A solemn sign

[Chase]

Politics aside, the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen are doing the best job they know how. Here is what some think is a new way to say thanks. It looks like a very old way to most of us.

The Gratitude Campaign

 

[Texan Guy]

I always do that everytimes I see the servicemen and women in the uniforms.

 

[Tousi]

Chase, this sign caused a furor among the deaf leadership in this country and I believe, if it hasn't already happened, the sign will be changed to be more appropriate.

 

[Chase]

Thanks for letting me know, Tousi, and I don't wonder. My first thoughts were why re-invent the wheel? I'll try to find more on the controversy. It's too bad it's just one more point of contention putting service men and women in the middle.

 

[Tousi]

I'll look, too, Chase....

 

[Tousi]

rays of raychelle: THANKS, Scott!

Chase, this post/blog is probably the final one; if you look to the left, you can find all of the blogs related to this issue from the beginning (all occured this past December so you don't have to go all over creation to find them).

 

[Texan Guy]

More importantly, do you appericate to the men and women in the uniforms for serving their country when you see them, Tousi?

 

[Tousi]

More importantly, do you appericate to the men and women in the uniforms for serving their country when you see them, Tousi?

Of course I do, Texan; since I am HoH and can speak well, I make it a point, when I am out and about in the community, to personally thank those I see in uniforms and the older guys with the various military insignias on their caps. I make it simple; I walk to the person(s) and say, "Thank you very much for your service to our country; it's deeply appreciated.". That's it; sometimes, especially with the older men, we talk for a while about where they served, etc.

The ASL people just wanted to get the right sign. Did you read the blog (s) by Raychelle? Do you use ASL? What did you think of the sign?

 

[Chase]

First, I do as Tousi. I approach people in uniform. I tell them I'm a veteran and deaf, then say and sign, "Thank you." Many respond with variations of ASL "You're welcome." If some have time, we shoot the breeze.

As to the controversy. I understand it, but I think it's a tempest in a teapot. All people take up handsigns, and few even think about ASL when they do.

Close to this instance are military combat signs and signals.

Common civilian signs mimicking ASL but are mere coincidence are . . .

Thumbs up. Our sign for ten, but means "all right" or "way to go" to most hearies.

Our F hand. Hearies use it for "Okay."

Our R hand. Hearies use it for "I hope" or "good luck."

Ha ha ha, when I was in Germany, I used the T hand for something, and a man told me that was a local sign the same as showing the middle finger.

The list goes on and on. If everyone had to check with the king and queen of ASL, then they'd also need to okay signs with all the different native tribes whose sign languages predate ASL.

 

[Tousi]

Good post, Chase but the ASL proponents are pretty protective of the language and, what ensued, I felt, was appropriate, quick, and settled amicably and respectfully and in such a short time, that, across the board, has not harmed what the Gratitude Campaign folks are doing.

 

[Chase]

I do understand protecting and preserving a language. Many English instructors are in the same boat.

We know it's the calling of writers to push the envelope, stretch any language to new meanings, make it new, make it grow.

But so its users don't recreate the Tower of Babel, many of us in the trenches try to keep explaining the basic rules and their reasons for being there in the first place are so all readers present and future have a better chance to understand.

My sister will be 71 this coming groundhog's day (the resemblance is only coincidental). For all those years, she's kept to ASL. Only since I've been a member here have I understood her reasons more fully. I get my hands slapped when I mess up and SEE to her, ha ha ha.

 

[Texan Guy]

.The ASL people just wanted to get the right sign. Did you read the blog (s) by Raychelle? Do you use ASL? What did you think of the sign?

I use SEE most of the times, and I thought that sign means "appreciate."

 

[Babyblue]

It is not really a matter of it being ASL or what. These guys fought for us and they understand what it means. So you can sign it in ASL or the way they signed it from the chest out. It means a lot to these guys. Any gesture or saying to say you appreciate them means the world to them.

 

[Tousi]

I use SEE most of the times, and I thought that sign means "appreciate."

I have seen two signs. I don't know which one you saw but the one I saw means, "willing" in ASL.

 

[Texan Guy]

I have seen two signs. I don't know which one you saw but the one I saw means, "willing" in ASL.

I don't see 2 different signs. Guess I'll have to learn ASL more since I sign in SEE too much. heh

 

[Tousi]

I don't see 2 different signs. Guess I'll have to learn ASL more since I sign in SEE too much. heh

Lol, by that I mean I saw another sign for the same thing somewhere else and have been trying to find it but no luck so far.....maybe tomorrow....