Georgie Porgie on her hearing

[andmakethemcry]

"Children of a Lesser God" is on. I love William Hurt. He could sign to me all day. Maybe then my hearing problem wouldn't be so bad. It'd be more like a quirk that gets me laid by hot guys like young, 1980s William Hurt

Comments

[pullstrings]

There are several incorrect and misguided feelings you express here. First, it seems you're under the impression that American and British English are the same. While that's a very State-side mindset, I assure you, English is far superior than anything you could muster.

Second, you speak of the "deaf community" as being undefined by a central culture. This is also terribly unfortunate for you to conclude. Deafness is indeed not a culture in the sense of a nation or a subset of such a nation - but it is a culture nonetheless. I don't believe it's up to you or anyone else to decide if something is not a culture, especially if you are as ill-informed on the subject as you appear to be.

My third point stands in the fact that you are not fully disabled and therefore are not part of the culture that is substantiated by sign language. Should we then argue that any culture based on a common trait or understanding (ie. music, race, or language) should be automatically dismissed as a unique phenomena? No. I do not think so.

Fourth, I do not think it is wise of you to use the term "disabled freak" when you are so clearly dysfunctional and ethnocentric. Fifth, I hope that you will put more thought into further conjectures. Have a lovely day!

[strucktwelve]

I like you.

[pullstrings]

I like me, too!

[strucktwelve]

We should start a club.

[pullstrings]

Would there be meetings and pins?

[strucktwelve]

Trying to fashion a logo as we speak!

[ticktocktavi]

If it's open membership, I'm joining.

[andmakethemcry]

That was exactly what I meant, actually. We speak the same language, but we're not from the same culture. We speak differently, yes, but it's still the same language. Sign language is also not universal.

I am not ill-informed. I am completely deaf in one of my ears and it has affected me greatly. I'm also working with the deaf community to try to help them end their silence. It is not and should not be a culture. There is a way that they can hear. Fortunately, many are taking advantage of that. But some are not and it saddens me that they would object to hearing. Helen Keller certainly wanted to hear.

I do speak sign language. I also read lips. If I did not, I'd be even less able to fit into society. Talk to me about not being fully disabled when you lose half of your hearing. No trait should be used to define someone, no. Race culture is different because there is more involved than just language. There's history and cultural differences. Deaf Americans are Americans. They belong to the American culture. They speak American sign language.

I am not ethnocentric. Everyone's dysfunctional, though. I agree with you there. I have put thought into this. I've been dealing with this since before I can remember. But then I guess you simply cannot understand where I'm coming from.

[strucktwelve]

American Sign Language, to my understanding, is a separate language with its own nuances of syntax and grammar. That's why it's accepted as a foreign language in admissions to universities. One of the other professors at school was trying to explain to me the inherent differences in something called "morphs," but I'm afraid the finer points of his explanation escaped me.

As for history and origins of culture, I think there's something in regard to Martha's Vineyard to account for that.

[andmakethemcry]

It is another language, but it is American sign language. Meaning it uses American phrases and English.

[strucktwelve]

That's assuming the individual in question is fluent in both English as you and I speak it and ASL. This might be a bit presumptuous on my part, but I don't think a Deaf person would immediately equate their sign language in terms of American English, but as a language in its own right.

That premise might be valid if you were talking specifically about Pigeon Signed English, but that hardly extends to American Sign Language or British Sign Language.

[pullstrings]

Sign language is not universal because there is not a great majority of deaf people. If this were the case, it would be more widespread.

Darling, it seems as though you're under the impression that sign language is particular to Americans. While you may know and use sign language, you don't appear to understand that it is accepted as a foreign language, simply due to the originality and uniqueness that pervades the syntax and grammar within it.

In addition to this, you appear to be convinced that there is a singular American culture. While I'm sure you all have your similarities, the United States are renown for the individuality of every subculture. Indeed, one may be a part of multiple cultures. I, myself, was born and raised in London, but I spent the better part of my schooling in Kent, and now have established various places in a handful of different subcultures both in England and New York City. My places in these groups are invaluable to me, and it should be no different for someone who has a handicap such as deafness.

I do try not to make accusations, but it is very difficult of me to see a rational viewpoint in your argument when you go about tossing insults willy-nilly, as you have now.

[elder_goat]

THERE AIN'T NOTHIN' WRONG WITH MY FUCKIN' ENGLISH!