I am reasonably fluent in sign, but never use it outside the home (My partner is a sign user), nor have I ever used an interpreter, I've been deaf 47 years and not wanted one, I either lip-read, speak, or get it written down. Only recently as my lip-reading is deteriorating with age, have I used any support, (that was a one off because of a legal issue), but it still isn't sign language, but palantype. To be honest, I never found that sign language was valid enough for me, as I like detail and found sign didn't provide the level I wanted and was used to.
sign like english or any language for that matter, can provide the amount of detail the user wishes. that detail is dependent on the users level of fluency ie the vocab among other things of the user, and that users will to attain it. re the language itself,.
ASL can actually state more things then english can, in different ways in different detail. more detail. ASL does convey more ideas and information then english ever can..after all you only have one mouth, you have two hands ten fingers and a very malleable face for asl, plus the actual world in three dimensional space we use in our language every day..alas a picture is worth a thousand words..anyone who ever thinks ASL doesn't have the capabilities to convey ideas on par with english or to use your words isnt "valid" enough for them doesn't know ASL fluently. your level of fluency is hardly reasonably well, if that's your idea. if you were fluent or reasonably fluent you would know exactly how ASL does provide the signer with the tools to convey details in very great detail if one chooses too.
in other words you finding ASL not "valid" enough only demonstrated your level of its acquisition.
when i state ASL is a powerful language capable of out performing english in a number of ways, again i should be clear that when it comes to languages any language, its the user of it and their skill which is the more important then the actual language being used. english like all auricular languages grants its users the capability to talk out both sides of yours mouths at the same time which is a neat trick, indeed politicians are notorious for that. ASL gives its user allot more..then english does. in our capability to convey ideas. when it comes down to it english is not up to standards.
oralist even know it...hence they're very real fear. they wont nor can they due to ideological constructs admit it. but they know it.
to use an example to try to illustrate a point. re fluency
someone who is fluent in english at a grade 4 level of reading comprehension is still using the same language as someone at a graduate level of english in a university. the language is the same. what is different is the users ability to tap the language for its resources to convey ideas. in more complex or subtle ways. depending on what is needed to be stated and understood. this capability is founded on a body of knowledge (for lack of a better term)each language contains ie its vocab these have to be constantly learned and used to access what they provide.
the user who doesn't attain a high vocab still is using a highly power language english, just not to that languages fullness. same goes re you and sign. i question how reasonably fluent you are in sign if you've never used it outside the home, nor have ever used an interpreter. where have you learned sign from? a language needs to be used with its users to gain true fluency...that is any language. period. and users is plural. i also want to stress native users. your not going to be fluent or reasonably fluent if your not signing with native signers. i'm not questioning that you use sign, i take your words for it, i'm stating your use of it only in your home with one human being is not really a measure of fluency..
your issue with sign isnt a deficiency re sign or ASL to be more specific. its your lack of acquiring its strengths and vocab to be able to tap ASLs strengths. ASL is more then "get me my tea" or "butter the toast" or change the tv' or "get me a shot"or answer there door" or any signs you can use in the home re the home. ...in all sorts of combinations granted
you admit you've never use sign outside the home, so i take it you found sign not "valid" for you in the home. that level of signing vocab is fairly low on the fluency scale to attain..
But basically, I never want to be reliant on any other person, to see a Dr, go to a hospital etc..I think many who have lost hearing have this at the back of their decision whether to sign or not. Using an interpreter would signal dependency and suggest you no longer have the ability yourself to communicate.
using an interpreter in any language doesn't signal dependency or suggests you no longer have the ability to communicate. using a terp signals the opposite. it signals that individual wishes to communicate in their own language. one they can use fully, to be understood and to understand..one hasnt lost anything..let alone the ability to communicate. i sign am, fluent and rarely use terps..because i rarely have too. when i do need them. ie when im dealing with the bugerment. i use them, the very act of using a terp states rather loud (pun intended) and clear we want to communicate and can communicate.
It is with some envy I see other deaf people with interpreters who don't see this at all, and believe it is something else, simple empowerment and a right.. This tends to show how the differences are between those who have always used interpreters and those who lose viable hearing and just won't. .
if someone sees they are in a better position and doing themselves a better favor by refusing to use a terp so be it. it doesn't make any statement at all re sign or ASL its just an individuals personal what ever...using a terp is certainly our right, that also doesn't state anything as to what ever differences you see between those who use terps and those who dont. how is it envy? if you see the Deaf using terps as doing themselves a disservice, or to use your words again to be more clear.
But basically, I never want to be reliant on any other person, to see a Dr, go to a hospital etc..I think many who have lost hearing have this at the back of their decision whether to sign or not. Using an interpreter would signal dependency and suggest you no longer have the ability yourself to communicate.
why envy us?
I do have a good speaking voice and never lost it when I went deaf, and speaking is still the main 'in' to communication for me, will I ever use sign full time/part time or a terp ? I don't think so.... One fact that bugs me is you really have to accept the 'Deaf' lifestyle (Culture/Community) approaches and integrate with them to get any real social advantage, and my 'roots' aren't there. I suppose Popeye put it best, I yam what I yam.
well that fact that bugs you about us, is a fact of life for any language and culture group. any.
if you don't want to accept our community and culture then why even be bugged by our wild and crazy idea that in order to be accepted by us one has to
shhhhh gosh shirk the thought...heavens forbid..
use our language...
if you are what you are..
why bother yourself with what others like us Deaf even do?
