonishment on some of the peoples' faces. One man asked my mom (not me...he thought I was deaf) "How long did it take you to learn that?"
I say all that to say this: In a hearing world, the deaf may be looked at as handicapped. However, walk into a deaf club, and you become "handicapped" because you will be the only one who doesn't know how to sign. "Handicapped" is a relative term. That is the way my sign language teacher puts it when she tells us a little about the deaf world and culture.
I encourage you, the reader, to learn a little sign so that if you ever come across a deaf person, you can communicate with them. Oftentimes, the deaf are very happy to see someone even trying to put forth some effort to sign. One method I have found particularly helpful to learning this beautiful language is through video tapes. I have particularly enjoyed "The Bravo Family" video tapes with Billy Seago. They are entertaining and very imformative on the deaf culture and signing. We are members of the Captioned Media Program, which provides video tapes for those interested in signing. If you are interested in learning to sign, find them online and enroll. You won't regret it!
Thank you for taking the time to stop by and visit. I encourage you to come back very soon. I will be posting more information and experiences as I immerse myself more in the deaf culture. Bye! ;)
May 24, 2001
Because it has been a long time since I have added to this page, I decided to post some of the newest happenings. About 5 months ago, I got to interpret for the first time! Though I am not yet certified, I volunteered to help interpret for 3 deaf people (in front of a 2,000 person crowd!). I was so nervous!
I again interpreted for the same people on the 20th of this month. Every time I interpret, I feel a little better equipped for the task. One thing I can tell you from experience, though, is that the most help in this department has not come from a book. Don't get me wrong, in the sign language class I attend, we use sign language books [approved by the NAD (National Association of the Deaf)], and they are fundamental in learning a new language. However, one of the best things is watching someone else sign. For me, it is much easier to learn from observing someone else doing it in real life than just seeing a sign in a book.
Today, I joined a group called "Silent World Group." If you are interested in joining or learning about it, click on the link provided. That is all for now, but you have not heard the last from me! More later.
