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Stuart Thiessen wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid8ce58183b741b7d4e519500aa56dd52e@passitonservices.org"
type="cite">Here in Iowa, we have tried to mention SignWriting to both
our local mainstream program and the state school for the Deaf. I say
"mention" because we are still trying to figure out the best plan for
introducing it to the schools. Part of the challenge is that they have
pressure to achieve English literacy. For many of them, ASL Literacy
seems like they are going in the wrong direction, so they don't want to
"waste" their time. So part of making SW attractive to them (and many
others) involves having the "proof" that ASL literacy will lead to
English literacy. Even better would be "proof" that ASL literacy will
either lead to faster English literacy or better English literacy than
the various other programs available that do not involve ASL literacy.
Again, we would have to define what "proof" means. What we might call
"proof" might not be the same as they would call "proof". So that is
all part of the process too. <br>
<br>
So, (in stating the obvious) I think this is one of the high priority
research items that SW advocates need to develop is something that
shows how SL literacy impacts spoken language literacy. I think some of
that is happening now just in the ancedotal evidence that has been
mentioned on this list, and certainly Dr. Flood's dissertation is
another helpful resource toward this question. Valerie's Literacy
Project is another good avenue. So some things are happening. <br>
<br>
Now, I think all of us would agree that SL literacy is valuable on its
own, and I think eventually people are going to realize that. But in
the meantime, we will need to find ways to "dangle the carrot" and get
their interest. English literacy is certainly one that will grab the
attention of the educational community. Maybe we should brainstorm some
other avenues that can introduce SW into the schools, and maybe we can
come up with some other creative ideas. <br>
<br>
I do agree that residential schools are a key part of the puzzle, but
we must include the mainstream programs as well because so many deaf
children graduate from mainstream programs. This actually might be a
way to instill some pride in having Deaf heritage, language, and
culture for these mainstream students. <br>
<br>
Thanks, <br>
<br>
Stuart <br>
<br>
On Jan 6, 2007, at 23:27, Valerie Sutton wrote: <br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">SignWriting List <br>
January 6, 2006 <br>
<br>
Now that Cherie and Donna, at the Georgia School for the Deaf, have
initiated a SignWriting study, it is the first Residential School for
the Deaf in the US to try SignWriting...at least in one classroom... <br>
<br>
To explain, SignWriting is used in schools in the USA, such as Hodgin
Elementary School in New Mexico, but Hodgin is not a Residential School
for the Deaf...it is a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing program inside a
hearing school...mainstreamed I believe is the term... <br>
<br>
And perhaps Georgia School for the Deaf is not all residential either,
but it is still a School for the Deaf. Generally there are two in each
state in the US...anyway...to have SignWriting used, even
experimentally, at a School for the Deaf is very important, I think,
for getting acceptance from the Deaf Community later...If Deaf schools
(not just mainstreamed programs) accept SignWriting then we are
reaching more of the Deaf Community... <br>
<br>
Do you agree with this, Stuart? If more Deaf Residential Schools
adopted SignWriting it might gain more acceptance later? That is why it
would be so great if we could encourage more residential schools I
think...Val ;-) <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On Jan 6, 2007, at 8:06 PM, Stuart Thiessen wrote: <br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">It has been my experience (and for
understandable reasons) that hearing advocates of SignWriting are often
resisted. For example, one Deaf man I met was very resistant when I
mentioned SignWriting. He commented that he had met these hearing
people who tried to encourage him to use the system. But then Philip
and I talked with him and explained the system Deaf to Deaf. It made a
big difference for him to see Deaf people who championed the system.
So, with all due respect to hearing people (and to Valerie who invented
the system) and to all the other hearing people on this list who are
our valuable allies, I think that it pays to have Deaf advocates lead
the charge where possible. That way, the system cannot be put down as a
hearing-imposed system or some other such excuse. :) <br>
<br>
Now, I by no means am saying, Kelly, that you shouldn't advocate for
the system. I just suggest that you try a different tack. Perhaps use
it around Deaf people until you identify Deaf people who are open to
the idea and curious enough to explore it more. As they become more
convinced, together as a team, work to convince other Deaf of its
value. By building this kind of network, you will be better able to
overcome the resistance that some have toward the system because it
will no longer be a hearing-Deaf issue. If you let them push for it but
you simply provide some of the linguistic support that you have through
your education and skills, that will be a valuable way to do it. <br>
<br>
Thanks, <br>
<br>
Stuart <br>
<br>
On Jan 6, 2007, at 19:47, K.J. Boal wrote: <br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">Thanks Shane, <br>
I'm planning on doing that when I can, but I've talked to some of the
leaders of the Deaf community here (e.g., the chair of Deafness Studies
at the University of Alberta), and they have been very negative about
SignWriting. Without their support, it's definitely going to be an
uphill battle! <br>
Thanks again, <br>
Kelly Jo <br>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Back in December, I went to visit a deaf friend of mine in another city
here in Honduras. I wanted to encourage him to use SignWriting. He is
already sold on writing signs but writes them his own way. I printed
out
the first 6 lessons of the SignoEscritura because the explanations are
in Spanish and he reads a little bit of Spanish. I explained it all to
him but he said that it was too complicated. He prefers to draws the
all the fingers on the hand when he draws a hand and other drawings to
help remember the signs. I had been trying to do that before I found
Val's web site but found that after about an hour I couldn´t remember
or read what I had written. I have to give credit to my friend, he
does draw much better than I do. I much prefer SignWriting as it has
more,
should I say, specific hand positions and movements than trying to
invent mnemonic aids each time I try to write something.
Many of the people in our religious organization that are learning sign
language and the deaf we are teaching will want to have some kind of
way
to write sign language as we all try to participate in the religious
meetings either by preparing comments before hand or student talks
which requires some way of arranging and remembering ideas so that they
can be shared in sign language at a latter time.<br>
I gave another copy to a deaf friend who was visiting from El
Salvador. She was quite thankful and said that she would study it. I
haven´t been in contact since.<br>
So I was thinking, that another part of the battle helping people
and especially adopt SignWriting is to present it to them in the
easiest form possible so that they don't feel that they are taking 3
steps backwards to go 5 ahead. Maybe if they only felt like it was one
step back and 5 ahead they might offer as much resistance. Maybe we
could brainstorm ways lessen the learning curve so that they can take
onto the basics of SignWriting and use it. Then they could progress
while using SignWriting. <br>
Val's 4 levels of Goldilocks is an excellent way for school kids.
Should we expect adults to learn the same way? Is there a way of
making it easy for without have to go through more boring steps that
they may not humble themselves to do?<br>
Looking forward to everybody's remarks<br>
<br>
Jonathan<br>
<blockquote
cite="mid8ce58183b741b7d4e519500aa56dd52e@passitonservices.org"
type="cite">
<blockquote type="cite">
<blockquote type="cite">
<blockquote type="cite"><br>
<br>
<blockquote type="cite">From: "Shane Gilchrist O hEorpa"
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E"
href="mailto:shane.gilchrist.oheorpa@gmail.com"><shane.gilchrist.oheorpa@gmail.com></a>
<br>
Reply-To: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:sw-l@majordomo.valenciacc.edu">sw-l@majordomo.valenciacc.edu</a>
<br>
To: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:sw-l@majordomo.valenciacc.edu">sw-l@majordomo.valenciacc.edu</a>
<br>
Subject: [sw-l] Kelly Jo - Canadian Association? <br>
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2007 19:59:34 +0000 <br>
<br>
Kelly Jo, <br>
<br>
another possibiliy here is... <br>
<br>
you could go and set up a Canadian Association for Sign Writing - or <br>
something like that. <br>
<br>
Some of us have set up European SignWriters Organisation (some ll say <br>
SignWriting) in Brussels to support the development of SW in Europe - <br>
we are being slow but more and more people are picking up on SW. Our <br>
first ESWO symopsium did lead to more schools getting involved - and <br>
have impressed the Japanese people! <br>
<br>
It will take time but you will get there - just get a few deaf <br>
teachers/lecturers together in Canada, say Western Canada and the rest <br>
will be good. <br>
<br>
Shane @ ESWO <br>
<br>
</blockquote>
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<address><font face="Comic Sans MS"><big><font color="#6633ff">Jonathan
& Yolaine Duncan<br>
<span class="moz-smiley-s11"><span> 8-) </span></span>&<span
class="moz-smiley-s3"><span> ;-) </span></span></font>
<br>
<br>
</big></font></address>
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