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From: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: ASL AND DEAFIES
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Date: 20 Nov 90 04:16:16 GMT
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Index Number: 11887

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi James,

I must tell you that I thought you presented your positions
regarding ASL, deaf Culture and communication in an intelligent and
clear fashion. I have followed this thread most closely and with
great interest.

For myself, I do believe in Total Communications methods, but as
some already know, I am a strong advocate of ASL. My caveat on
Total Communication is that it should be something that is optional
and available for those who can benefit by it. I don't believe it
should be forced.

When I began learning ASL, I was also taught a little bit about its
history as well as deaf culture and things relevant. My instructors
felt that it was important that I know more than just the
language.

I was taught much of what you have spoken of here. That many
hearing educators and systems tried to suppress ASL for any number
of reasons, including labeling it an inferrior form of
communication. I also learned that many hearing persons or
institutions expected the deaf person/ student/ child to do things
"the hearing way" or as you have said, without the use of ASL.

I have even seen some of this attitude in my own life experiences.
When a hearing person/system wants to put the deaf individual in
the position of finding a means of communication more easily
understandable by the hearing person/system. I realize that there
are more hearing people than deaf, but somehow, I have always been
annoyed by this.

I was also taught to respect this wonderful language and that as
you have pointed out, is so much a part of being deaf for so many
and that much of the deaf community will and does cling tenaciously
to ASL.

You commented that a "Deafie" might think of Annie as a deaf person
with a hearing mind. I wonder, if people like some of my (hearing)
ASL instructors are "Hearing with the ability to think as a
deafie!" (To all reasonable limits of course.)

For me, a sign system that is based on standard english might be
easier to learn and I might be able to string my signs together
easier and quicker, because proper ASL syntax has never come easily
to me. Still, I prefer the language as it is.

I think Total Communication is fine once the deaf
child/student/person has a basic visual language to communicate
with. I thought you raised a lot of good points concerning this.

Keepin' the faith!

.                               Vixen

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