Signing For Dummies (60 page)

ASL pride:
Deaf people speak of ASL quite often in conversations. You may attend plays and parties where ASL is the main topic. The Deaf community is very proud and protective of this language, so it’s often a hot topic.

Signing speed:
When you watch Deaf people in conversation and you can’t understand anything that is signed, don’t lose heart. Novice Signers often don’t understand Deaf nuances and abbreviations, and they often have a hard time keeping up. Stay with ASL; before you know it, you’ll be signing like a pro.

And, just so you know, few things are more volatile in the Deaf world than a hearing person who, having taken a semester or two of Sign Language classes, proceeds to lecture a Deaf person because he or she doesn’t sign the way the Sign Language teacher instructed.

Being aware of Deaf Awareness Month

Deaf Awareness Month,
which takes place in September, is nationally recognized and celebrated by the Deaf in their respective communities all across the United States. Each community works closely with the local interpreters to schedule their own events. Some events include picnics, lectures on Deafness, workshops on the Americans with Disabilities Act (where they speak on Deaf rights in the workforce), and the use of interpreters. Fundraisers and raffles are a big hit, too. They help provide resources for scholarships and general assistance to other organizations for the advancement of both Deaf and hearing people alike. If you want to find information regarding Deaf Awareness Month, go to
www.rid.org
and click on your state’s link. Most local chapters publish a monthly calendar.

Corporate organizations, some with a large Deaf staff, also sponsor events. One popular event is Movie Night. Often, a local movie theater will host a recently released movie — with subtitle captioning — at a discounted rate. (Some theaters continue to host special movie nights for the Deaf community throughout the year; check with your local theaters to see if any of them do.)

Another favorite activity during Deaf Awareness Month is the baseball game. For example, the Deaf arrive in droves at the San Diego Padres and L.A. Dodgers games in California. The billboards at the parks even flash a welcome to the Deaf community. Although the games are great, most Deaf people are there to socialize. They do ask who won at the end of the game, though!

The ins and outs of hanging out with Deaf friends

In order to be comfortable in the Deaf community, you should be familiar with some of their customs and nuances. Here are some common customs you may encounter.

Getting someone’s attention

You can get a Deaf person’s attention in a variety of ways. Each way is used according to the situation. A good general rule is to watch how and when the Deaf people do each one.

Flickering the lights:
If you attend a Deaf function and see someone flickering the lights on and off, don’t be in a hurry to tell him or her to “knock it off.” Flickering the lights gets everyone’s attention. This custom is equivalent to yelling for everyone to “listen up.” You can also use it to draw attention to yourself when you enter a room in which a Deaf person has his or her back turned toward you.

It isn’t customary to walk up behind a Deaf person and grab, poke, or slap him or her on the back. Doing so isn’t necessarily offensive, but that action is used as more of a warning that something is wrong or that there’s an emergency.

Waving:
Another way to get a Deaf person’s attention is to wave your hand in his or her peripheral vision field. Wave casually; a frantic wave may give the impression something is wrong.

Tapping:
If you’re close enough in distance to the person, a tap on the arm is a sure way to get a response. This is the preferred way to get someone’s attention.

Pounding and stomping:
Pounding an object, such as a table or counter, and/or stomping on the floor are two more ways that are sometimes used to get attention if someone has his or her back to you. These actions release vibrations that the Deaf person can feel. There’s no clear rule to follow as to which method to use, nor do Deaf people show a preference for one over the other. Stomping on the floor is usually done in a one-on-one situation, not in a group setting. You don’t need to pound or stomp hard; you just want to get that person’s attention, not scare him.

The eyes have it

Deaf people sometimes use their eyes for pointing. This is called
eye-gazing.
Deaf people also stare to refer to someone who isn’t present. If you want more info on this topic, flip back to
Chapter 3
.

Leaving egos at the door

If you’re a novice Signer and an invitation is extended to you from a Deaf person, the first rule is: Enjoy yourself! You were invited because that person wants a friendship and/or wants to introduce you to other members of the Deaf community.

Don’t make the same mistake that many novice Signers have made: feeling insulted. For people who can hear, having a Deaf person correct your Signing can be frustrating, even insulting. After all, you’re trying your best, and although you may not be signing perfectly, you’ve still received your share of compliments.