01-17-2008, 08:53 PM
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#62 (permalink)
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Weapon of Mass Percussion
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 2,948
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This explains well the importance of English literacy.
Source: Options in Deaf Education-History, Methodologies, and Strategies for Surviving the System
Quote:
THE VALUE OF ENGLISH
Perhaps the most challenging issue that parents must meet head on is how to give their child access to a language which he has never heard. Indeed, it is difficult to have native ability in a language which one is not bombarded with daily. Why even bother? ASL is a perfectly acceptable language. It provides a good language base for a child. It is highly accessible and designed for the eyes. These are legitimate observations and good questions.
ASL is a perfect language, particularly for quick and easy communication among individuals who know the language. However, one of the drawbacks to having ASL as ones sole communication tool is that, to date, it does not have one generally accepted written form. The wonderful body of ASL literature has been passed down from one individual to the next in previous generations. Videotapes are now being used to record the wonderful visual poetry and stories shared by those who are members of Deaf Culture. Although individuals choose to remain a part of Deaf Culture, they still should have a means to access the body of literature from other cultures and times for their own edification. Without a written code to represent ASL, there is no way to transcribe the literature of other cultures into ASL aside from filming it. There is also no easy way of getting the vast body of general information available into ASL.
The other reason for learning English is one of practicality. English is the lingua franca of the land. Deaf children need to have the tools to become independent deaf adults. Some deaf children, but not all, will acquire the speech skills needed to communicate their desires within the larger society of hearing individuals. It is important to be able to clearly write if speaking is not an option. Writing and understanding English well are communication tools that will hopefully reap dividends when seeking employment as well.
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