Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman From: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: multiple uses of sign Message-ID: <17822@bunker.UUCP> Date: 21 Feb 91 02:14:48 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/94 - Monroe Electronic M, Monroe NY Lines: 56 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 13695 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] Hi Lana, LB> Now that's neat! I have a friend who is at about the LB> same level of signing ability as myself and we've found our LB> (limited) skills handy for (A) Really annoying the other people LB> at our table when we're at dinner at the Childrens camp we both LB> work at and (B) a WONDERFUL way to communicate to each other LB> when we're in a bar with LOUD music. ;-) As I was telling Ann, it also used to come in handy for very quietly reminding my daughter to behave in church (she hears but cannot speak) I could even get very emphatic without having to raise my voice. :-) Ya know, we both used the word 'handy' here --I'm a confessed pun-lover LB> I've found sign LB> language very helpful for me in the various different jobs I LB> hold. Did you know that there's a movement afoot here in the US to make ASL qualify as a foreign language substitute to fulfill the foreign language requirement most states have to graduate from High School? Useful and SO universal as you point out. LB> First, every summer I work for a YMCA children's camp .. LB> and starting last summer we hosted a DEAF CAMP which took place LB> simontaneously with our regular camp programs. Here in NY the Grange I believe (that's an organization for people in agriculture --sort of fraternal I think) sponsor a camp wherein a deaf child is paired with a hearing child for the week (or weeks, not sure). By the end of the experience (knowing how kids are such sponges for learning languages) the hearing child is becoming a proficient signer and perhaps (not sure about this) the deaf child might improve his speech reading skills too (?) Anyway, their respective worlds are opened to the other and that's the nicest part. LB> Much to my suprise and pleasure the little boy knew a whole bunch LB> of signs. We got on great! I almost always knew what he wanted LB> and vice versa. Sign Language is great.. Good thing I'm taking LB> more classes! My Mary, who is more like him in that she hears, when she was little, before she was formally being taught sign, began to make up her own! It certainly seems like a natural thing --and again, very universal. --Fran -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org