Lesson 1 Flashcards
Who uses sign language? How do the identity?
Deaf people
- Identify as their own separate culture within hearing society
What is the difference between ‘Deaf’ and ‘deaf’
Deaf: Referring to the unique culture
deaf: Referring to someone who has lost their hearing but does not know sign language
How far back does ASL go? Who documented it?
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
How does Aristotle oppose Socrates? What were they referred to as?
He believed Deaf people were “unteachable” since they could not speak
- “Deaf and Dumb”
What happened in the 1500’s? What did the Deaf community do?
Sign language was frowned upon and Deaf people couldn’t sign
- They secretly gestured and the signs began to emerge again
What happened with sign language in Spain and France? Who opened up the first school for Deaf children?
Developed a more formal language of sign
- Charles-Michel de l’Epee opened the first Deaf children school using French sign language
What happened to the Deaf people in America? Did this last?
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
What did Clerc and Gallaudet do together?
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
Did Clerc and Gallaudet work last long?
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
How did the Deaf end oralism? Protests?
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)
What are the 4 characteristics of Deaf culture?
1) A share language
2) A history
3) A common set of behaviours
4) A shared set of values
What is an example of Deaf culture in comparison to hearing people?
Waving vs. clapping at the end of the performance
What term to Deaf people prefer? What do they dislike?
Prefer Deaf
Dislike Deaf Mute or Hearing Impaired
What should you call someone who hasn’t lost all their hearing ability?
Hard of hearing
If you use ASL, are you part of the Deaf culture?
No, you are part of the Deaf community
- We are signers, interpreters, friends, and family of Deaf people - we makeup the Deaf community
What is a person with hearing ability considered who signs?
Part of the Deaf community and a “hearing person”
Is sign language universal?
No
- From America to France, the language changes
- Each country has their own sign language
What other types of sign language is there in America?
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
What does signing what we mean in ASL actually mean?
We sign what we mean rather than the correct grammar structure of an English sentence; not signing word for word
Is sign language actually a language?
The Deaf community thinks so, in fact, William Stokoe compared the structure of sign language to other languages and published research showing similarities
What are the components of sign language?
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)
Are there personal preferences with sign language?
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)
How to sign:
- The 3 types of hand movements?
- Which hand do I use?
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
Where do you sign?
Signing space
- Imaginary square
Where do you look when signing?
Eye contact is crucial
- Look at their eyes and use peripheral to sign
Sign numbers 0-15
N/A
What changes when signing numbers 0-5? Hint: Where does your palm face?
Nouns or objects your palm faces inwards at yourself vs. when the number is alone your palm always faces outward away from yourself
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?
- 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
