use of sign language in Jordan

[Barbara O'Dea]

Two caveats:
1. Apparently I'm very blunt in my writing style, so let me say up front 
that I'm not judging anyone! I'm just responding with a few comments.
2. I recognize that the list may have already dealt with the issue of 
defining literacy in the past but.......

Steve, your definition of literacy as "reading and writing" can indeed 
be denied. You defined yourself as a "layman" and there is no doubt that 
the view of most people in society (and many people in academic circles 
as well) is that literacy is "reading and writing". In the field of 
literacy research, "reading and writing" is certainly one very large 
component, but still, just one component.

Differing definitions of literacy, in themselves, are not problematic; 
however, when less informed definitions are used by those in "power", 
problems can arise. Let's take the case of ASL being taught in a modern 
languages department at universities for example. For many years the 
narrow definition of literacy as "reading and writing" was used by by 
academics to justify the exclusion of ASL acquisition courses - 
afterall, if one cannot become "literate" in a language, cannot "read 
and write" the language, that language cannot be worthy of academic 
endeavour. And how about the English-speaking person with severe 
dyslexia who cannot read or write English but creates a poem or a novel 
for someone else to read and write? hmmmmm, is that person "literate"???

Okay, enough. odeeodee


Steve Slevinski wrote:

>
>
> Albert Bickford wrote:
>
>> Technically, SignWriting would be classified as a featural writing 
>> system, like Korean Hangeul (sic?), not an alphabet.  
>
>
> Hi Albert Bickford,
>
> I've read that Korean Hangul has a featural script, also called a 
> featural linear alphabet.  I'd say that SignWriting has a featural 
> hierarchical alphabet.
>
> Please explain why you don't consider SignWriting to be an alphabet.  
> It you want to use the term "featural hierarchical alphabet", that's 
> fine.  But as far as I know, there is no reason not to call the 
> SignWriting symbols an alphabet.
>
> The alphabet is an idea based in literacy that started in Ancient 
> Egypt. Alphabet means "alpha, beta".  It means ordered symbols for 
> writing.  Most of our language terms are biased towards hearing 
> because the language center of the brain for hearing people is wired 
> to the ear.  Modern day brain scans show that Deaf have their language 
> centers wired to their eyes, rather than their ears.
>
> Words mean things.  Literacy means the ability to read and write.  
> Literacy does not mean watching a video, listening to an audio tape, 
> or knowing history.  Real literacy (reading and writing) changes the 
> quality of the brain.  Real literacy is the result of this study.
>
> I hope we all realize that our terms are confused.  Many language 
> terms are biased towards language as spoken.
> These are laymen statements.  Not universal statements, but they are 
> true.
> "A language can be spoken or signed. "An alphabet is an ordered list 
> of symbols for writing."
> "Literacy is the ability to read and write language using a defined 
> alphabet."
> "Literacy improves the quality of the brain."
> "If you are literate in a language, you should be able to write using 
> paper and pencil."
>
> I know an expert can tear apart each and every statement above by 
> adding specialized terms and special qualifications.  But there is an 
> essence of truth that applies to the above 5 statements that can not 
> be denied.
>
> Sorry for a layman interruption,
> -Steve
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