American Sign Language
For my honors language requirement, I decided to pursue American Sign Language (ASL). I decided to pursue American Sign Language because I was interested in the issues in the Deaf community and how the issues in the Deaf community relate to my studies in speech-language pathology. ASL is very visual in nature, and many people know a few signs in ASL, such as please, thank you, and sorry. However, learning the language and having opportunities to communicate with members of the Deaf community through ASL have taught me about the connections between language and culture, the importance of community and culture, and how I approach and learn about language as a member of a different community.
I have taken the classes Beginning Sign Language, Intermediate Sign Language, and Advanced Sign Language I. In class, we have learned through expressive and receptive exams, reflections, projects, essays, and Deaf events. Deaf events have perhaps been the most influential, because they are so interactive and reflective. To fulfill a Deaf event, one must observe two Deaf people interacting with one another, and you must have a full (at least five minutes of signing) conversation with a Deaf person. The requirements seem daunting and odd, but they are necessary in order to learn about Deaf culture.
There are also many times in which I have been at a loss of words (or signs) because I had difficulty understanding the meaning of what a Deaf person had signed to me, and we had to negotiate meanings with one another. I live in Minnesota, so I am primarily learning the dialect for Minnesota. Once, I signed with some Deaf people from Texas, and I has so much difficulty with understanding the regional sign for Baylor University. I was fortunate that these people were so understanding, and they took time to help explain to me what they meant as I asked questions. I have also had experiences in which I have been corrected in my signs during interactions, which have been important in my understanding of language, culture, semantic meanings, and pragmatic skills in ASL.
I have also learned about the challenges that the Deaf community faces and how they feel about popular culture and new technological advancements that can restore hearing. I have also learned about how many people feel about speech-language pathology because the Deaf community’s history with the oral method in which they were banned from using ASL to communicate, and they were forced to have speech therapy to learn how to talk. I also learn a lot about the frustration with cochlear implants, and how this recent technology can undermine ASL and make being Deaf seem like a disability. I have also learned about the importance of Deaf actors and models who sign, because they contribute to positive perceptions of the Deaf community. The importance of Deaf communities, churches, and clubs are also important because they are tailored to how Deaf people perceive the world. For example, Deaf churches are important because they are able to help Deaf people experience their spirituality. I have met a lot of Deaf people who get frustrated with the Bible because it is so figurative, and ASL is so literal, so they have difficulty understanding. There is so much to learn about the challenges they face, but it is also fascinating to learn about how they combat these challenges through their community.
Studying ASL has taught me about not only issues in the Deaf community, but issues within many cultural groups in the US. Although I am not a member of the Deaf community and culture, I have been privileged with opportunities to explore the culture through language, and I always learn about something new or obtain a new perspective whenever I sign with a Deaf person or with a hearing person who signs in ASL. Through these experiences, I have learned about ASL, and through reflection, I have made sense out of my interactions in order to fully learn from them.