James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (03/21/91)
Index Number: 14093
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
The real problem with deaf education is that the hearing dominated
profession refuses to recognize that deaf people are deaf, have
their own language and that language could be used to further the
education of the deaf. They refuse to do this because English
based systems are easier for the hearing. They are so busy trying
to make us something we ARE NOT that they don't care what we ARE.
When ASL is mentioned, it gets insulted. It gets called pig latin,
not a real language and God knows what else. This is historical of
dominant members of a society oppressing and suppressing the
progress of minority members of the society. You destroy a
language, you destroy the people whose language it is. You neuter
and dis-empower them. You take away their sense of self. Behold
Total Communication! Many programs that began it have dropped it
for something else. Research shows it is not effective. Part of
the reason is that is in inherently impractical to apply in the
manner theory calls for it to be applied and as result it is not
applied in the manner envisioned. Even if were, SEE'ers and MCE
people would say ASL ruined it. Watch what happens. Several kids
know ASL. You use it with them. Because deaf kids take to it
know ASL. You use it with them. Because deaf kids take to it
rather naturally, those who don't use it will rapidly learn it
from their peers who do use it. ASL will quickly become the
dominant sign language used by the kids ( at least among each
other) and it will be well internalized and quickly. Kids are like
linguistic sponges when the input medium (ear or eye) in not
hindered or impaired. The teacher in theory would find a need to
use ASL with each kid more and more, but that is not what happens.
The teachers are often hearing and have little or no ASL ability.
They make TC a fallacy by virtue of lacking this skill. So they
use an MCE system which most kids don't internalize because the
input medium required for English is the ear. Go ahead try it.
Tell a kid this: A WONDERFUL BIRD IS THE PELICAN. HIS BEAK CAN
HOLD MORE THAN HIS BELICAN. BUT I WILL BE DARN IF I KNOW HOW THE
HELICAN! This is not spelled correctly, yet if spoken, you get a
guffaw from many a hearing kid, but not a deaf child. You don't
because the eye is not the NATURAL medium for English. However,
the eye is very much the NATURAL medium for ASL. ASL is more
readily assimilated by deaf children because the brain is not
fighting against an unnatural phenomenon forced on it. Dr. Stacks'
research showed that MCE has something in it that the brain simply
refuses to process and this cause most truly deaf children to
struggle as they do with English. He found that ASL lacked this
element and was easily assimilated. I believe he located the area
of the brain that was specifically affected. He concluded that for
most deaf people, MCE was hindering and not helping the deaf.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!300!14!James.Womack
Internet: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.orgMPR.Ralph@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.org (MPR Ralph) (03/23/91)
Index Number: 14133
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
How so true! We in Philadelphia are trying to empower the deaf community
to take more control of our lives. We don't need to rely so much on the
larger hearing community. I have seen countless times where deaf
individuals expressed their opinions and what answer or comment they get
the majority of the time. Just one word, "But." We have an ASL study
group at PSD which was formed this past fall. Anyway, The first two
meetings we had. I should back up there were five deaf staff and two
hearing staff. The deaf staff consists of psychologist, PE teacher, and
three teacher aides. Every time, a deaf individual would share an opinion
at the meeting. There would be a "but" In all fairness, a couple buts
were made by deaf members. The third meeting which I ran. I added a rule.
Just listen, no buts....What is nice is that it encouraged people to
listen really listen without jumping in. This is just an example Back to
empowerment, we establish a deaf caucus made up of deaf organizations and
only deaf people are there representing. Hopefully, with support and the
opportunity to run meetings using ASL as the primary language without
relying on interpreters. how often we seen where hearing people didn't
understand the point a deaf person make and he/she has to start over
again and there is always the but the but the but I am sick of the but.
the hearing people in several of the organizations are upset at being
shut out. I am trying to say that we are very capable and we dont have to
run to hearing people when we need help etc not in this time and age with
message relay services etc. until such a time where deaf people feel
respected and appreciated by the larger hearing majority. we may then say,
join us and walk with us. I recognized that there are countless hearing
individuals who done so much for us. we recognized that. It is time for
us to find out what we are capable of doing on our own. What you say?
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!273!210!MPR.Ralph
Internet: MPR.Ralph@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.orgMPR.Ralph@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.org (MPR Ralph) (03/23/91)
Index Number: 14143
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
You bet!!!!!!!!!! I am curious about your D.E.A.F. network... Are you
aware of the significant changes that have occurred at the Indiana School
for the Deaf and the Learning Center for the Deaf in Mass. We are taking
a hard look at the Learning Center for the Deaf and what they have
accomplished with ASL, Bilcultural, Bilingual, and so on. I have an
article that I can send you if you want if You havent heard about the
significant changes. I have the feeling that you have been right on top
of it. lIn closing, I think you and I will get along just fine. Believe
it or not, I wastempted to respond to your first response to my first
ever posting on this BBS by saying that you took that one sentence out of
content. But i was excited about getting the response and say to myself
hey we have to be on our toes here. Again, in closing, will keep on
posting. Just maybe, just maybe, Maureen Mazza will try this BBS to say
hi. Adios from Philadelphia.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!273!210!MPR.Ralph
Internet: MPR.Ralph@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.orgAnn.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker) (03/23/91)
Index Number: 14145
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
> ASL is NATURAL for deaf people. ASL is a vvisual language.
Whoa! Wait a minute - ASL is NOT NATURAL for ALL deaf people.
It isn't for ME! Yes, it is a visual language but then so
are the others - even lipreading is visual.
I don't agree with you about ASL - it's not the only communicative
mode that works for ALL - there are many others and all work in
one way or the other. It's really a personal choice as to what
one wants to use or feels most comfortable with.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!385!14.0!Ann.Stalnaker
Internet: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org