Entering the Deaf World

Entering the deaf world is not as easy as you initially thought it is. Yes, learning sign language is not that easy. But having the knowledge of the language is not enough. You have to dig deep on their culture, and their similar traits.

I have been in sign language community for more than a decade, yet I still get shocked whenever they display some behavior.

Here are some facts about deaf people, and what to keep in mind when entering their world.

• Sign language is not universal in every country. Yes, sign language used in countries are different. For example, American Sign Language is entirely different from British Sign Language.

• There is Signing Exact English (SEE). However, deaf syntax is mostly followed. Being associated with lots of deaf people, most schooled deaf cannot understand when you are using SEE. The said signing's grammar is the same with what hearing people use.

• Deaf people are not totally outcasts. True, I met some deaf people who are outcasted, isolated themselves from hearing people. However, some deaf people may be just around you yet you don't notice them. It means many of them are living normally like us.

• Deaf people can talk a lot, not in a sense of using their mouths, rather using their hands. They have the capability to tell lies or gossip about other people like hearing people do.

• Deaf people wants equal opportunity. Yes, they also wants to have jobs similar to speaking people does. In some countries, they were giving privileges. Nevertheless, in some countries, they were almost forgotten.

• Deaf people has pride of being deaf. If you check their social media accounts, they are not shameful of their condition.

• Deaf people can become impulsive in their decisions. Thus, we, hearing people, can give them advice.

• There is song signing which songs can be delivered to them. Some who are partially deaf can listen to them. While others depend when it was signed according to the beat and emotion of the song.

There are a lot of thing to discover about deaf people upon associating with them.

Filipino Sign Language

Filipino Sign Language was announced as the official sign language in the Philippines. It cannot be denied though that it was heavily influenced by American Sign Language. Of course, there are differences of the two, but most basi signs are very similar.

Learn Basic Sign Language

In the video below, you can learn some of the basic American signs. You can freely use them when you encountered a deaf person. But of course, some signs needs to be used rightfully. Be careful with hand shapes because it might be understood with other words.

YouTube/Signed With Heart

You can also learn some basic Filipino signs below by watching the video. There are videos on YouTube where you can learn sign language being used in your community.

YouTube/Kat Leandicho