Card Games

For class tonight we had a quiz (surprise) and then moved on to card games. The educational piece of this was to show how to explain rules in ASL. Rules could pertain to driving and roadways, customs, and... card games.

Mr. G taughts us to play Gin Rummy and Texas Hole 'Em. I have learned that deafies have a harder time keeping a straight face - likely due to their natural inclination for visual expression.

We divided into small groups and laughed as more than one person ended up with cards on the floor as they tried to shuffly a brand new deck. After 52-card pickup, we moved on to Gin. I actually won this game.

As for the poker, it was much harder to understand visually. Eventually we got the basics of it, complete with value-less chips to toss into the pot.

It was a fun way to pass the remainder of class...

September ASL Meetup

Last Friday evening was another great gathering at the Dublin Starbucks. We over 10 signers attending, from ASL1 students who are just learning their basic phrases to 2nd and 3rd year Ohlone students. The more advanced students had a good time chatting about our teachers and experiences with the beginning signers.

Towards the end of the evening a woman and her daughter happened into Starbucks. The little girl - age 7 - quickly noticed us all signing and motioned for her mother. It turns out that Mom (and Dad, not present) moved to Dublin fairly recently from Texas. They are both deaf, but their daughter is hearing.

Students at all levels in the circle were mesmirized watching this little darling (with the most animated face and deep dimples I have ever seen) sign faster than any of us. She was so excited to visit with us all. We were all astonished, and humbled, to see how fluently she signs at such an early age.

We explained to the new signers that the daughter was a CODA and that ASL is her first language. Her mom told us that she had started signing around the age of 7 months.

I continue to be amazed at this beautiful language and the genuine kindness of the Deaf Community members I am meeting...

Deaf Etiquette

I found this bit of info when searching online for information on Deaf Etiquette. It came from the Rochester Institute of Technology website. There is more than what I have copied below if you are interested...

http://www.rit.edu/~257www/tips/primer.htm

Communicating with Deaf People: A Primer

This is designed as a basic guide for hearing people who want to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. It is condensed from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf's publication "Celebrate Diversity. "

Customs and Courtesies of Conversation

Deaf people appreciate the efforts of hearing people to learn and use sign. The slow communication speed is a common experience of anyone learning a new language. A deaf person will understand a hearing person's message even with mistakes, just as a hearing person will usually understand the spoken message of a person just learning English who makes some mispronunciations and grammatical errors.

Good lighting, unobstructed vision and a non-distracting, non-glare background are essential environmental conditions for successful and comfortable visual-based communication. A table in the middle of the room forces people to stand in a circle and provides them with a full view of each other. Loud noise interferes with successful and comfortable auditory-based interaction.

Facial expressions are a critical part of communication because they convey the emotions and tone of the conversation. Signing without facial expression is similar to monotone speech. Also, using voice and mouth movement helps a deaf person who has some lip-reading skills and/or residual hearing. However, a loud voice and exaggerated mouth movement interferes with understanding the voiced message.

Getting Attention

Some of the ways to get the attention of a deaf person are to tap the person on the shoulder, wave hands, flash lights or stomp feet on the floor. Deaf people may use these methods to get the attention of others. If one person can't get the attention of the intended person but does get the attention of someone near that person, the signaler may point to the person wanted and the nearby person may tap that person on the shoulder. Your shoulder may be tapped in the process of getting someone else's attention.

Interrupting a Signed Conversation

Deaf people usually do not have private conversations where they can be "overseen," so a deaf person knows it is OK to watch for a pause in a signed conversation, interrupt with a gesture, deliver the message and leave. Hearing people, however, will not watch what they believe to be a private conversation, and will stand by, waiting to be acknowledged. If you do this with deaf people, they will not understand your intention and will continue their conversation. To interrupt a signed conversation, make your desire known by eye contact and gesture without waiting for a pause, then stand by without observing until the person you want to talk to turns to you.