Lesson 1

Question 1

Who uses sign language? How do the identity?

Answer 1

Deaf people

- Identify as their own separate culture within hearing society

Question 2

What is the difference between ‘Deaf’ and ‘deaf’

Answer 2

Deaf: Referring to the unique culture

deaf: Referring to someone who has lost their hearing but does not know sign language

Question 3

How far back does ASL go? Who documented it?

Answer 3

470-399 B.C.
- Gesturing can be documented by Socrates who talked about those who could not hear/see and thought they should use their hands/bodies to communicate

Question 4

How does Aristotle oppose Socrates? What were they referred to as?

Answer 4

He believed Deaf people were “unteachable” since they could not speak
- “Deaf and Dumb”

Question 5

What happened in the 1500’s? What did the Deaf community do?

Answer 5

Sign language was frowned upon and Deaf people couldn’t sign

- They secretly gestured and the signs began to emerge again

Question 6

What happened with sign language in Spain and France? Who opened up the first school for Deaf children?

Answer 6

Developed a more formal language of sign

- Charles-Michel de l’Epee opened the first Deaf children school using French sign language

Question 7

What happened to the Deaf people in America? Did this last?

Answer 7

Began to settle in the 1600’s where they could sign to each other, marry and live with each other too
- No, the communities dispersed until 1800’s where Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet wanted to bring religion to Deaf people

Question 8

What did Clerc and Gallaudet do together?

Answer 8

Returned to the USA with a form of sign language of French and English combined

• Set up schools
• Turning point in history of sign language
• Communities flourished; organizations and schools

Question 9

Did Clerc and Gallaudet work last long?

Answer 9

No, oralism was the new approach to teaching Deaf children (Deaf children should learn to speak/lipread so they can live alongside hearing people)
- Sign language was forbidden

Question 10

How did the Deaf end oralism? Protests?

Answer 10

They found it hard to lipread so they set up club and organizations in the 1960’s until their voices were heard around the world in 1988
- Protests were held at the Gallaudet University and the first Deaf president of the University was hired (Dr. I. King Jordan)

Question 11

What are the 4 characteristics of Deaf culture?

Answer 11

1) A share language
2) A history
3) A common set of behaviours
4) A shared set of values

Question 12

What is an example of Deaf culture in comparison to hearing people?

Answer 12

Waving vs. clapping at the end of the performance

Question 13

What term to Deaf people prefer? What do they dislike?

Answer 13

Prefer Deaf

Dislike Deaf Mute or Hearing Impaired

Question 14

What should you call someone who hasn’t lost all their hearing ability?

Answer 14

Hard of hearing

Question 15

If you use ASL, are you part of the Deaf culture?

Answer 15

No, you are part of the Deaf community

- We are signers, interpreters, friends, and family of Deaf people - we makeup the Deaf community

Question 16

What is a person with hearing ability considered who signs?

Answer 16

Part of the Deaf community and a “hearing person”

Question 17

Is sign language universal?

Answer 17

No

• From America to France, the language changes
• Each country has their own sign language

Question 18

What other types of sign language is there in America?

Answer 18

SEE Signs (Signing Exact English): This form signs every word in the sentence and adds letters with the signs, typically used in public schools

Pidgin Signs: Combination of English word order, tends to be used by those not familiar with linguistic structures of ASL

Question 19

What does signing what we mean in ASL actually mean?

Answer 19

We sign what we mean rather than the correct grammar structure of an English sentence; not signing word for word

Question 20

Is sign language actually a language?

Answer 20

The Deaf community thinks so, in fact, William Stokoe compared the structure of sign language to other languages and published research showing similarities

Question 21

What are the components of sign language?

Answer 21

1) Signs themselves which are made up of 4 parts themselves
2) Fingerspelling
3) Space around us where you place your signs
4) Facial movements that accompany signs to help convey meaning
5) Body shifts which add info to what you are saying
6) Grammar (does not always follow English)

Question 22

Are there personal preferences with sign language?

Answer 22

Yes, think of someone who’s voice variates in pitch, etc.

• Deaf people too have different signing styles… some slowing vs. some quick, etc.
• Variation of signs (try to learn both)

Question 23

How to sign:

• The 3 types of hand movements?
• Which hand do I use?

Answer 23

We categorize the movement of each sign into 3 categories:

1) Signs in which both hands move
2) Signs in which only one hand moves
3) Signs in which both hands move but do different things

Therefore, when you sign, your dominant hand does most of the moving

Question 24

Where do you sign?

Answer 24

Signing space

- Imaginary square

Question 25

Where do you look when signing?

Answer 25

Eye contact is crucial

- Look at their eyes and use peripheral to sign

Question 26

Sign numbers 0-15

Answer 26

N/A

Question 27

What changes when signing numbers 0-5? Hint: Where does your palm face?

Answer 27

Nouns or objects your palm faces inwards at yourself vs. when the number is alone your palm always faces outward away from yourself

Question 28

Summary:

• What does sign language involve?
• Is sign language international?
• Where can you find variations of ASL?
• Are there different sign systems used in USA/Canada?
• Does sign language follow English grammar structure?
• What hands moves and what hand may or may not move?
• Where do you sign?
• Where do you look when signing?

Answer 28

• Involves fingerspelling, signs, facial expressions , and body shifts
• No, speakers in different countries have signs to go with their own languages
• Within your own local area and around USA/Canada… it’s the language of the Deaf culture and community
• Yes
• No, it has its own grammar structure
• Dominant hand moves, non-dominant hand may or may not move with
• In front of your body
• At their eyes and use peripheral to read signing