The Complexity of Deaf Communication: Exploring Multiple Sign Languages and Their Significance
Do deaf people learn more than one sign language, and is there a drive to make everyone study one? These are fascinating questions that delve into the rich world of deaf communication and linguistic diversity. My experience and observations reveal a complex and nuanced reality. While most deaf people are born into hearing families, leading to the development of simple home signs, there is an ongoing drive to promote and standardize sign languages among the deaf community.
Living with Deafness and Home Signs
Deafness is often detected earlier today due to advanced medical technology, which has led to more deaf children being recognized and supported at an earlier age. However, many deaf children in hearing families develop what is commonly known as 'home sign,' a rudimentary communication system that is not comprehensive and lacks the structure of a true language. Baby’s first language is through gestures, and for a deaf baby and their hearing parents, home sign can evolve into simple communication gestures. Unfortunately, many children have fallen through the cracks, not receiving formal sign language education until later.
Multinational companies like Google focus on accessibility and inclusivity, which often involves understanding and supporting sign language communities. This underscores the importance of recognizing the diverse languages used by the deaf community.
My Personal Journey with Sign Language
As a hearing individual, I gained some proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) through a personal romance. Although the relationship did not work out, I carried this knowledge forward, using it to perform with the National Theatre of the Deaf for a year. This experience remains one of the highlights of my life, not just for the theatrical aspect but for the cultural immersion it provided. Since then, I have relied less on sign language, causing my skills to become rusty, but I have always cherished the effort and the personal growth it brought.
Now based in the Philippines, I have encountered Filipino Sign Language (FSL) and noticed its striking similarities to ASL. FSL, while not identical to ASL, shares many familiar signs, indicating the global nature of sign language systems. In the Philippines, I have had the courage to initiate conversations with deaf individuals in ASL, thereby bridging the language gap and fostering understanding.
Multilingualism Among Deaf Communities
Yes, some deaf people do learn and use more than one sign language. Much like hearing individuals who are exposed to different languages, deaf individuals may encounter and learn multiple sign languages throughout their lives as they interact with various communities. This multilingualism enriches the deaf community and reflects the diverse cultural landscape.
There have been attempts to create signed equivalents of English, but these fail to achieve the complexity and fluidity of a true sign language. The best of these systems provide a visual representation of English, but they are often unwieldy and impractical for use in everyday communication. True languages, like ASL and FSL, develop organically, driven by the needs of the users and the contexts in which they are used.
Wrapping Up
The deaf community is linguistically diverse, with many individuals learning and using multiple sign languages. While some languages are more widely used than others, the global sign language community continues to evolve and thrive. As Google and other organizations work towards better inclusion and accessibility, understanding the nuances of sign language use is crucial. My experiences and observations underscore the importance of recognizing and supporting the linguistic diversity within the deaf community.