Quiescent Voices

ASL question

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:32:01 GMT

Hello all,

I was just looking on aslpro.com at the sign labeled "productivity" and it seems to be a combination of signs for WORK-THINK-HOPE. Am I understanding that right, and if so, how did that combination come together? Do you sign it differently?

Thanks :)

Is it a style? Or maybe regional?

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 23:15:17 GMT

I was looking for video and/or images of the sign "forever" for an art project... for years I've seen and known it to be signed from the head as an ILU hand shape and out away from the head to a Y hand shape (to put it as simply as possible, I hope the description makes sense).

Is this a regional thing? Because all the images and video I find when searching use "always" and then end in a y hand shape. Would the sign I am looking for in italics be better glossed as something else?

Any help appreciated!

Needing some help

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 04:33:07 GMT

Hi everyone :)

I've been a part of this community on LJ for a few years now, but have never posted. My name is Christi, I am hearing, have taken ASL for two years, and I am officially introducing myself (and coming out of stalker-mode) for a little bit of help from you.

I have an assignment that I am preparing for - a creative writing piece that depicts a character that becomes deaf from Meningitis as a toddler. I really want to do her character justice as I show her grow up and become a part of the Deaf community and learn ASL and be faced with the choices of a BTE or a CI. I want to be able to show her parents learning the language and trying to teach her as a child, and her siblings (who are hearing) and what it's like for them as well.

I am looking for any and all input... websites, books, movies, personal stories... anything you can give me. If you are d/Deaf from a similar situation and can tell me about your childhood and adaption into deafness, please tell me. If you are a sibling or parent of someone who is HOH or d/Deaf from Meningitis, tell me a bit of what you experienced. I want to know. I want to be able to write this piece with as much honor and respect and integrity as I can.

Thank you in advance... I truly appreciate you taking the time to help. :)

Communication issues between police and people who are deaf

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 05:12:53 GMT

I'm from Austin and this was posted in one of our local news papers-- I'm not sure how well known this incident was known about.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A1121824

Long story short there needs to be more training for police when it comes to situations that involve people with any sort of disability.

how a terp introduces herself to a college professor

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 04:44:36 GMT

A friend linked this video on my FB, and it's funny how an ASL interpreter introduces her role to a college professor at the beginning of the semester:

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:00:43 GMT

When I call someone else through the VRS, do my name and number show up on the other person's Caller ID? Or just 'unknown' (as in the case with TTY relay service back in the old days)?

Hearing Privilege?

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 07:27:39 GMT

Hey everybody, I was trying to find an article or anything online about Hearing Privilege, that included examples. All I really found was this. Do you know of anything else online? Also, if you wanted to make a list of examples as a comment, that would be sweet. I'm wanting to compose a post about this over at FYD.

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 04:05:01 GMT

Does anyone have a Verizon Droid 2 with a data-only plan? I looked at deafpagers.com, but the droid 2 doesn't have a data-only plan (which doesn't make deafpagers.com very deaf-friendly at all). I know that I can just go into a Verizon store to get the data plan implemented, but I want to make sure droid 2 can have a data-only plan.

ASL etymology?

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 01:30:14 GMT

I'm wondering about the signs for pen and pencil. As I understand it, "pen" looks like "write", and "pencil" looks the same, but first you mimic licking the pencil. Does anyone know how that developed?

Thanks!
x-posted to signing

Disability and Deaf Arts Festival in Liverpool

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:04:13 GMT

It is taking place from 18th November-6th December 2010 and sounds brilliant:
http://dadafest2010.co.uk/dada-events .

ASL grammar question "us two"

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 03:13:57 GMT

Hello all!

I'm in a second semester ASL class in college, and we recently discussed the sign "us two"/"them two"/"you two" where you have a K handshape and you shake it between the two people you're talking about. My professor (who is Deaf) used it in example sentences like

YOUR MOTHER FATHER THEM-TWO MARRIED?

or

YOUR BROTHER SISTER THEM-TWO GET-ALONG?

He also said that you can't use this sign between generations, like using it for your mother and your sister would not be considered "right". But this didn't fit with my prior knowledge, so I asked him about this situation: I'm standing with my parents, and I say to my mom that my dad and I went to a movie last night while she was at a meeting or something. I would sign US-TWO (dad and me) GO-TO MOVIE. He said that was fine, and that it was different than what we were talking about in class.

Am I missing something here? I just feel very confused. Thank you! (x-posted to signing)

Tmail for SK

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:29:26 GMT

Anyone notice that the 'configure email' link is gone from the bottom of the T-Mobile site after logging in? I went there to respond to emails at home because I have no coverage here, but now there's no way, as far as I can tell, to access my tmail on my computer :( I don't know if T-Mobile is currently doing work on the site or if the link/access is gone for forever.

deaf-friendly boston therapists?

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:55:35 GMT

I am trying to find therapists (preferably trauma therapists for adults) in the Boston area who are Deaf or fluent in sign language. I'm not sure if there are any, but as a favor to a friend I told her I'd ask around.

Thanks :)

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:29:59 GMT

I'm interning at a wildlife rehabilitation center and all the interns are required to do a project that involves working with the public. Normally interns would fulfill this by taking in calls and working the front desk. The problem? I can't hear.

The coordinator is open to any ideas. I've thought about these ideas:
- Print out sign language cards, laminate them, and make a few packets to hang around the rehabiliation center. They'd be simple signs like bird, medicine, feed, clean, thank you, etc. I have a few interns who have learned/are learning basic signs, so this would be helpful.
- The coordinator also wants it known that it's a deaf-friendly place to come in and volunteer, but I'm not sure how to go about recruiting them without seeming so offensive. I don't want to single them out. Any ideas?

Hearing Aids for Africa

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:53:28 GMT

Got hearing aids hiding in storage somewhere? Or just laying around unused? Old hearing aids that's been put away since you got new ones to replace them? Hey, send in any hearing aids and/or spare hearing aid batteries that aren't being used, and they'll be donated to deaf kids in Burkina, Africa! This hearing aids collection project is for the African Hope Initiative. A friend is working with an audiologist in Cheyenne to get the hearing aids cleaned up and working; and she will be flying out to Burkina in November with the hearing aids.

Here's where to send your hearing aids and/or batteries:
Hearing Aids for Africa
PO Box 50761
Casper, WY 82605

If you want more info about the African Hope Initiative, they have a website and a facebook page.
http://www.africanhopeinitiative.org/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/African-Hope-Initiative/212448954922

Just posted in the deaf_gay group

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:04:48 GMT

Hello there! Just introducing myself. I'm reposting this in this community due to the other community being inactive.

I'm Cindy, 23, from NYC and queer/genderfluid/female.
I guess you can say I'm supportive of the deaf community as well have admiration towards it too.

Learning Sign language is very important to me, though it's been at a stand still recently. I always wanted to find a Sign Language buddy but it never happened. I guess I started to pay more attention on whether or not I should learn Signed English rather than ASL and then discovered Pidgin.

I actually had a person through the internet that would teach me, and it was amazing how I could learn via text and also me making videos of signing.

I'm a bit shy to go into more detail about how I came about this admiration towards the deaf community, but feel free to talk to me :)

Random fact about me: I have super sensitive hearing to a point that I could hear what dogs could hear and most frequencies humans cannot hear. My ear/throat doctor told me I'm super human because of this haha.

AIM: tinyredhead2

Me:

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:20:33 GMT

This might not be the best place to post this, but the HOH community journal hasn't been much help.

Can you guys recommend a good phone amp? I just got a new job, and they want to order me one before I start.
I previously tried one that clips onto the receiver, and it did not work at all! It sounded awful. I currently have this one at work, but think I can probably find something of better quality (sound quality is not great). http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2467974
Any recommendations?

article on deaf rapper

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:32:49 GMT

http://www.parade.com/news/backpage/mitch-albom/100714-finding-his-beat.html

There was this article in the Parade about a deaf man, Sean Forbes, who raps, makes his own lyrics, videos, etc. He has a deal with a recording team :)

Though, I thought he was still a teen these days. He looks so young!

He does have videos on YouTube :)

Shame!

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:09:24 GMT

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/g8-g20/toronto/lawyer-seeks-translator-for-deaf-man-swept-up-by-g20-police/article1619559/

Not only as a private deaf citizen living in downtown Toronto, I’m also writing this as someone who work for a not for profit organization that caters to the needs of deaf, deafened, hard of hearing and hearing clients, I am ashamed of our Toronto police for their actions against the disabled.

Despite the purpose of the billion dollars security wasted in the city of Toronto, the money used could be utilized accordingly to accommodate those who have been arrested. Whatever their needs are need to be met and in a professional matter that do not violate anyone’s civil rights.

The not for profit organization I am very proud to be a member of did work together with the G20 people beforehand to provide three interpreters (two ASL-English interpreters and one Deaf Interpreter) in case of emergency.

This was an emergency. A deaf man’s civil right was ignored and put into jail for not being able to hear. The deaf man was not able to get an interpreter because the officers believed that he was able to lipread, therefore did not need an interpreter. He was put into jail overnight without being read his rights (properly with an interpreter) and he was charged for resisting arrest and assaulting an officer. Keep in mind that if you put a handcuff on a deaf person’s hands (and the hands are being used to communicate), of course the deaf person will resist.

The person who work very closely with us at the not for profit organization said;

“Handcuffing a deaf person is like putting duct tape over a hearing person’s mouth,” he said. “It’s a violation of their human rights.”

Please share and repost this as this is something we all need to show our support to.

Who decides identity? Them or me?

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 13:40:50 GMT

So I became profoundly deaf when I was two from meningitis. Even though audiologist test results states that I have severe profound hearing loss, I happen to be lucky to be able to wear hearing aids to help hear and be able to speak. Years of speech therapy, I am able to articulate quite well. My speech is not 100% perfect on every word, but anyone, even a dog still understands me.

Anyway, almost three years ago, I started getting involved in the deaf community. I was told that the individual is the one that decides if one is deaf, Deaf, or HoH. I identify myself as in between Deaf and deaf, but for less complications, I identify myself as Deaf. My problem is that many of my deaf peers continually identify me as HoH. They keep introducing me to other individuals as HoH, simply because I got lucky with hearing aids and ability to speak. I know I'm not the only D/deaf person to get lucky with hearing aids / ability to speak, and they don't seem to get that, considering that some of them can speak, but choose not to speak.

I continually have to correct my hearing peers as well, that they are not to identify me as HoH, but as deaf. For some reason, this doesn't bother me, because usually most people ask why I prefer to be identify as deaf, and that's my opportunity to educate them.

It is starting to get a bit frustrating, especially since some of my close peers / friends continually identify me as HoH, despite my protest that I am pathologically deaf, and do attend to deaf community functions enough for people to know who I am. I certainly don't feel it is up to them to decide how to identify me. I am starting to get offended, especially since I've known some people for close to 3 years...

Are there any other ways I can deal with this? Am I going to have to get a little more abrasive and put down my foot a little bit harder than usual ?

ASL Translation

Mon, 17 May 2010 07:42:39 GMT

Hi all,

I've been asked to interpret a spiritual song ("Prepare Ye the Way/Bless the Lord") in ASL, but my grammar and syntax are super rusty! I've included the original English lyrics and my proposed ASL translation. Any feedback and comments you could give me would be enormously appreciated!

Thanks so much!

Original English Version

Prepare ye the way of the Lord
Prepare ye
Oh bless the Lord my soul!
His grace to thee proclaim!
And all that is within me joins to bless His holy name
Oh bless the Lord
Oh yeah!

Oh bless the Lord my soul!
His mercies bear in mind
Forget not all His benefits
The Lord to thee is kind
Prepare ye

He will not always chide
He will with patience wait
His wrath is ever slow to rise
And ready to abate
Oh bless the Lord

Oh bless the Lord my soul
My soul!

ASL Version

PREPARE YOU LORD WAY
PREPARE YOU
LORD BLESS MY SOUL
YOU PROCLAIM HIS GRACE
ALL INSIDE ME JOIN BLESS HIS NAME HOLY
BLESS LORD
OH YES!

LORD BLESS MY SOUL
(MERCY OF GOD) REMEMBER
FORGET NOT HIS BENEFIT
LORD KIND YOU
PREPARE YOU

HE WILL NOT SCOLD ALWAYS
PATIENT WILL HE WAIT
(WRATH OF GOD) RISE SLOWLY
READY GO DOWN
BLESS LORD

MY SOUL THE LORD BLESS
MY SOUL!

FCC changes and future of VRS

Fri, 14 May 2010 04:06:34 GMT

I recently got an email from the Purple company about applying a Purple account to your VP-200, because VRS may disappear. So, I went to check out Sorenson's website, and there's a video of what's happening with the FCC.

http://www.sorensonvrs.com/

Basically, the FCC has adjusted the compensation rates and SVRS is all up in arms about that in a panicky mode.

Personally? I think VRS companies will find a way to keep the services going and get used to the new compensation rates.

I think it's about time we step up and offer to pay for using the videophone services. We can have monthly plans based on our VP-to-VP usage, and the use of VRS is still free for intepreted calls (but call charges would still apply, like regional and long distance charges, or maybe just a flat rate). If a Deaf user is low income, it's really easy to provide proof of income (or SSDI payments) and be granted a discount or pay nothing. If a Deaf user is a minor, it's also easy to provide proof and pay, say, $5 a month.

Monthly rates don't have to be exhorbitant, but it can help reduce the taxpayer's burden and keep these services available for us all.

If anyone asks "why should we pay?," I will ask you "are we that different from hearing people that we can't pay for services we use? After all, don't you also pay for a text/IM/internet service on a cellphone or Sidekick or PDA or BlackBerry, etc?" Hearing people pay monthly rates for their landlines, so why shouldn't we pay up, too? We don't have to pay for the interpreting service itself, but for the calls we initiate. Remember the days of the TTY? We still paid for the service of a landline, right? We still paid extra for regional, toll, and long distance calls, right?

Hearing Ignorance of Deaf Culture

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:42:25 GMT

Hi guys,

I am an audiology grad student currently enrolled in a Deaf culture/history/community/etc awareness type class. I was hoping to find a deaf community discussion forum. I am writing a paper for this class and was hoping to get lots of input from Deaf individuals. In class whenever we would do research/have discussion about topics (like audism, education- oralism vs tc vs bi-bi, language, etc) it seemed that we always came back to the same issue- much of the hearing world in America is very ignorant of what Deaf is. Deaf language, community, history, etc. I wanted to explore this further in my paper. Why are most hearing people unaware of this? How can more awareness happen- or does it need to happen? Should we include American Deaf history in our public school textbooks? That sort of thing.

What are your thoughts on this? What type of encounters have you had with ignorance? (For example, I'm a waitress as well as a student and I know enough sign to greet my tables, take their orders, etc. but none of the other servers do. We are near a residential Deaf school and have many deaf customers. I asked another server how he interacts with his deaf customers and he said "As long as you look them in the face and talk slowly they will understand, because they can all lipread". How idiotic! I was inclined to flare up at him but realized he was just displaying his ignorance. That type of thing....)

I would love to hear from yall! Also, can anyone recommend other forums/blogs I could try to get a discussion going on? Thanks very much for any input!

Problem with confronting Deaf co-workers who are racist

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:23:44 GMT

*For the Record, I am profoundly Deaf and my first language is ASL.

I had an awkward confrontation with a co worker (not really a co worker per se, just someone who work in a different department). She approached me and asked about how I’m doing. We chatted for awhile and I asked her what she did on the weekend and she mentioned that she went food shopping and I recognized the places she was talking about so I said ‘so, you go to Food Basics, right?’ and her answer were; “no, i don’t go where the foreigners shops”.

I was a bit taken back and remembered that okay, I may have misunderstood her signing so I asked her again ‘What’s wrong with Food Basic?’ and she explained that she didn’t like all the ‘nasty smelly people who buys weird food’. I sat there thinking ‘what am I going to do? How do I answer this person?’ and usually if it were a hearing person, i would react differently but because this person is Deaf and understood what being oppressed were like, I had to explain it differently. I explained to her that I thought it was inappropriate for her to talk about the ‘foreigners’ that way and that we all face oppression and why do it again to other people? She took it as a big offense and kept reiterating that it was a ‘Deaf Culture thing’.

The thing about is that I’m part of the Deaf Culture and community. That was definitely not a Deaf Culture thing. The worst thing of it all is that this co-worker actually work in an department that cater to the needs of Deaf immigrants and I wouldn’t want her negative attitude to be around her clients.

Who does that anyway? Blame culture for doing or saying really discriminatory things?

xposted to my journal and other communities

Interpreter Question

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:07:53 GMT

Thanks to everyone who offered to help and who answered my previous questions about employment for my Deaf Culture class.

This time, our class is talking about interpreters.

Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with interpreters they'd be willing to share with me? You can just answer in the comments. Or you can send me a private message if you'd rather.

I guess I'm mostly looking for experiences with signed language->spoken language (such as ASL/English) interpreters. But if you've used another type of interpreter or something like CART, I'd be interested in hearing about that too.

Thanks in advance. I'm really looking forward to hearing people's experiences. It's class that's prompting me to ask, but I'm genuinely interested for myself as well.