Mixed Language Systems: (PSE) Pidgin Signed English.

  How does a language become mixed?  Is this true for only spoken language? Or can this morphology occur in Signed Languages as well?

  A pidgin language is the occurrence when languages between two individuals are unintelligible.  A language is then created between the two individuals based upon the need to communicate in specific situations such as; bartering. In ASL the pidgin language is clear, as we morph ASL with the English language.

  It’s important to note that the individuals attempting to communicate, are not trying to learn another language. The need to create the pidgin language, is due to language restriction. However, it is not impossible that these individuals could potentially learn the foreign language, due to habitual interaction. However,  the initial goal in mind is based upon a critical need to communicate.

               Moreover, the pidgin that is developed, may share many linguistic structures and similarities. However, what will suffer is the morphology and basic grammatical syntax of a true language. This resulting in what is commonly known as a creole language. This method is used in spoken languages, as well as signed languages.

Please watch the video below as it gives a demonstration of true ASL versus PSE.

Enjoy!

ABC Stories

    
ABC Storytelling

ABC storytelling is a right of generational passage for the Deaf Community, this art form of storytelling dates back to the nineteenth century. In ABC stories each sign is a representation of one of the twenty six hand shapes in the manual alphabet from letter A-Z. 

Like spoken language, these the stories can infer a variety of topics such as; a football game, wedding, celebrations etc. In the storytelling process it’s pertinent that the transitions between signs be fluid just as it would be in spoken language. 

Additionally, It’s noteworthy to mention that these stories are difficult to be translated into English or into the spoken language germane to ones country. The reason for difficulty in translation?  The sign is dependent upon the visuals effects created amid the ABC story. 

Click on the video below to see what an ABC Story Looks like.

Aphasia and the Benefits of American Sign Langage

Aphasia and the Benefits of American Sign Language

Today I wanted to touch on the topic of Aphasia since I personally suffered from it for a little more than a year due to a car accident which I incurred a traumatic brain injury from (TBI).

Loss of words, confusion, scrambled speech, loss of understanding words, slow speech, not being able to formulate a sentence, not wanting to communicate all because it's just too hard. This is what it feels like when one is unexpectedly faced with aphasia.

I felt lost in my words, to say the least, I knew what I wanted to say (verbally) but I was unable to. Even though I was suffering from a severe brain injury I knew that my sign skills would help me through this time, and because of the beautiful nature of sign language and its visual/gestural components, I was still able to communicate throughout that year as I was afflicted with aphasia.

Because, I knew sign language I was able to use this method of communication, when I was struggling using my expressive language, due to suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) along with sudden hearing loss (which has now been resolved).

Because of Sign Language, I was able to continue to communicate with my children and some friends who signed as well. It gave me the language that I was missing and the words I just couldn’t say. If you have never experienced a traumatic brain injury it’s hard to comprehend the impact that it has on one’s ability to speak, think, and even sleep.

You see, anyone can experience trauma at any given time, and many of us take our ability to communicate for granted.  What we don’t realize is that any of us can become Deaf, or suffer a traumatic brain injury at any moment. Sign language was the language that allowed me to express myself during a time that I was not able to.

I urge each and every one of you to do your research and learn Sign Language.

For more information on Aphasia and the benefits of using Sign Language please read below.

What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is an impairment of language, disturbing the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. Aphasia is always due to an injury to the brain-most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals. But brain injuries resulting in aphasia may also arise from head trauma, from brain tumors, or from infections.

Aphasia can be so severe as to make communication with the individual almost impossible, or it can be very mild. It may affect mainly a single aspect of language use, such as the ability to retrieve the names of objects, or the ability to put words together into sentences, or the ability to read. More commonly, however, multiple aspects of communication are impaired, while some channels remain accessible for a limited exchange of information.

Benefits of Sign language in terms of Aphasia

The Aphasia treatment most often used with aphasia is speech and language therapy. This can be started as soon as your condition allows it. The therapist will work with you on building and strengthening remaining language abilities and will try to find other means of communication to make up for the abilities that have been lost. This is when sign language becomes a tremendous resource for those suffering from a (TBI).

Since gestures and symbols are stored in a separate part of the brain from language, most can benefit from using sign language as an additional way to communicate. One may feel that they do not have the capabilities to say (verbally speaking) what it is that he or she wants, but using a gesture, or a formal sign, that you will understand to mean "water" will not be as taxing on the individual suffering from aphasia.

Generally, it is encouraged for individuals with aphasia to use gestures and or signs more often. This is because gestures and or signs help the listener understand and better interpret what the individual may be trying to say.

It also has been said that body language helps us to compose language. Sign language can be looked at as a skill set and a benefactor to those who have suffered a (TBI).

• Signs represent words that one may not remember.

• Signs can also help clarify what the individual is talking about.

• Sign Languge can help to cue speech. If an individual is with their SLP the therapist has he or she repeat words while making the sign, it can trigger one's memory.

• Sign language is a good way to maintain preserved language abilities. If one uses signs while he/she is speaking, those signs may help that individual remember specific words. This keeps the language functions of the brain working and can help strengthen them.

Glossing Basics

Sign language is a visual-gestural language, and ordinarily, you will not see it written, because of the nature of the language. However, sign language can be in a written format, and this is called glossing. Today I will briefly show you how sign language looks when it’s in its written format. Generally speaking, those who use sign language as their (A) language which is known as one's primary language, typically will not write in gloss, they generally write in their (B) language, which is their second language, and that would be their countries native tongue.

Please enjoy!

Glossing Basics

Glossing is the written configuration that is used to study American Sign Language.  It is a way of writing exactly what is shown on the hands and face, from the signer. Glossing is used as a means to cite and record individual signs and facial expressions. Glossing is especially useful in grasping how ASL syntax is unique from English syntax.

When glossing, it is imperative to remember the elemental rules.  The utmost rule is the use of capital letters, which denotes the signs that are formed on the hands.  It is significant to mention that when glossing you should not add any extra English words such as, (i.e.: the, a, or, is, and, but, to). Capital letters are gauges of the exact signs being used.  The fact that these are written in all caps signifies the particular signs that are used rather than an English translation of those signs.

Facial Expressions

There are five rudimentary facial expressions that you should become familiar with:  They are as followed, affirmation, negation, yes/no questions, wh- question, and topicalization.  An affirmation is formed by nodding.  An affirmation indicates something that is true or in fact happened. Contrasting an affirmation is negation, which is displayed by a slight shaking of the head (side to side). Negation indicates that something did not happen. The same group of signs, contingent on the facial expressions used, can either specify affirmation or negation.  To show negation, you would create a line above the signed word for the duration of which the negation is fashioned and you would write as followed “neg.” This is the indicator a slight shaking of the head.

The yes/no question specifies that the signer is entreating for more information from the person that they are speaking to. The signer wants clarification if the subject matter is true or false. An individual creates a yes/no question by raising the eyebrows and faintly leaning frontward the person that the question is being asked to. It is noteworthy to mention that leaning frontward is small and not a lean of the body. This is a slight tipping of the head to the person while the eyebrows are raised up. Yes/no questions are glossed by drawing a line and writing a “q” above that line.

Additionally, the wh- facial expression is fashioned by lowering the eyebrows. This is glossed in writing by a wh- above the facial expression line. Occasionally the wh- expression will be throughout the entire question and from time to time it will be formed only at the end of the sentence over the wh- word itself.

Lastly, the topic is glossed with a (T) over the facial expression line. The topic, is formed by raising the eyebrows at the opening of a sentence. A topic can be thought of as a “mini-question” in which you ask the person whom you are talking to.

Below I have included some examples of ASL Gloss.

_______________________aff
BOY UNDERSTAND BOOK

________q
TEST HARD

_____________neg
GIRL DON’T-KNOW

Deaf Culture: Folklore

Every Culture has a well-defined and vibrant folkloric praxis. In many cultures folklore is   not a transcribed story; it is always narrated. Traditional Folklore is generally passed down from one generation to the next, typically by parents, elders and local anecdotalists that shared the history and legends of the local community. While the narrator was telling the story it would be no surprise to see all of the adults and children gather around to listen and to partake in this communal event. Deaf culture is no different with their folklore, which is based upon and around the use of American Sign Language. The purpose of Deaf Folklore is for entertainment, cultural bonding and spending time with one another in unison.

There are three steps of Deaf Folklore and these phases are, collection, classification and analysis. The purpose of the collection is to study and preserve the culture. Additionally, ensuring to have specific details as to where you acquired your collection from is highly important (i.e. name of the person who is telling the story, the persons age, the location to where the story is being told or, even the name of the school it was told from). Lastly, it’s imperative that you record all the information, so that way the folklore can be told and re-told for generations to come.

There are several classifications as well, and they are known as genres. The several different genres for folklore storytelling are anecdote, material culture, tall tale, legend, sign play, ritual, and custom imitation. These variations of storytelling give depth to the narratives and whimsicalness to each intended genre. From finger spelling, to the use of numbers in sign play, to custom imitation where the person mimes the character that they’re portraying. Each and every element of the classification genres gives more complexity, charm, appeal and character to the tales of the chosen styles.

The Language of Deaf Culture:Sign Language

Any notion that ASL is mere pantomime is now considered old-fashioned, even ethnocentric. Today, Signing in general, has become accepted and respected. So much that it was commemorated on a U.S. postage stamp printed in the 1980’s. The hand on the stamp is signing “I love You.” which is a combination of the manual letters “I,” “L,” and “Y” and has come to be thought of as one of the most well known ASL hand shapes.

After much struggle by Deaf people in the U.S., ASL is now universally accepted as a distinct and legitimate language (this occurred in the1960’s), independent of English (as is true of other sign languages associated in other countries). This was a major milestone for the deaf community for a very important reason: language and self-identity are inseparable.

The language that an individual uses lies at the heart of his or her cultural identity. More than history, geography, or any other cultural quality, we are what we speak. The acceptance of ASL as a legitimate language has been crucial to the deaf community.

After all, if you are what you speak, what does it mean to have your language dismissed as an irrelevant oddity? Those who are Deaf, define an important part of themselves in terms of their culture and language, just as those do who are hearing.

Most people would argue that Sign Language is not a commonly used language. Well wrap your head around this, ASl is the fourth most used Language in the U.S and the third most used Language in the world rich in culture and history. Still don’t think you should learn it?

As always I leave you with this remark….Learn ASL!

So You Think You Can Dance?: How Those Who are Deaf Dance.

I have had many people flooding my inbox recently with questions asking; HOW DOES NYLE DIMARCO DANCE??  DEAF PEOPLE CAN DANCE? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE??  With all of the questions I’ve been receiving; I havedecided that I would post the answer on the website. How it is possible for all Deaf people to dance.

Many people have a misunderstanding that deaf people “hear” by sensing vibrations through the floor. This is not the case. especially if the person is jumping and does not have constant footing or, the floor is not conducive for sound vibration (i.e concrete which carries no sound opposed to wood flooring which can carry vibration).

When being taught a new routine it is imperative that the instructor demonstratescounting visually. This allows basic rhythm patterns and helps with the expansion and improvement of ones inner rhythm and timing for any given dance routine. Furthermore, it is imperative to the routine that the teacher gives a sign count for each step, this is comparable to a lingual count with hearing dancers. Periodically, a drum may be used to regulate the precise rhythm of specific music. Generally, a deaf dancer will watch and follow the flow of their partner who may be able to hear the music.

Deaf Dancers need countless hours of practice to establish an interior sense of timing for a dance. Some dancers may have residual hearing and can gather cues from the music to help them in knowing where they should be in a dance (i.e. a loud bass sound). This does not occur the first time they learn a new dance; but, after endless hours of repetition and calculating all the movements in a dance step. If the dancer has the ability to use their residual hearing it will predicate on the specific hearing loss (high or low frequency loss) and the music (bass or treble tones). Bass tones are typically heard better than treble.

The most efficient way to teach a deaf dance student is to use visual counts and what isequally important is to use a quality audio sound and to communicate using Sign Language.

As always learn ASL!

Dialects and Deaf Poetry

This past weekend I was talking with my family about the different dialects of Sign Language. It is a common misconception that Sign Language is universal while the gestural components of Sign Language appear to be the same to onlookers it is quite the contrary. Every country has their own dialects of Sign Language. Cat in American Sign Language is different than cat in British Sign Language(refer to the pictures below for the differential).

While talking about different dialects I came across the website Life and Deaf this website isBritish Sign Language based which is a different dialect from ASL (American Sign Language).

I thought it would be interesting to include a poem that I found which describes what it feels like to be deaf from a child’s perspective. Not only does this website have deaf poetry, but they have a world renowned video featuring their Deaf Poetry Slam.  I would encourage you to check out the website. Reading many of those poems took my breath away; particularly this one. Enjoy.

Powerful Deaf

By: Pedro, Thomas Tallis secondary school, Year 8

I WHEN GO HOME

MUM AND DAD SAY “HEARING AIDS ON”.

I DON’T LIKE HEARING AIDS

PEOPLE TALK, TALK, TALK.

I HAVE A HEADACHE LIKE BANGING IN

MY HEAD.

LIKE THE PIPS AT SCHOOL,

IT HURTS.

WHEN HEARING AIDS OFF I FEEL

PEACEFUL, CALM AND RELAXED.

HEARING AIDS ANNOY ME

FEEL WET AND STICKY LIKE A SNAIL WHEN

I PLAY FOOTBALL.

I LIKE SIGN AND SPEAK

SIGN LOOK LIKE BEAUTIFUL DANCE

I LIKE SIGN AND SPEAK.

I LIKE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

WHEN SLOWLY, SLOWLY, SLOWLY I UNDERSTAND.

I DON’T LIKE FAST SPEAKING

I DON’T UNDERSTAND

SOUNDS LIKE MIXED UP WORDS,

LIKE THE ALPHABET.

I LIKE SIGNING, I CAN SEE THE WORDS.

Book Review:Deaf Like Me

In the early 1960’s German measles were running rampant throughout the United States. Many feared that they would get the measles but, those who feared it the most were families who had loved ones who were pregnant.  Pregnant women feared that their children would be born with disfigurements, blindness and mental handicaps if they acquired it.  However, it was not always possible for these women to stay away from those who were inflicted with measles, because often times those who had it were their own children whom they had to care for while they were pregnant.

Tom Spradley moved his wife Louise and his son Bruce to Illinois in the early 1960’s; to live in a college town so that he could teach over the summer.  While living in this quaint village Tom and Louise’s son Bruce came down with German measles unbeknownst to Louise and Tom; Louise was exposed to German measles while only a few weeks pregnant with their second child.  About a month a passed and Louise had confirmed with her doctor that she was pregnant and she was distraught at the fact that her unborn child may be blind or have any congenital birth defects.  Louise and Tom spent many wakeful nights together fearing the repercussions of being pregnant and exposed to measles.   They went from doctor to doctor hoping to get answers to find out if they would have a handicapped child.  Most doctors reassured her that she and the baby were going to be fine; Tom and Louise were not so sure.

Nine months passed very slowly for the Spradley family, but the day that Louise and Tom were waiting for had finally arrived and that was the birth of their baby. They prayed and worried tirelessly if she would be normal.  Louise gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who had all of her body parts in tact with five fingers and five toes.  Louise and Tom were thrilled and they breathed a sigh of relief when the doctor confirmed that they baby was healthy.  Tom and Louise named the baby Lynn.

Lynn was growing like a weed and she was a normal and a happy baby just like her brother Bruce was. At about four months old Louise had noticed that at a fourth July party Lynn was not reacting to sounds as she should be.  There was a large explosion of fireworks and Lynn had a no reaction at all this is where Louise became concerned. For months Louise and Tom checked to see if Lynn could hear, they would drop things, they would call her name and she reacted normally.  But as time progressed they realized that she was very perceptive on what was going on around her and that she was reacting because of visual stimulations not noise stimulation.  Tom and Louise took Lynn to the clinic and discovered that she had a profound hearing loss and that she would never hear normally.

As soon as they found out that she had this hearing loss they were directed to a hearing clinic and they were told to continue to speak to Lynn normally however, about a year passed and Lynn turned two and she was still not able to speak.  Louise and Tom took Lynn to the John Tracey Clinic when she was about three and they said to them “Just keep pouring the words into her and sooner or later they will come back to you” Tom, Louise and Bruce spoke to Lynn normally every day they worked with her relentlessly day in night, but Lynn was becoming more and more frustrated, so Louise and Tom decided to enroll her into an elite oral school which not everyone was accepted into; Lynn was accepted into the oral school and began immediately. Months went by and Lynn could say two words from attending the oral school.  She was able to say ball and Bruce; this was progress for Lynn, but not enough to be able to fully communicate.

Louise remembered that she had ran into a deaf man at the grocery store and she talked to Tom about it and they agreed upon getting in touch with a deaf group at a local church in their community.  When Tom and Louise arrived at the church they were astounded on how well those who were deaf communicated.  They were taken back that they had such a sophisticated way of communicating, all this time Tom and Louise were always told to not gesture to Lynn because she needed to become oral.  However, now that Tom and Louise were exposed to Sign Language they wanted to give it a try for the benefit of Lynn and her communication. They began to learn Signs little by little and then they began signing to Lynn, Lynn picked up Sign Language almost instantaneously.  In a matter of one week she had learned thirteen signs, which was more than she had learned in her entire three years at the oral school.  Her first sign that she learned was “I- Love-you” she signed that to her mother and Sign Language opened a new door for Lynn she was able to communicate she was able to ask questions and she was able to be answered.  From that moment on Louise, Tom and Bruce knew that they were speaking Lynn’s language.

Deaf like Me was a fantastic book to read it was intriguing to find out what Tom and Louise went through to ensure Lynn’s success.  It was astonishing to me that Sign Language was not offered in conjunction with aural rehabilitation. I do understand why this was the case however, I do not agree with agree with these methods. I was saddened for Lynn’s family that they struggled to communicate with Lynn for so long.  As I was heavy hearted for Lynn, because she could not communicate at all with her family she was shut out from day to day conversations for about four years of her life. I could not imagine not being able to communicate for myself or having my children not able communicate with me.  I feel saddened for the deaf in general because I know to this day that being oral is always the goal amongst speech therapist and audiologist.  However, in a case like Lynn’s being oral just isn’t possible with a profound hearing loss from birth.

What I did find so comforting was that her family tirelessly continued to find help for Lynn. They never gave up and even her brother and her grandparents were on board with helping Lynn and communicating with her by any means necessary.  It was extraordinary that Lynn’s family took an interest in Sign Language even after they were advised from the oral school not too.  I was delighted that they were led by their curiosity and decided to venture into exploring American Sign Language and they were able to acclimate themselves in the Deaf community and because of that Lynn had a better quality of life.

Lynn’s family learning Sign Language gave her the opportunity to excel in her studies and she was able to go away to school and become independent; because she was able to communicate.  The problem is most people do not give those who are deaf a fighting chance,  they immediately label them as having a disability and that is how they are treated.  Being deaf is not a disability being deaf just means that they have a different way of communicating and that is through Sign Language.

After reading this book I do have a different outlook as far as the families are concerned.  I have a greater respect of what hearing families must go through to get their children help when they do find out that they have hearing loss.  I now know that it is generally not the parents who do not want to learn Sing Language it seems that it just may not be offered as it should be in conjunction with aural rehabilitation.

After reading this book I am inspired even more to become a speech pathologist, with my goal being different from most.  I will encourage ASL I will enlighten families that are lost and inform them that they and their child can communicate together by using Sign Language.  I will not discourage the use of ASL like most do.

I believe that this book can offer valuable information to those who have a deaf child and are discouraged.  This book opens a door for families with deaf children as it gives them the opportunity to look into a life of a person who is deaf and born to a hearing family. To know that their child can succeed in spite of their differences in communication.

Deaf Like Me is a well written book and the authors Thomas and James Spradley did a sensational job at depicting the day to day life of being hearing and having a deaf child and from a deaf persons perspective of being deaf and not being given the ability to effectively communicate.  I would highly recommend this book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

The De’VIA Manifesto (Deaf Art)

This is one of my favorite artists, his name is Chuck Baird and he just so happens to be Deaf.  I have this particular piece hanging in my house and even after owning it for about 10 years it still takes my breath away every time I look at it.  This painting is the ASL sign for sunset, but it’s so much more than a painting….it’s a way of communication, as it bridges the gap between the Deaf and Hearing community.

One of the reasons why Chuck Baird began to paint is to communicate; he wanted to show the beauty of the deaf community and wanted to communicate his own experiences as a Deaf individual. Baird said“I no longer paint what people would like to see.  I paint for myself.  It is about my own experience, my love of ASL and pride in our Deaf heritage.  I sometimes create works that have no particular relation to the Deaf.” Although he is deceased he leaves quite the legacy for the Deaf community with his beautiful genre of artwork called “The De’Via Manifesto” and his advocacy in the Deaf arts.

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do.  I suggest you look up more of his work as he has many other paintings! Have a great weekend! and as always Learn ASL!

You think you know?: Interesting facts about Deaf culture and Sign Language that I bet you didn’t know.

• 90% of Deaf of children are born to Hearing parents
• More than 70% of hearing parents who have Deaf children do not use Sign Language with their children (This can sadly result in lowered self esteem. Delays in learning and isolation- since the child is unable to communicate or express themselves to the people who matter the most).
• Sign Language has grammar (a rule system) like any other verbal language.
• There is not a single Sign Language in the world (Every country has it’s own).
• Like verbal language Sign Languages have regional varieties (dialects).
• Sign Language is not only used by those who are deaf (those who are hearing use it too! i.e. Sign Language interpreters, children of deaf adults (CODA) hearing parents of deaf children and those who are hearing that want to communicate with those who are Deaf).
• ASL (American Sign Language) is the third most used Language is the United States.
• ASL is a foreign Language.
• Those who are Deaf have the same ability to learn as those who are hearing (It is a common misconception that those who are Deaf have a learning disability. Having hearing loss alone does not have any effect on ones ability to learn).
• Those who are Deaf tend to be more direct ( Deaf people can be direct with comments and questions about topics that hearing people often consider rude).
• Those who are Deaf are in fact better drivers than those who are Hearing (According to statistics compiled by the National Association of the Deaf and the U.S. government, Deaf drivers tend to be better drivers than hearing people. Because of less distractions while driving and studies have shown that those who are Deaf have better peripheral vision than those who are hearing).

How to Talk with Your Mouth Full: The Advantages of Learning American Sign Language

I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself into the deaf community for the past 16 years, and being a hearing women; I would say that I am the happiest when I am signing.  I sign in the car with my favorite tunes blaring as loud as possible, and I’ll call my deaf friends on face time and chit chat with them after a long day, and I know they can always make me laugh or give me some insight. I even have the pleasure of signing with my children- who are not deaf.  I love that I was able to learn this beautiful language and I would encourage you to learn too!

Few would argue against the merits of learning multiple languages. According to Handspeak.com a resource for the Deaf and those interested in the Deaf community, multilingual students and employees excel at a rate far greater than their monolingual peers. What few people realize, however, is that American Sign Language (ASL)—because of its unique gestural structure—presents signers and their communities with additional benefits.

The fact is, ASL is more common than you might think. Handspeak.com, notes that Sign Language is the 8th most used language in the world and it takes a very short time to learn basic communication, just about 10 weeks to be precise. Studies have shown an increase in sales in businesses from having employees that know ASL and knowing the language also increases your marketability as an employee too future employers. Liz Broelli author of Medical Daily Pulse an online medical journal mentions that by learning a second language such as Sign Language it has been proven to improve cognitive functions and it can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia.

ASL can help children develop verbal skills. Judy Feekes author of the book Let your Fingers do the Talking says that learning ASL at an early age is beneficial for language and development purposes and it also introduces the language (ASL) at an early age. Sign Language is proven to enhance language development for those who are hearing and a great resource for those who are having trouble with speaking or learning a spoken language.

Most importantly ASL can bridge the gap between hearing communities and deaf culture. Those who are deaf are expected to become oral at an early age to communicate with the hearing population. John Hopkins University records that even the most skilled lip readers can only grasp about 70 percent of the conversation. To break the communication barrier I suggest we learn this beautiful language. If you are hesitating that you may not even remember the essential signs to communicate, not to worry because there is a really great app for the techies out there, it’s called The ASL APP  and it’s free so, now you can have American Sign Language at your fingertips!