Illuminating Stories

[andrealynnj]

Just a place for putting down those moments you have had, with children or adults, deaf, HOH, hearing, special needs, typically developing, etc., etc. that illuminated your thinking . . . about anything.

[andrealynnj]

In learning about multilingual children, I was always told that if you are consistent about who speaks what languages to the child, the child does not get confused and successfully addresses each individual in the appropriate language.

This morning, the point was illucidated by a hearing two year old in our Tiny Sign class. His mother (Deaf) shared that her DS is pan faced when speaking to his grandparents (hearing), but very expressive when speaking/signing to his mother or his father (Deaf). I realized this was just another example of the rule I had always heard in French-English households, Spanish-English households, etc. I guess it just really clicked for me that ASL is a language all its own, that this child was learning ALL of the language in a way I never will, and that his brain is creating all those important extra connections that we so often hear are gained by growing up bilingual.

I don't know why I wasn't able to grok this before or why this did it for me, but it did.

The other fun thing was that I was trying to catch the lightening quick conversation between two Deaf women. I failed utterly, but then one of them summed the conversation for me slowly an I said thank you thank you thank you, and was then able to share the story with another woman there who knew almost no signs.

[aligreat]

I was at a lecture on Wedsneday given by a man who wrote "Deaf Daughter, Hearing Father." He read excerpts from his book, and one section he read was about how his daughter came up to him one day (at age 7, I believe) and asked, "Did you want a deaf baby?" He was floored by this question but knew that he had to answer it. He thought for a minute about how his life had been changed by learning about ASL and Deaf Culture and replied, "Yes, I wanted a deaf baby." He explained to us that perhaps he didn't know it when she was born, but that with everything he learned subsequently of course he wanted a deaf baby.

[Teresa Jo]

Many people (adults) seems to talk over children (of all ages) as though they were not there and even worse, as though they can not understand your "adult" conversation. Signing very clearly shows me that not only is my 16 month old listening, but he in fact is understanding! I love that through signing I can clearly see that his little brain is churning away. And of course I try to remember to keep my conversation around him "kid-friendly".

[amiller]

perhaps he didn't know it when she was born, but that with everything he learned subsequently of course he wanted a deaf baby.

I feel this way about Anyka every day - not necessarily that she is Deaf (she is probably not) but that she is who she is, with all her challenges, and I wouldn't have her any other way!

[kimberly]

Many people (adults) seems to talk over children (of all ages) as though they were not there and even worse, as though they can not understand your "adult" conversation. Signing very clearly shows me that not only is my 16 month old listening, but he in fact is understanding! I love that through signing I can clearly see that his little brain is churning away. And of course I try to remember to keep my conversation around him "kid-friendly".
There was remember a time when I was conversing with a friend where Carter - seemingly randomly - started signing airplane. He was just sitting at the other side of the room reading his books. Then I realize that he was signing airplane because a few sentances previously we had mentioned an airplane. He was pretty young at the time and it just blew me away. Ever since then I've been much more careful with my conversations, television, everything! They are always listening. And I love that my children have been able to communicate that to me through sign.

[amiller]

Ever since then I've been much more careful with my conversations, television, everything! They are always listening. And I love that my children have been able to communicate that to me through sign.

It's incredible when they finally connect signs to "abstract" things - conversations about airplanes rather than a picture for example - can you believe how their little minds make these leaps!?

[c01dunlap]

When I was telling my spouse about some of the things I've learned in the ST group & forums, I mentioned that Rachel participates. Quite impressed about that, paused a moment, and then said, "Well, you tell Rachel that way back when we were in Beginning or Intermediate ASL class [5 or so years ago], the instructor talked about facial expressions of people who sign. She equated it to hearing people who talk in a monotone vs. dynamic speakers who use inflections, etc. Well, now, after seeing Rachel on Signing Time, I finally understand what she was telling us. Rachel is *SO* expressive!!" :D

[andrealynnj]

My 20 month old and I were having an agrument as to whether she would sit at the table and eat or whether I would chase her around the room putting food in her mouth. We have a new kitchen and a new table and some new rules.

After it was clear that I was bigger than her and therfore would win the argument, she angrily signed DONT LIKE MAMA! I was somewhat taken aback but i was more amused than anything else. I am sure that if I hadn't taught her sign, I would have waited longer for such a sign of contempt of parental authority, but it was great that she could tell me what she was thinking!!

But probably not a story to advertise early communication!

[amiller]

she angrily signed DONT LIKE MAMA! ... probably not a story to advertise early communication!

Actually, there are some who would argue that this is the perfect advertisement for early communication! Think about it - she really wasn't liking you at the time (she was angry!) and instead of screaming, biting, hitting, throwing things, or other "toddler" behavior, she used her signs to communicate her feelings in an appropriate manner. I tihnk it's awesome!

[andrealynnj]

Actually, there are some who would argue that this is the perfect advertisement for early communication! Think about it - she really wasn't liking you at the time (she was angry!) and instead of screaming, biting, hitting, throwing things, or other "toddler" behavior, she used her signs to communicate her feelings in an appropriate manner. I tihnk it's awesome!


True, but not as poster-board-perfect as little ones signing "I love you" :)

[doedie74]

my 2 year old son actually communicated with a gorilla at the zoo a few weeks ago. this gorilla knows about 30 signs (probably the same 30 that my son knows), so he asked the gorilla to play a "hat game" with him. and low and behold, the gorilla did it. apparently this gorilla learned to sign about 25 years ago, and loves when children approach her. her sign language teacher showed her how to play this hat game when asked. it was an amazing sight - communication between the species.

[amiller]

this gorilla knows about 30 signs (probably the same 30 that my son knows)

How cool is that? I never thought about it, but the kids would probably go ape (ha ha) to a primate who can sign!

[c01dunlap]

my 2 year old son actually communicated with a gorilla at the zoo a few weeks ago. this gorilla knows about 30 signs ...
Out of curiosity, where is this zoo?

[andrealynnj]

my 2 year old son actually communicated with a gorilla at the zoo a few weeks ago. this gorilla knows about 30 signs (probably the same 30 that my son knows), so he asked the gorilla to play a "hat game" with him. and low and behold, the gorilla did it. apparently this gorilla learned to sign about 25 years ago, and loves when children approach her. her sign language teacher showed her how to play this hat game when asked. it was an amazing sight - communication between the species.

What an awesome story! How is the hat game played?

[andrealynnj]

I wonder if I can truly learn this language. I was very young when I learned Spanish, and quite young when I learned French. Now, int he second half of my fourth decade, learning a new language with my daughter felt exciting and energizing, but I begin to wonder if it is possible.

I sat and watched a conversation between two Deaf mothers about the rash or one mother's 9 month old baby. I caught little snippits of the conversation, but only enough to know they hadn't changed the subject. I remember having a similar experience my first weekend of my year in Honduras. It was only after living a year completely immersed in the language and with no recourse to people speaking english did I emerge fluent. I have had very few oppotunities in my life to interact with Deaf people. How can I achieve even proficiency in ASL when I have so few opportunities interact with Deaf people? How can I help my daughter to proficiency without consistent exposure to people who are at least skilled signers?

Can people who learned ASL as adults and achieved proficiency in the language share some thoughts? Also, I would love to hear the thoughts of parents for whom learning ASL is more than just a transition to when their child learns speech?

[amiller]

I have had very few oppotunities in my life to interact with Deaf people. How can I achieve even proficiency in ASL when I have so few opportunities interact with Deaf people? How can I help my daughter to proficiency without consistent exposure to people who are at least skilled signers?

I would say you have a good chance of finding native signers, if you will look into the opportunities where you live. There are often regular gatherings of the Deaf communities around the country, and they are pretty easy to track down on the internet. The just go, be among them, and sign as much as you can - mostly they will appreciate your efforts at communication. And sign a lot with your daughter - as much as possible - and she will acheive, if not fluency, then at least a working knowledge of the vocabulary. Grammar and structure can come later, in more formal study.

[andrealynnj]

Today after swim class, Imani and her cousin were playing out in the yard where we have a little post-swim picnic every week.

Imani and Sequoia climbed up on a concrete flower bed and were both standing there and Imani signed TRAIN. TRAIN WHERE? I signed. We were in a quiet parking lot, no triain to see or hear, no pictures that I could see as I looked around. :confused: Imani again signed TRAIN and pointed to the flower bed she was standing on. Then I got it. A month or more ago, she Sequoia and another child had played train around the edge of the flower bed. I had forgotten. My cousin Heidi had forgotten. But Imani remembered.

I guess she really enjoyed that train. :)

[amiller]

Isn't it funny what kids remember? And how great that she could sign that to tell you what she was thinking!

[andrealynnj]

I call my brother 'mano, short for hermano (spanish for brother), Imani thinks I call him LMNO, which she pronounces as "amano" so now she signs MUSIC UNCLE to ask for the song LMNO. How is that for a fun mix of three languages?

[andrealynnj]

As I was getting off the freeway and I realized I was too far to the right to make my turn. "Oh dear" I said. My little monkey in her car seat repeated, "oh dear! Oh dear!" and I looked in the mirror and she was signing DEER DEER. when I looked back at her she signed DEER WHERE with a very hopeful expresion.

I laughed so hard I almost had to pull over.

[c01dunlap]

As I was getting off the freeway and I realized I was too far to the right to make my turn. "Oh dear" I said. My little monkey in her car seat repeated, "oh dear! Oh dear!" and I looked in the mirror and she was signing DEER DEER. when I looked back at her she signed DEER WHERE with a very hopeful expresion.

I laughed so hard I almost had to pull over.
I love hearing these 'mixups', or should I say, 'matchups'... How sweet!

[Teresa Jo]

Daniel recently had his first baking lesson. He used a measure spoon to put some flour in a bowl, then used a measuring cup to add some water. As he was practicing his mixing skills, I said we could add more flour. And he responded by signing "flower". :D I have since looked up how to sign "flour" so I am ready for the next time.

[andrealynnj]

Imani signs POO BEAR for her Pooh backpack. :) A funny I thought I should try to fix but I couldn't think of anything so POO BEAR it is!

[JoJo]

Dear/deer! Ha! That's cute!

We just had a first moment like that this week. We went out to eat and Carson kepts saying, "What's that?" He pointed to a stuffed deer head and we signed DEER. He pointed to an airplane made of Dr. Pepper cans and signed AIRPLANE. He pointed to a blank wall. I said, "I don't know the sign. It's just a wall . . ."

He looked at me and signed "WOLF?"

Cool! We went home and looked up some pictures of wolves, and I learned the sign for WALL.

(By the way, the sign sure looks a lot like the sign I learned for "OPEN DOOR." I'll have to post to the "How do you sign?" later if I don't figure out the difference.

:-)
jo