Ah, Marlee Matlin. I fell in love with this actress in "Children of a Lesser God." And, have enjoyed watching her movies, and shows. The ultimate deaf woman based on how I see she presents herself in public. And, her latest work, "Switched at Birth:" my new favorite TV show.Deaf Culture
As a late deafened adult, I am not privy to the intricacies of Deaf Culture. My perception is, it is a world unto themselves, and to breach that world is an atrocity. Deaf culture does not include hearing people very well, if at all. I don't know why this mentality has developed, but they are a tight bunch. So tight, it is a family.
Perhaps, this evolved because the hearing world doesn't include deaf culture easily, or readily. And, to create a world for the deaf is significant because it is normalcy for them. Most hearing people don't understand, so perhaps, it's a culture shock movement to help hearing people understand the difficulties the deaf face in hearing culture. One can only surmise.
Maybe, I'm totally wrong and have no clue!
Deaf Schools
Having worked in a setting servicing deaf and hearing impaired individuals, I had good fortune to sit on the cusp of deaf culture. I was able to frequent a deaf school, and watch those students thrive in their world.
I have mixed emotions regarding ASL (American Sign Language) and English. Syntax is quite different. I can see where ASL is easier to express, but to fit into the English world, one has to know English. Just like the Spanish language, where people have the option to press 1 for English, and 2 for Spanish, ASL is another foreign language for the hearing world. Bi-lingual is a better option for ANYONE, deaf, Spanish, French, English, whomever.
ASL
Talking about culture shock. When I was loosing my hearing, my world was completely thrown for a loop. Everything I was was fading away, and knowing my place was becoming more uncomfortable. After taking a quick sign language course at a local church, I remembered the teacher talking about the "JCCDES," a local center for the deaf.
I called that center, and went in as a client first, a guest speaker at the 20th anniversary, and subsequently an employee.
Having little knowledge of sign language, I was thrust into the working environment. My first interview was with a deaf woman who signed as fast as she could to intimidate me, and teach me a thing or two about deaf culture.
Ultimately, I met another client who taught me three new words everyday. And, with the help of co-workers, and training, I was able to develop passible communication skills. Immersion is the best way to learn a new language.
Accents
Yup, sign language has accents. Although, ASL is a universal language, differences in individual signs are determined on where you are in the world. Ohio, and Alabama differ; Europe, and the US differs. Nuances, and variations are there. Who knew! LOL
Use it or lose it
After leaving the center's employ, I had no need to sign other than when my mother and I would go out for lunch, or dinner. We would practice with each other and learn our own little version so we could discretely communicate amongst ourselves.
For those of you who knew my mother, you know her mouth was moving every waking second. She would talk until she couldn't force another word for being out of breath. That was the way she signed, gums flapping. LOL I loved her so much, and miss her terribly.
I still sign some with my family. Abigail, my 4 year old niece is learning fairly well. My sons have no desire to learn. And, my hearing loss causes problems with the hubster. He gets frustrated with me when I don't hear the phone, or I'm not looking at him when he talks (somedays I don't have to which sends mixed signals), nor does he want to learn sign which makes me sad. This isn't a poor reflection on him, just relating the personal experiences which can cause confusion, and create havoc in the life of a hearing impaired individual. But, to each his/her own. I love signing!
Hearing Impaired
I think people with hearing impairment are more misunderstood than those who are totally deaf. There are many factors that determine the amount I hear, and it changes daily.
Stopped up ears from traveling, (you know, you need to yawn to pop your ears open), sinus problems, weather, allergies, colds, foods, medications, tinnitus, etc. are all variables that affect my hearing loss.
If you can hear some, people think you can hear always. And, that just isn't the case. So, I believe it is easier to be deaf, and every one know it, than hearing impaired and people being frustrated with you.
Applications
There are applications on smart phones that help hearing impaired, and aid hearing individuals. My favorite is "Marlee Signs." Marlee Matlin teaches sign language on this application. There are several free units, and more for purchase.
Marlee does, however, recommend enrolling in a sign language class at it is an immersion technique, fun, and informative regarding syntax of ASL.
And, BioAid is a beta project. A hearing impaired individual can use his/her phone to aid in watching TV in the home so the TV doesn't have to be turned up so loud. The need for expensive personal listening devices is somewhat diminished.
Nothing can beat the clarity of an FM system (a personal listening device), but just for watching TV, my BioAid application is fantastic.
The Signed Holy Bible is also available as an application. This one is fantastic in helping you learn to sign; so expressive. It's another of my favorites!
Babies
Oh, babies, sweet little bundles of joy without the ability to effectively communicate needs, and wants. But, studies show that using sign language with babies can help establish communication abilities months earlier than waiting for verbal communication skills to develop. Can you imagine how frustrated babies get when an adult provider doesn't understand?
Go ahead, buy a book, DVDs, applications, and flash cards to help you learn to communicate with the wee ones.
Transition
Finding my place in the world of hearing loss has been a struggle, but it has been an informative road to travel. I love to learn, so it forced me out of my comfort zone, and gave me the opportunity to learn this beautifully expressive language.
For years, I asked God, "Why, Why my hearing?" I can't sing anymore, "Why!" Finally, God said, "So you can hear ME better." God's ways are not my ways, and I had/have a hard time accepting it, but His plan for me is perfect, and I trust Him.
I do enjoy learning sign language, growing my skills as I'm not fluent, and helping others learn about this remarkable voice.
So, the next time you want something to learn, visit Marlee Signs! It's free for the beginning, and perhaps you will find the desire and joy of learning ASL.
