Communication for the Deaf World is American Sign Language

The nature in American sign language is to create signs to add to deaf people signs for communicating. Deaf education is the same as the hearing education because it incorporates the

Sign language is language that uses visual hand patterns to convey a meaning without using any vocal. It truly is a superb way of communication, although it was not always accepted in society. Wherever communities of deaf people exist, sign language develops. There was no

Deaf children are entitled to know that they are heirs to an amazing culture, not a pitiful defect. In order to follow through on that obligation, one of the best things I feel we can do is try to educate other hearing people about the realities of American Sign Language and Deaf culture. Language is one of the most critical aspects of most cultures, and one which sets deafness aside from other defects such as blindness, physical disability, or illness. Sign language is not universal, nor does it always correspond to the spoken language in the same country. For example American Sign Language is native to the United States and Canada. Deaf Canadians might use English, French, or both as a written language. But deaf people in Great Britain, while they may write in English, use a completely different sign language. (nad.org)

The main differences besides simply speaking and signing between Deaf and American hearing cultures are that Deaf people have lengthy goodbyes and communicate without

The language of the Deaf is usually consistent with the environment the language is being spoken in. For example, the signs that one can encounter in British Sign Language can be different than signs that are seen in American Sign Language. Although Sign Language itself is very universal, the specific patterns and methods of speaking that are associated with each kind of Deaf Community can be drastically different.

Classifiers are handshapes we use in American sign language (ASL) to show the movement, placement, orientation, size, and shape of a noun. Since ASL is a rule-governed language when using classifiers you must first identify the noun, then you can use the classifier to show how the object moves or is placed in relationship to other objects (Aron). American sign language uses eight different kinds of classifiers for specific categories.

To fully understand why this is a popular debate, we must first explore Deaf culture. Dr. Beth Sonnenstrahl Benedict from the Hands and Voices organization states that “The American Deaf community values American Sign Language as the core of a culturally Deaf identity” (Benedict par 1). Language is a crucial aspect of a culture, and American Sign Language unifies the Deaf community. Although it is often dismissed as a language, ASL has its own unique sentence structure and vocabulary that make it different from English or any other foreign language. Many believe that allowing a deaf child to learn sign language is essential to them embracing their deafness as well as building

The Book I decided to read is called “Seeing Voices: A Journey into the World of the Deaf”. In this book the author Oliver Sacks basically focuses on Deaf history and the community of the deaf developed toward linguistic self-sufficiency. Sacks is a Professor of Neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He became interested in the problem of how deaf children acquire language after reviewing a book by Harlan Lane. The book was titled “When the Mind Hears: A History of the Deaf”. This book was first published in 1984 and was published again in 1989. Before reading Harlan’s book Sacks did not know any sign language. The book encouraged him to begin studying sign language. Sacks became extremely interested on how the deaf learn to communicate with the ability of sound being nonexistent. He wanted to know what this process may tell us about the nature of language. Seeing Voices is made up of three chapters, the history of the deaf, a discussion of language and the brain, and an evaluation of the problems behind the student strike that occurred at Gallaudet University, in March of 1988.

In learning about the deaf culture I have taken on a new understanding about the people it includes. Through readings and the lessons, I have learned that being deaf has both its hardships and its blessings. The beauty of the language alone makes one want to learn all that he or she can about it. In this paper I will discuss the beauty of the language and the misconceptions the hearing world has about deafness.

From the twentieth century until the present of 2015, the people often wonder about how sign language started. Sign language is described as a visual language that is used in combination with facial and body movements to communicate with other Deaf people. The definition of "Deaf" people are the people who use sign language as their "spoken language everyday life"(World Federation of the Deaf 2014, ¶ 1). It is estimated there are about "130 Deaf sign languages"(UCL, Deafness Cognition and Language (DCAL) Research Centre 1999-2015, ¶ 1). More sign languages have recently been recognised as ‘languages’ in their given countries around the world. This essay will attempt to explain the history, culture and social aspects of Australian Sign Language otherwise known as Auslan.

As part of daily life, we communicate and connect ourselves with certain communities. School, jobs, families, sports, extracurricular activities, and many other communities are just a few we come into contact with. Although these may seem to appear the same, there are specific types of communities such as a discourse community. A discourse community is a group of people involved in and communicating about a particular topic, issue, or in a particular field (Webcourses, N.d, Website) that has a share a common set of goals and attempt to achieve these goals (Swales, 1990). According to researcher and educator, John Swales, there are six characteristics that define whether or not a community is considered a discourse community. Following the criteria Swales states is necessary to be a discourse community, I did an in depth research on the American Sign Language community. Through my study, I was able to meet all six characteristics.

Deaf Culture is a true culture just like any other. It has a language, beliefs, rules for behavior, traditions, and everything else every other culture has. However, without sign language, there would be no Deaf Culture. Sign language is the language that ties the culture together. And having a Deaf culture has significantly impacted the lives of deaf people throughout history. With Deaf culture, deaf people have a group they can identify with, a place where they are comfortable and just like everyone else, one where they can have role models, real friends, and join sports

Recently I attended a seminar for work, on childcare and development, where they discussed how to work with children with hearing disabilities. At this event there was a population of predominantly people who used American Sign Language as their primary language as opposed to hearing people speaking. I have had interactions with deaf people before but only on an informal level, because most of the deaf people I have

Teaching basic sign language in school can provide vital knowledge for possible emergency situations and other interactions with deaf individuals. However, it is not the ultimate solution to breaking down the barrier between the “us vs them”. The only way to stop the stereotyping of deaf people is based on the view of the individual. Society can change rules but unless each individual is able to gain the experience of communicating with deaf individuals, prejudices will

Within the introduction the author expresses the importance of educating deaf children threw education and special training that they require and have they had the right to have available to them. The author explains the high importance sign language plays and the advantages it gives them insight, intervention into the deaf community. ASL, or sign language is essential within in this deaf community. Sign language is a creation of the deaf community’s history and it allows them to fulfill their protentional intertwined with all different types of cultures that sign language is built on.