I remember seeing ISL for the first time in Oct, 2015 at the new staff induction programme at NISH. Babloo, my first ISL teacher was signing with passion, explaining to us what ISL means to the deaf and the problems they face in the society. I was looking at him, wide-eyed (leading to the sign-name that he christened me with) in fascination. My previous exposure to sign language was limited to the interpreter we see in a corner window on the DD news on TV. But this was something different. A native signer in action is a sight to behold. The words are dancing in the air and how each sign captures the meaning of the word is enchanting, to say the least.
Something else that I appreciate is how the native signers use differentiated communication strategies. When Arun or Babloo sign to me, they use very basic syntax, vocabulary and grammar. These are my teachers and they know my limitations in ISL and they sign slower and simpler to me. When they are signing to each other, it is a different scenario. The signs are flying to and fro rapidly and I'm totally lost when trying to decipher the conversation. This happens with the students who are native signers too. Their signing is plainer and much less exciting when they are communicating with the non-native signers than when they are signing among themselves. I pause to reflect that if only the hearing world was equally empathetic to their limitations in learning an oral language, things would be much better.
I started learning ISL two years back, while doing some weekly volunteer-teaching sessions for the fresh students at NISH. They learned English from me while I learned ISL from them. I could almost see the chain of instinctive communication that linked us. I would convey a concept to them through broken ISL or with some basic English words in writing and ask them to translate it into perfect ISL for me. The joy of seeing that my explanation has reached them and they could translate it correctly is beyond measure. They are not like regular students when it comes to learning an oral language like English. They rely heavily on visual learning and I have the time of my life figuring out the best way to reach them. Thanks to my technical background, I end up using a lot of graphs to teach language (Yes! :D ). They relate to it instantly and then the session just speeds up and we are reluctant to end it. Along the way, I also try using some technology aids for teaching and they love it.
I feel liberated when I'm signing. I feel completely at home with my deaf friends. I have often mused upon why I feel this way. Facial expressions and body language are an integral part of sign language grammar. If you signed with a rigid posture (like the interpreter I used to see as a kid on DD news), that is incorrect ISL. Your body has to exude what you want to say. On on hand, this is an art form like dancing. On the other hand, it is hard to pretend when you are communicating in ISL. You can't feel sad and sign that you are happy. It is very difficult to do that. Signing is like laying your heart bare out. It is addictive.
As a Deaf person, I read with interest your perspective on Sign Language.
ReplyDeleteHearing persons who don't grow up with any one Deaf person, usually struggle to understand Sign Language! Some may succeed, others don't!
Likewise, Deaf persons are completely shut to oral communication and they are struggling to understand and write any written language!
Family support is very important in the overall growth and development of a Deaf child.
In my case, I am very fortunate to have an intelligent sister who is two years older than me. We grew up together and she used to communicate with me in "home" signs. She learned one-hand alphabets and signs from me. She also taught me how to pronounce words correctly. She used to clear my doubts in my studies. This went on till I graduated from my high school.
In my college years I used to manage myself in my studies! Now I'm employed and I'm almost independent and mingle with hearing people. I mostly communicate with them through writing.
I often encounter with Deaf persons who are struggling to read and write well. I can understand that they don't get proper support from families or schools in their formative years.
Early intervention is a must for all Deaf kids. Hearing evaluation and speech training may be given to Deaf kids. Deaf children may be exposed to the established Sign Language. But at the same time they MUST learn to read and write good language so that they will feel comfortable in "hearing" world.
Great thoughts. Please share your experience of how exactly you learned English - in detail, in your blog. It would be very useful for educators and students.
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