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From: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Foreign Languages and the Deaf
Message-ID: <15714@handicap.news>
Date: 16 May 91 15:39:37 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi James,

 JW> I am not sure if research was followed up on this. When I was at
 JW> Gallaudet, it was often mentioned that deafies seemed to have an
 JW> easier time with foreign languages than English.

You know, what you're saying makes sense although this is the
first I'm hearing it, I can think of a couple of reasons why.
First if it's French (or Latin even) the word order being
different (and more similar to ASL) would have a positive
transference potential.  And second, abilities in 2 languages
makes acquisition of a third easier, or should I say the learner
is more ready to learn.  Most people at Gallaudet have already
fluency in ASL and while there may be a few who have had a little
more trouble with English (as you suggest) they have mastered that
for the most part as well, thus they know 2 languages before
learning the foreign one.

 JW> Some of the ideas
 JW> tossed around regarding this were: At Gallaudet, little emphasis
 JW> was placed on the actual speaking of the languages. Rather the
 JW> skill atreading and writing them was the focus. Foreign languages
 JW> taught there often displayed an "ASL" syntax in the sense that
 JW> many languages' word order is "backwards" when you translate
 JW> phrases word for word into English. The idea was that perhaps this
 JW> echoed the way that Deaf-signers "thought" and perceived language.

ASL is a more conceptual language in the first place, so in a way,
maybe it makes a person more flexible in how they view how an idea
can be conveyed, thus freeing them from preconceived notions which
can block a new form.  I remember when in 8th grade we had a
wonderful lady from Puerto Rico come once a week and teach us a
little Spanish.  It was fun and a great opportunity-- otherwise
our first exposure to a foreign language wouldn't be till 10th
grade.  Anyway a girl, I'll never forget this, was trying to say
'comprendo' but realizing the similarity with the English word
'comprehend' couldn't stop herself from wanting to put in that
extra syllable --this was negative transference and was blocking
her ability to acquire the new form... she was locked up in just
one way (unconsciously of course) but it was something she had to
consciously overcome.

--Fran

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