Understanding Sign Language

How do deaf people communicate?  Through sign language, of course, which is a language that uses signs or patterns that can be recognized visually.  Messages are conveyed not only through hands, but also with the use of other body parts like arms or body and facial expressions.  When learning or understanding sign language, facial expressions complement or negate the conversation.  It could add additional meaning to the conversation. 

Most of us think that just because a person is deaf, he is automatically knowledgeable or would develop knowledge in sign language. There are hundreds of different sign languages and not all deaf people know all of them. There is what we call the “deaf culture.”  Deaf culture is how deaf people are influenced socially, communally and creatively by a sign language.  For example, the American sign language is different from the Britain sign language.  This means that they would also have different grammar rules and signs. 

In some deaf culture, it is preferred that one acts out rather than finger spelling it. in finger spelling, each letter of the English alphabet has a corresponding hand shape. There are some words which are needed to be finger spelled, while there are other words that are preferred to be used with signing. For example in some sign languages, using two hands when signing a number is important, while in the American sign language, you can use just one hand.  Aside from the different signs, they would have also have different grammar rules. 

If you are really keen and serious about learning sign language and having deaf friends, then you would have to be prepared.  Deaf communities are very tightly knit. You would have be patient, humble and persistent to let them know that you are really interested in learning their language and culture and nothing else. You would also have to be conscious on how you address them,  most would prefer being called deaf or hard on hearing rather than hearing –impaired, deaf-mute or anything close to this.  Deaf communities find this offensive. 

If you want to learn sign language, then there are classes that you check.  You could also get involved in activities of deaf friends.  You need to get a good teacher. It is actually difficult to get a good teacher.  Some would say that getting a deaf teacher is better than getting somebody who can still use his tongue. Remarkably, there are also online centers that offer classes.  You would just need to have solid internet connection and at the same time follow the instructions stated from their deaf teachers. 

If you are in the process of learning a sign language, avoid making up signs.  Sign languages are recognized in different countries. If you cannot think or remember the sign for the word, then ask somebody about it like a deaf friend or an authorized sign language interpreter.  If nobody is around, then fingerspell it.  Do not assume that every deaf person that you will see will be enthusiastic in teaching you how to use their language.  You would have to show your sincerity in the interest of learning their language. Aside from that, avoid staring into deaf people when they are communicating with their family, friends or acquaintances. 

Most importantly, we have to remember that deaf only have problems with their auditory part of the body.  It is incorrect to think that because they could not hear, their intellectual capacity is also suffering the same faith.  Since sign languages use different grammar rules, most of the deaf are having problems with writing. But just because their writing is inferior is does not mean that they are of less intelligence.
