sign language

bandgeek4 · 06-17-2008, 08:33 AM

hi guys,

so I went deaf when i was 13 i can lip read fluency 82% (just to let you know thats pretty high)

my teachers and my parents want me to learn sign language but i dont think i need to.

i can still talk normally because i wasn't deaf from the time i was a baby so i dont really see the point.

Opinions?

should i learn?

d'anna · 06-17-2008, 08:53 AM

I think you should, it wouldn't hurt. I used to know sign language, not anymore. Our old priest at our church used to teach all the kids, it was pretty cool. Anyways, I think it would be very beneficial to you, even if you can lip read and speak. Plus, learning another language is always fun.

bandgeek4 · 06-17-2008, 08:59 AM

i don't think my brain can handle another language

wholeon · 06-17-2008, 09:27 AM

Then why are you asking?

I guess if 82% comprehension is good enough for you, don't bother.

bandgeek4 · 06-17-2008, 09:30 AM

i was asking because i have to spend part of my day in a class with other deaf students who cant talk

wholeon · 06-17-2008, 09:32 AM

I have no idea why you wouldn't at least TRY...Do you plan on alienating yourself from the Deaf community for the rest of your life?

bandgeek4 · 06-17-2008, 09:57 AM

i know this might make me sound like a bitch but

i don't know if i want to be part of the deaf community because that would just make it harder to get along with non hearing impaired people
i don't really want to be "the deaf girl"

wholeon · 06-17-2008, 10:04 AM

Yeah, you're definitely an asshole.

-the deaf boy

The Wolf · 06-17-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandgeek4

i know this might make me sound like a bitch but

i don't know if i want to be part of the deaf community because that would just make it harder to get along with non hearing impaired people
i don't really want to be "the deaf girl"

Just because you can do sign language doesn't make you "part of the deaf community". People who aren't even deaf know it. I would suggest learning it, but that's just me.

lolkat · 06-21-2008, 09:36 AM

I think everyone should learn regardless of their hearing abilities. I'm currently attending classes to learn and when my daughter gets a little older I'll start teacher her as well.

AciidBug · 06-21-2008, 09:54 AM

Just learn it!

Gosh do you know how much people can get paid for knowing ASL?

Not only can you lip read but if you can sign too then you would make a prefect translator later in life.

Get over it, learn something knew, ASL is fun and it helps with more then just communicating.

ASL has many benefits.

I know it and I can hear but I dont want to make a gap between people I may meet.

Get over it.

Learn it.

wholeon · 06-22-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AciidBug

Not only can you lip read but if you can sign too then you would make a prefect translator later in life.

I'm going to say no on that one. 82% understanding of spoken English and translating it into ASL? That sounds like a shitty translator to me.

AciidBug · 06-22-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wholeon

I'm going to say no on that one. 82% understanding of spoken English and translating it into ASL? That sounds like a shitty translator to me.

If both got worked on over the years though?
And that 82% went higher?
I'm sure geek's lip reading is going to get better too.

wholeon · 06-22-2008, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AciidBug

If both got worked on over the years though?
And that 82% went higher?
I'm sure geek's lip reading is going to get better too.

Uh, no. Lipreading is much more difficult than most people think it is. If I went in to my college and was told they were giving me a deaf translator, I would flip the fuck out.

The perfect translator is someone who can hear spoken language and can translate it to ASL. That's the requirements. A deaf translator makes no sense.

stratosfear · 06-22-2008, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandgeek4

i know this might make me sound like a bitch but

i don't know if i want to be part of the deaf community because that would just make it harder to get along with non hearing impaired people
i don't really want to be "the deaf girl"

It's up to you but I don't think learning sign language should exclude you from contact with people who can hear. I wouldn't think any less of you anyway. But learning sign language would help you communicate better with deaf people, and maybe relate to them better? I suppose even if you don't want be defined by your deafness, it might help you to talk with others because you'll have things in common with them?

But it's your choice, if you feel you can cope without it, that's fine. It's a good skill to have though, I think.