A Retraction

[Richard Arnold]

Dear Richard,

Thank you for your email.

I am angry that you, in fact, did refer to me as 'one American SL researcher'
in your message to the SLLING list. It was a clear reference to me as you
acknowledged in your email to me. That's libel and my professional reputation
can be harmed if inferences are being made from your message that I am that
person. G. K. is in full agreement with me. You yourself admitted that it was
only a rumor you heard in the Deaf community. Even though you doubted the
story, you chose to print the unsubstantiated story in your email to the
SLLING list.


To all concerned,

 I have had correspondance with a NZ sign linguist who have pointed out to me
that there was no substance to the rumor I sent to the SLLING list about an
"American SL researcher" insisting on American fingerspelling in NZ. Please
accept my apology for sending this story as it is only an unsubstantiated
rumor and was not intended to be a true account.

Sincerely,

Richard Arnold


PS
 It was NOT my intention at all to defame David McKee's academic "reputation"
and he should not be surprised about this. Most researchers should be aware
that rumors DO circulate among the Deaf Communities that they are involved
with and do their research in. This is basically a RISK that all linguistics
researchers have to take whenever entering any linguistic community whether
hearing or deaf. As such a researcher Mr McKee should have realised this risk
and be aware of it.

 I would like to apologise to Mr McKee for this misunderstanding, but I also
wish to point out that it was done unintentionally without any malice on my
part. Even though I had doubted the truth of this rumor nevertheless it was a
good example of the biases within a small community that feels threatened by
another culture and its world view being imposed on itself whether real or
imagined.

 I had only wished to point out in my previous comment about this, that there
are certain fears that occur within a linguistic community towards any
Americanisation processes that threaten that same linguistic community,
especially a small and not so powerful one.  American researchers in general
need to be careful as to not be seen as imposing their American cultural
values on other cultures, even if it is unintentional.

 As a foreigner living the USA I have come to notice that there is a typical
cultural ignorance that is very prevalent in the USA both among hearing and
deaf communities. Because of this American researchers and educators need to
deal with their cultural prejudices and learn to accept that there other world
viewpoints.

 Also I wish to rebut Mr McKee for threatening me with "libel" as this is
unwarranted and is a very unprofessional reaction. A simple request for a
retraction without any threatening words would have been sufficient.

 Thank you all for your understanding.

Regards,

Richard Arnold