Deaf Culture
Some people do not think that the deaf language is really a language. It is not the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of language. When you think of language, you think English, Spanish, German, French, etc. But the deaf language is important and a really fascinating language to learn! Also when some people think of the word, deaf, they think disabled. "The neglect here is almost unimaginable- and it's not just neglect from the Beckley staff but from the world itself- the world that has carried on with its daily business while keeping all these men invisible deposited elsewhere, in a slew of the nation's most obscure corners." (Jamison pg. 148-149). Many, many people way back in time, thought deafness was a disability, a way of God punishing his children. The deaf children, adults, and older people were not allowed to read, write or speak! It was an awful time but now, the whole world is better for the deaf culture and they have learned to read, write and some speak. Even have their own language called American Sign Language or ASL for short.
http://www.deafeyeseeit.com/2016/04/01/ag-bell-belittles-nyle-dimarco/
"I was awkward and gangly and self-conscious pretty much all the time, except when I was running, he wrote to me once. Running made me feel free and smooth and happy." (Jamison pg. 133-134). This is the exact same but with American Sign Language. At first many people thought their deafness was unfair and they wish they could hear but once ASL kicks in, they are proud of being deaf. This one girl named, Lauren, wrote a paper about her deafness and how it has affected her. She explained how signing had a lot of action and loved the amount of expression this language has. She is proud and she should be. Deafness is a special factor in deaf people's lives. It what makes them, them.
I am not deaf but I took ASL for my first 2 years in high school and really enjoyed it. ASL is a thrilling language. You use your hands to sign in order to communicate. They do not follow the English grammar or even most of the language, it is a natural language. For example, " The dog is not home today.", in ASL word order it would be, "Dog not home today", they do not have signs for "the" or "is". This is what makes the language easier than English and signing is fun, creative, and like Lauren said full of action!
My favorite sign is "Why not".
http://mindforums.com/the-psychology-of-deafness
25 Basic ASL signs, have fun learning!
Works Cited
Jamison, Leslie. The Empathy Exams. N.p.: Audible Studios on Brilliance, 2015. Print.
Debbie Clason, Staff Writer, Healthy Hearing Debbie Clason holds a Master's Degree from Indiana University. Her Impressive Client List Includes Financial Institutions, Real Estate Developers, Physicians, Pharmacists and Nonprofit Organizations.Rea. "The Importance of Deaf Culture." Healthy Hearing. N.p., 22 Sept. 2014. Web. 08 May 2017.
"Know-the-ADA." Knowing Your Disability - The History of Deafness. Arizona Office for Americans with Disabilities, n.d. Web. 08 May 2017.
Gray, Lisa. "I’m Proud of Being Deaf." Listen to Our Stories: Words, Pictures, and Songs by Young People with Disabilities. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2017
Jay, Michelle. "Deaf Culture." Start ASL. N.p., Aug. 2008. Web. 08 May 2017.
"Sign for WHY NOT." Signing Savvy. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2017
Ashleyclarkfry. "25 Basic ASL Signs For Beginners | Learn ASL American Sign Language." YouTube. YouTube, 22 Oct. 2016. Web. 08 May 2017.
