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From: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Education of persons who are deaf
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Date: 6 Nov 90 04:13:18 GMT
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Index Number: 11555

Translating ASL to written language can be done. However, one must
be aware that when a deaf person looks at the written word, they
are not really reading ASL. ASL embodies more than just mere words
or even mere signs. It includes body language, spatial position,
facial expressions and such subtle things as speed and strength of
hand motion and head motion as well. You can't put those things on
paper in written form. It is rather like not being able to
accurately translate certain concepts in one spoken language to
another because the words do not exist to accurately portray an
idea. So while you can representate ASL in a rudimentary sense on
paper, you never will be able to tramslate it with precise
accuracy.

I'd like to response more to the other things you mentioned, but
must stop right now. Let's continue later.

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