March 3rd, 2013 by Rachel | Tags: ASL, Life, Misconceptions, Opinion, Switched at Birth | 6 Comments »
“The solution for “Switched at Birth” was to make sure every scene included a deaf character: ‘The truth is, when you’re around people who are deaf, it’s considered rude not to sign if you know how,” Weiss said.’”
This quote by Lizzy Weiss from an article about Switched at Birth’s upcoming all-ASL episode has really struck the cord. As a deaf person who speaks and hears with cochlear implants and does not know sign language, I find this quote to be very misleading because a large number of deaf people do not communicate in sign language. This quote, which implies that all deaf people communicate in sign language, is also an example that creates a myth that continues to be perpetuated.
For instance, when I am out in the public and wearing my hair in a ponytail and my CIs are visible, I have been in situations where some people come up to me and sign to me. My response is always, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know sign language. I hear and speak.” This is a perfect example of a situation where individuals who know sign language need to be cautious about assuming which deaf individuals communicate in sign language. While I understand that they do mean well, I would appreciate more if individuals ask me first before starting to sign because I do not understand sign language.
NOTE ABOUT COMMENTING: Because Cochlear Implant Online is a place to celebrate the miracles of cochlear implants and to provide support for those who choose to speak and hear with cochlear implants, we would like you to please be mindful when writing comments. This is not the place to debate about which communication method is better, as the article does not speak about which method is better. It is about ensuring the inclusion of all deaf people and in accurately portraying the reality of a large number of deaf people in the 21st century. Because no person needs to feel bad about their choice of communication, any comments that merely criticize people’s choice of communication will not be approved.
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6 Comments
Amy
March 3, 2013 at 2:17 pm
As a mother of 3 children who are deaf/hoh this has happened to us countless times. Whether someone has asked fist, or just started signing to my children, we’ve always had to say, I’m sorry we don’t sign, or we only know a little ASL. However, we have recently begun re-learning ASL so that our children will be bi-lingual. For us, it was important that our children have access to both the hearing world and the Deaf community. We chose to make them oral, and do not regret that choice. But we want them to also be fluent in ASL, so that as they grow older, any choices for communication they want to make are available to them. I never felt guilty for not knowing ASL in the past, and I knew people meant well. It honestly never bothered me, and the kids seemed unphased. They are still quite young of course, so who knows!
Anne
March 3, 2013 at 5:00 pm
When I mention that I have a deaf daughter, the response is very often, “Oh, so you know sign!” When I say no, my daughter wears cochlear implants and listens and talks, I usually get a blank look and the conversation is pretty much over.
I would think people would be fascinated and excited that this is possible for deaf people, yet they always seem disappointed that sign isn’t a part of it.
I guess if I met a blind person I would assume that she knew braille, but maybe someday there will be some technology that makes that unnecessary too.
Julia
March 4, 2013 at 8:08 pm
I think its pretty rude when hearing people come up to us anyway- just because we are deaf is not a reason to approach us and talk about our deaf experience.
I teach ASL to hearing people and remind them to be aware that 1. Not all deaf people communicate the same way and 2. They are not entitled to approach deaf people just because they know sign language.
Its a big bummer that it often turns into one or the other. The deaf person is expected to hear and repair themselves, or they are expected to use only language and don’t speak at all. The hearing gaze on our experience is really awkward. Sometimes the way deaf people view and approach each other is awkward too.
Julia
March 4, 2013 at 8:10 pm
But as for Lizzy Weiss’s statement- I think it is unhelpful for hearing people to not sign/speak clearly/be mindful of acoustics when deaf people are around. Whatever the deaf person uses to communicate- hearing people should contribute effort as well. Every human is responsible for including every other human in a social setting- in my opinion.
Dianrez
March 9, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Granted, it can be off-putting to be approached and signed to without expecting it, but here in Rochester, NY it is becoming the norm and it is a positive sign that ASL is becoming acceptable. People on the street are so eager to be involved in using a language with its own characteristics of beauty that one cannot help but smile.
I agree with the mother in the first comment: knowing both oral and ASL communication gives the best combination of options, especially when one is adult and considering college and deep, satisfying involvement with other deaf young adults. Having been a former oral student until my late teens, I have wished to know ASL earlier to be friends with Deaf peers more personally from an early age. They are great people!
DeafLinguist
March 29, 2013 at 10:48 pm
As a deaf person myself, I take my cue from the people I am with – speech with hearing or oral deaf friends, SSE (Sign Supported English) or BSL (British Sign Language) as appropriate with sign language users.
I have found one aspect of knowing sign language has been extremely beneficial more generally: because sign language depends so largely on non-manual features (facial expression, for example) it does help me to think more about cues such as facial expressions, mouth patterns, and body language to aid communication with oral deaf people who do not lipread well (e.g. late-deafened adults). All these are useful tools to give context and enhance understanding. My main aim is that the person I am with feels comfortable and can communicate back with me comfortably.