CHAPTER 21:

"How do deaf people feel when a hearing person approaches them in public using sign language?"

I am a server at a resturant here in town and I waited on a party od 9 deaf people. When I approached the table signing, I think they were thrown off. Why did I just start signing without asking if they were all deaf or if any were hearing?
I dont think they thought I was offensive and by the end og the meal when I started to feel more comfortable, we made jokes and I feel like the appreicated me for knowing their language. In every day situations a deaf person will ask for help if they need it just like a hearing person would. Just because a person is deaf doesnt mean they need help. They have adapted and are independent.

CHAPTER 20:

"I heard that ASL is the 3rd most used language in the U.S. If this is true why dont all universities accept ASL as a foreign kanguage?"

First, if you are not deaf or have no deaf members of your family the deaf culture is foreign to you. ASL is a growing language that people desire to learn about. Universities should in fact offer and accept ASL as a foreign language. To me, saying sign language isnt foreign would be equivelent to saying Spanish is not foreign. Which is not the case. Deaf culture is foreign to us that have never studied it.

CHAPTER 19:

 "What is Total Communication?"

Total communication is popular in the U.S. but very tricky to define. The Conference of Educational Administration Serving the Deaf defines TC as "a philosphy incorporating the appropriate aural, manual, and oral modes of communication in order to ensure effective communication among hearing-impaired persons". Total communication is the throwback to an outlook in a broader view that held the acquistion of speech that is not the be-all and end-all of dead education_it is just one aspect. There are other approaches such as: simultaneous communication and bilingual-bicultural(most popular today) that makes this language even more complex!
Considering that sign language is continuously changing and adapting to the newest trends in deaf education, we use the bilingual approach today which uses ASL in the classroom to teach English. I truly believe that attention must be paid to the inndividual needs of each deaf child. As stated in text, a residual hearing person may be happiest in an oral/aural program where on the other hand a profoundly deaf person may be happiest in an ASL affirmative environment.

CHAPTER 18:

 "How do I know if someone is using ASL or signed English?"

First I would like to start of by saying that all of my life that I have learned and was taught sign language, it has blown my mind that there are so many details about deaf culture that I never was told. To much not to question, why? Sign- language continuum is a diagram representing the entire population of sign-language users_ that is the purest signing exact english approach. I thought that ASL and signed English were the same. English is an orally/aurally based language while ASL is an visual/gestural/spatial language. There is a manual code to sign language which is fingerspelling, which also I find myself doing when I can not think of an exact sign for a particular word. A deaf person often knows the alphabet in fingerspelling which provides a way of communication for people who are not fluent. It is important to know that "Basic sign" wont introduce you to ASL_but to some or many of the components of communication. The best thing to do is practice, practice, practice!

CHAPTER 17:

"What is Pigin Sign English?"

American Heritage Dictionary defines Pidgin as "a simplified form of speech usually a mixture of two or more languages_and used for communication between groups speaking different languages. PSE (Pidgin sign english) is an impromptu blend of ASL and American English signs. Before I took my ASL calss, I had misconceptions about sign language as a whole. I had no idea there were so many dialects and so many characteristics. I thought all signs were universal and PSE was the way deaf people communicated. Little did I know. Before reading this chapter I had been wondering wha kind of sign language I was taught growing up. I realized after reading this chapter it was in fact PSE. I still cant believe how different ASL is. I grew up with my best friend, whose mother was deaf, she taught me the sign language I knew prior to this class. I realize now that she spoke in english sentences siging just as a hearing person would. PSE is commonly used when ASL- deaf people communicate with a hearing person who are not fluent in ASL, but do know some signs and fingerspelling.My own understanding of Sign language_ or what I feel more comfortable with is PSE. There are so mo much syntax grammatical structure of ASL like every language that people have trouble understanding. Looking back on that part of my life, I wish I would have known what I do now. I cant wait to visit her again so I can see if she uses ASL or PSE.

CHAPTER 16:

 "Are there any home correspondence courses in Basic Sign?"

Imagine not knowing anything about the Mexican culture and living in Mexico, surrounded by spanish speaking people. You are unable to communicate because your native language is English,  would you feel lost? confused? frustrated?
Deaf people are likely to live in big cities so that they can reside with people who understand their culture and communicate. Sign language is best learned with a fluent signer to practice with. In addition, there are video courses such as: DawnSignPress, Dictonary of American Sign Language, and multimedia programs that provide access to more help. It is important to remember that each signer is going to have their own unique body language and expression. A learning method such as DawnSignPress may work for one student but may not be practical for another. The best thing to remember is that basic sign is best learned by practice and it is helpful to keep track of the varations of sign.

CHAPTER 15:

 "Should all hearing people be required to learn signing, and if so what are the absolute essentials?"

Sign language is a language that many people forget about, or dont know enough about. Children in preschool are at the prime age for language acquistion. They take it "naturally" and tend to master it quickly. I believe that children should be required to learn sign language because there are many causes to deafness and if they establish sign language as they are young it isnt as hard to learn as it is for an older person. Learning to sign can also be beneficial for children. For example, If a child is in a church sermon and has to use the rest room that child can simply sign to their parents without distracting anyone around. Sign Langauge is also good practice for hand-eye coordination and manual- dexerity skills. It is a language that can be useful through out life and I strongly believe that hearing people should be encouraged to learn.

CHAPTER 14:

" I know it takes a great deal of practice, but do you have any information on how to better accomplish fingerspelling?"

Fingerspelling is the easiest part of sign language to me. Although it did take a great deal of practice to accomplish the speed that I currently am at. Fingerspelling is a vital kinetic-visual skill and takes alot of practice and training of your fingers to get used to. I agree with the respondent in the book that you should use your signing hand as a "new voice". From personal experience if you feel confident while signing most conversations will be less complicated because you can focus on what the signer is trying to say. Also, you have to train your eyes to "see quickly" just like you have to train your hands to coordinate. I completely agree again with the text motivation is more important than dexerity and clarity is more important than speed. Sign language is complex and takes practice to accomplish a goos speed at fingerspelling.

CHAPTER 13:

"I've noticed that when someone uses ILY sign in public, some of my deaf friends have a dismayed expressions on their faces. Dont they like it?"

ILY means I love you, and formed with the fingershape of each or the beginning letter of each word with one hand. Most people loved this sign when it was first brought out, but often they feel once people have established a meaning and know that sign they are "safe" and feel more comfortable in conversations with deaf people. Sign language is just like every other foreign language that people dont grow acustomed too. In some cases I feel that hearing people often cross the boundaries of being offensive and annoying when it comes to conversating with a deaf person. For example, If you only knew one word in spanish and every time you approached a fluent spanish speaker with the one word that you know, they would be confused and probably be annoyed after a while. Same goes for deaf people. Unfortunately not many people acknowledge sign language as the actual language that it is, so when a hearing person learns ILY sign and constatly use it a deaf person is likely to wonder why that one sign. I believe that this sign has become so popular because it is a way to symbolize, "I love you" with one hand and can be seen from a distance when your voice wont carry. I am gulity of using this sign sometimes, and I will be the first to say that some people over use it. I believe that if you think that one sign is unique and interesting you should study ASL and learn many more signs and expand your vocabulary!

CHAPTER 12:

                         "I want to learn bigger signs"

Sign language is a very complex interesting language that people develop their own signature signing technique, just as every hearing person have their own voice. Resources to learn more about ASL can be easily found. Such as: A public library, Internet, CD-ROM, DVD, Videotapes, clubs, classes, and organizations are provided for people to gather the exact information that they want. All of these things reflect the growing popularity of ASL and increasing of "deaf awareness". As for my own personal opinion, I desire to learn as much about deaf culture and signing as I can. I do understand why people have misconceptions about the language itself and also the confusion that arises.
Sign language is a visua language and the best way to learn bigger signs is practice with either a skilled teacher/fluent signer or a deaf person. For me, I need to signn every day to become fimilar with new words because there is so much to learn and remember.

PRACTICE !   PRACTICE!      PRACTICE!

CHAPTER 11:

 "I heard that there are new, nonracist signs for Korean, Chinese, and Japanese that dont involve reference to slanting eyes. Would you please describe these, and any other new signs regarding ethnicity or nationality that come to mind?"

Sign language is not the only language that classifies different groups of people by using some distinct word, sign, or description to point out unique characteristics. The original signs for Korean, Chinese, and Japanese could easily be taken as racist and offensive. However, I do not believe that these were intended to be taken in an prejudice way. Sign language is characterized by the same sort of sexist, racist, ethnic and religious bias tht marks other languages. For example, "female" signs indicate on the femiine gender such as: woman, girl, wife, mother, daughter, etc. are made on the cheek bone near the chin and mouth. Reflecting the old-fashioned gesture of tapping a hat. Same goes with "male" signs which are done in the masculine zone. Signs like "think" "intelligent" "briliant" and "genius" are made in the "masculine zone". If people think a reference to a phyiscal characteristic of another race is offensive, how is the masculine zone any less biased torwards women?
Some signs could be taken offensive to a foreign person and I do believe that there is always room for updates and changing signs that are more up to date with this generation.