Is it offensive to sign in public?

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Ely599

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Ok well basically I am hearing and I've been signing for four years now and my bestfriend and I took ASL together in high school. We would sign everywhere we went so we could practice at anytime. One day in Target, we were signing off and on and laughing and talking and this girl came up and said "my dads deaf and he finds it offensive when hearing people sign and they arent helping a deaf person" and it seems odd to me because we want to become interpreters and I'm wondering how anyone is supposed to learn if they cant sign without a deaf person present. My teacher is deaf and he was outraged that someone would get mad about that.
We went to Washington school for the deaf and only the top three people in the class could go and my friend and I were chosen. For three days we participated in a program where we could expand our knowledge and were not able to speak. We were complimented on how well we sign and our use of facial expressions. I don't think a whole school would allow this program of hearing students to be able to come if they found it offensive but I'd like to hear from others. What do you think? Is it offensive if a hearing person signs in public when Deaf arent around?
 
I have never found it offensive for ANYONE to sign in public. If hearing people can't sign in public, then may a higher being, if there is one, strike me down for speaking in anything other than Canadian English when I am around hearing people.

Oh, bloody... I hope I don't get struck down. That would be like half of everyday day for the rest of my life!
 
Ely599 said:
Ok well basically I am hearing and I've been signing for four years now and my bestfriend and I took ASL together in high school. We would sign everywhere we went so we could practice at anytime. One day in Target, we were signing off and on and laughing and talking and this girl came up and said "my dads deaf and he finds it offensive when hearing people sign and they arent helping a deaf person" and it seems odd to me because we want to become interpreters and I'm wondering how anyone is supposed to learn if they cant sign without a deaf person present. My teacher is deaf and he was outraged that someone would get mad about that.
We went to Washington school for the deaf and only the top three people in the class could go and my friend and I were chosen. For three days we participated in a program where we could expand our knowledge and were not able to speak. We were complimented on how well we sign and our use of facial expressions. I don't think a whole school would allow this program of hearing students to be able to come if they found it offensive but I'd like to hear from others. What do you think? Is it offensive if a hearing person signs in public when Deaf arent around?
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No, it is not offensive. I feel that your dad finds it offensive because he may have been left out when hearing people don't tell him what is being said. Since ASL is another language, such a justification falls down on itself when you consider the fact that there are relatively few deaf people that know ASL and Deaf culture. It is extremely important that hearing people learn ASL because it also helps them when they need it.
 
I wouldn't think it would be offensive at all! Should we not speak Spanish without a Hispanic person with us? Or speak German without a German person with us? ASL is simply another language. That girl was just silly.

I think most hearing persons are learning ASL because they want to be able to interact with those who are Deaf (and it's such a beautiful language!) If we can't practice it to learn it, how will we ever get better at it? Heck! If I had seen ya, I would've come up to you and tried signing with you! :smile:
 
I don't find it offensive. I think that's neat for hearing people to sign in public. It's a great exposure for others to see it and get use to it eventually.
 
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No Offensive!!

My Bf's hearing parent is practice sign everywhere!! Even At casino too! :giggle:


You and your friend.. :thumb:
 
No I do not find it offensive at all. Actually I would find it exciting to see hearing people signing among each other. :)
 
Not at all that I would find it offensive. I would only find it offensive if hearing people mocks at my signs. ;)
 
no it's not


i do laugh at the hearing people that mistake the thank you sign is the offensive gesture of bring the hand forward under the chin (f.o.)
 
C.C.Sinned said:
no it's not


i do laugh at the hearing people that mistake the thank you sign is the offensive gesture of bring the hand forward under the chin (f.o.)
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:lol: Oh yeah it's a commonly mistake that hearing people make.
 
Nope. I don't find that offensive as long as they want to learn or say. :)
 
I don't find it offensive to practice and communicate in sign language in public. Your engaging in conversation to sharpin your skills and signs. I agree, with OP its like speaking Spanish, French etc for the better.
I remember, practicing my French where in area there is nothing French to practice with. I think, my neighbors thought I was psycho for speaking French to my cat LOL
Hey, it worked at earned B+ in the class!
 
I would rather have the hearing people sign or at least learn to sign and make mistakes because they are learning.

It is better than those hearing people that just stare at us brazenly and know they are staring at us.

Yesterday I was with friends signing and there was an older man just staring at us, half hour passed of him staring at us, I looked at him. Eye to eye contact and signed.. "Hello, deaf you? Sign you? Finish look!" The man was startled and first thing he did was "oh umm umm" he giggled and avoided eye contact and then start to glare left and right.

I encourage people to sign, make mistakes all you want as it is called learning.
 
Of course not...sign away!! It is a free country. :)
 
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