<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type">
<title></title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">
Hmmmm, advice. I have none really. What I do know is that Deaf people
have much to offer in their understanding of where a written signed
language fits in their community. (I'm only familiar with the North
American situation, and most familiar with the Canadian scene.)<br>
<br>
Let me give you two examples of legitimate questions/concerns of
members of the Deaf community I have discussed writing ASL with.<br>
<br>
First, some (I suspect many) Deaf people are uncomfort with written
English, but they are aware that they must continuously use it if they
are to maintain proficiency in it. These Deaf people wonder what the
advantage is to having a written signed language when most of their
daily lives are filled with using written English for everything and,
therefore, they must be as good at is as they can be.<br>
<br>
A second concern is that ASL could go the way of manually coded English
systems. Some Deaf people note that although Deaf children are forced
to use signed English systems at school, they do not use them when they
are outside school and they are generally not used in the Deaf
community. So, it seems these systems are useful to hearing people, but
in a self-serving way for those (often educators) who will not, have
not, or cannot learn ASL. Additionally, it is probably educators, the
majority of whom are hearing, who are making the final decision about
writing ASL.<br>
<br>
If we listen to the genuine concerns of the Deaf community, I think we
will find both their questions and their insights invaluable.<br>
<br>
As for me? I think I said this recently, but I will repeat it here - If
Deaf children can bring literacy in their first language to English, I
believe it would be a great advantage. BUT, my belief is not enough, we
<b>need</b> research.<br>
<br>
So, no advice. Just lots of hope. odeeodee<br>
<br>
<br>
Valerie Sutton wrote:<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid5CA78CE4-721A-46FA-95FB-FE492DB3D9D4@signwriting.org"
type="cite">SignWriting List
<div>January 30, 2006</div>
<div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder">
</div>
<div>Barbara - You are absolutely right about this...Excellent point.
There is a history behind these issues, related to oppression.</div>
<div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder">
</div>
<div>What advice can you give all of us? How would you approach this?
I am very interested in your advice (or anyone else's advice)...
smile...</div>
<div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder">
</div>
<div>Val ;-)</div>
<div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder">
</div>
<div>---------------------</div>
<div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder">
</div>
<div><br class="khtml-block-placeholder">
<div><br>
<div>
<div>On Jan 30, 2006, at 11:01 AM, Barbara O'Dea wrote:</div>
<blockquote type="cite">If we think of the problem as one of
ignorance, pride and politics that can be overcome with information,
explanations and descriptions, we may be on the wrong road to change. I
expect that a change in cultural views, that have evolved in a milieu
of oppression and paternalism, will take a great deal more than
providing information. I thing the task of getting Deaf communities to
accept a written system for their signed langauges must include <b>dealing
with</b> those deep-rooted cultural mores.</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</body>
</html>