[misc.handicap] Lipreading as Viable and Evident

James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (06/04/91)

Index Number: 15960

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Lipreading is a viable and evident method of communicating with hearies
only as long as it is functional for both parties. Due to factors you
mentioned and others, the "individuals" communicating in this manner
may have fairly smooth sailing or a frustrating-my god I wish this
was over already-experience. If it reach the my god stage, writing
may be the better alternative. I have tried it both ways and prefer
writing anyway when financial matters are the issue where I or theother
party is parting with money. I found out the hard way how rotten some
people can be when it comes to money and you ar edeaf. A lot of great
honest people out there, yes, but too many who would take advantage
or try to if they think your deafness affords the opportunity.

Darn got too far off the subject! Basically, the most viable and evident
communication methods depends on the people doingthe communicating.
Americans should at least learn to sign anyway. We as a nation are
narrowminded whenit comes to peoples of different language; "What!
You don't speak English! My God!" Sheesh. A lot of the world's citizens
know more than one language-American shold too. Sign language might
not be such a bad selection for many since so many of our own citizens
use it. Moreover, you can get good with the asscoiating pantomime and
mime characteristics of it to get by with other people too.

I am often amazed how easy it is for me to talk to people of other
countries via gestures and mime, then come home and have such a hard
time ordering a burger in my own country.

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