What are the benefits and drawbacks of having sign language being taught?
Do you think sign language should be a class in public school?
Why I ask: Ever since I started taking sign language classes I’ve noticed a lot more deaf people in my area than before. It could just be a coincidence – but I think it’s because I never paid attention before.
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No, why should we? Should be an option to be taught in school though.
ebs187
Isn’t there a poll section.
and if they want to learn, sure.
The benefits are that you can communicate with people who can’t learn your language. Deaf people, who are truly physically and culturally Deaf, have to surmount incredible obstacles to master a spoken language, because so much of it is aural. (I’m not talking about the marginally Deaf/deaf or hard of hearing: many of them do learn to speak fairly well.)
I do think American Sign Language should be taught as a foreign language in public schools in the US. Contrary to what most people think, it is not just English put into gestures.
Its grammar is a lot closer to a Romance Language like French or Spanish than to English’s usual ‘subject, verb, direct object’ structure. So in my country, the US, it meets all the criteria of a foreign language.
American Sign Language is a language; SEE, SEEII, etc aren’t languages — they’re sign systems based on ASL. They’re great tools for teaching the English language to the Deaf, but they’re not the native language of the Deaf community.
You’re right: the more you learn about it, the more Deaf people you will see in your community, because you start to notice the differences between just hearing-type hand gestures and actual signs.
i think you could be right, i dont know any deaf people and i live in a very big area so i probably havent noticed. i think it could only be a good thing for it to be in school, its quite ignorant that its not already.
It would be nice if we had time to learn every language we might run into, but most of us don’t have that amount of time. I did learn a little sign language many years ago but mostly all I remember is the alphabet.
no whats the point… should we all learn russian too
No- schools should be more focused on teaching other languages, than other ways to express language.
There are a lot more french, Spanish, German, Mexican, etc, people in the world than there are deaf people.
I think everyone should learn according to their calling. If you are called to speak to the deaf, learn it and share in your calling.
If not, then if interested learn. Otherwise, I don’t think it’s relevent. It would be like learning German, Russian, or any other form of language.
i would rather my tax dollars went to sign language than to a language that will eventually be our downfall in this (society) whats left of it.just think of the teacher raise we could give them.
Yes, I do. Because it could come in handy if you lost your voice and couldn’t communicate orally. But a drawback could be the interpretations of the signs, to those who are not familiar with them, they might think that you are showing something vulgar or an obscene signs.
It’s taught in my school, I don’t really see any drawbacks. I think it should be available to learn, but not mandatory.
I think learning a second (or third…) language- whatever the format- is a great idea!
Answer: Heck, yes!
ASL is fundamental if you want to communicate with disadvantaged deaf people who can’t read lips or speak. Also, it’s fun!!!
I do believe everyone should learn sign language, but not be forced to learn it. There are classes held at Deaf and Hard of Hearing Social Centers (DHHSC) and are taught by those that are deaf. It is better for the students to learn for it forces them to use not only the hands, but also the facial features included in ASL (American Sign Language). At this time, I feel that public schools have enough problems right now and should not have the government forcing students to learn another language. It could be taught in middle and high schools as an elective in the Language Department.