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I want to explain why I don't think it's quite the same, people (foreigners in America) approaching us (fluent English speakers) for help.
There are a *whole* lot of us. And we get to talk to each other all the time. We have all kinds of luxuries we don't even realize we're enjoying just by not being in a minority in that particular sense. (We may individually be in other minorities or deal with other challenges, but that's another subject.)
There are *not* a whole lot of Deaf people (fluent ASL users), in comparisson. I think the ratio is something like 1:2,000. So if hearing asl user wanabees are out there trying to find a Deaf person to help them, Deaf people are probably getting that request a whole lot more frequently than most of us. Maybe some people are fine with it, I don't know, not my business. But if there's any stress involved, you can figure it's an order of magnitude greater for that reason alone.
Then think about the fact that you probably get to chat in English pretty much as much as you want. If you can find someone to talk to, you're probaby talking to them in English. Deaf people may not have that luxury, to get to use their primary language as much as they'd like. Not necessariy true for all Deaf people of course. Some work in Deaf schools or have lots of Deaf friends they see all the time, but some work in jobs surrounded by hearing people and only get to really fluently use their own language at Deaf events (if they can get to them) and VP conversations, etc. This might not be too much of an issue, unless you're interupting a conversation a Deaf person is having with another fluent ASL user, or if you're taking up alot of their time at a Deaf event when they might really rather get more time in with their friends they don't see enough.
There are a couple other privilege-related factors, but I think I'm going to hold off on that. You can get a head start though, by reading books on Deaf history, oralism, and the annoying hearing people stories thread here.
There are a *whole* lot of us. And we get to talk to each other all the time. We have all kinds of luxuries we don't even realize we're enjoying just by not being in a minority in that particular sense. (We may individually be in other minorities or deal with other challenges, but that's another subject.)
There are *not* a whole lot of Deaf people (fluent ASL users), in comparisson. I think the ratio is something like 1:2,000. So if hearing asl user wanabees are out there trying to find a Deaf person to help them, Deaf people are probably getting that request a whole lot more frequently than most of us. Maybe some people are fine with it, I don't know, not my business. But if there's any stress involved, you can figure it's an order of magnitude greater for that reason alone.
Then think about the fact that you probably get to chat in English pretty much as much as you want. If you can find someone to talk to, you're probaby talking to them in English. Deaf people may not have that luxury, to get to use their primary language as much as they'd like. Not necessariy true for all Deaf people of course. Some work in Deaf schools or have lots of Deaf friends they see all the time, but some work in jobs surrounded by hearing people and only get to really fluently use their own language at Deaf events (if they can get to them) and VP conversations, etc. This might not be too much of an issue, unless you're interupting a conversation a Deaf person is having with another fluent ASL user, or if you're taking up alot of their time at a Deaf event when they might really rather get more time in with their friends they don't see enough.
There are a couple other privilege-related factors, but I think I'm going to hold off on that. You can get a head start though, by reading books on Deaf history, oralism, and the annoying hearing people stories thread here.
) You have to imagine... Every single day, TONS of people just like you come to this site and others around on the net. They come and ask for assistance in learning ASL, with homework or various other tasks. This is a DAILY thing. Now, if you had a group of people coming to you every single day asking for help with the same thing over and over and over and over again simply because of a language you know or a skill you possess, wouldn't you get pretty peeved? Don't say you wouldn't.... because the same thing asked to anyone again and again and again and again over and over and over and over again would peeve anyone off. It gets old, quick. You're not introducing yourself just saying "Hey, my name is Bob ( whatever ) and I'm looking to meet new friends!" You're saying "Hey, my name is Bob ( whatever again ) and I'm very interested in ASL and Deaf culture and want to make Deaf friends!" See the difference? Meeting someone new out of the blue who is Deaf and befriending them is awesome. Going out seeking people for their Deafness because you're interested in them because of the culture and fact they're Deaf is totally different. It gets profoundly annoying... and fast. If you think you're anywhere near the top of the even 50% of people that have went seeking out Deaf / HoH ASL users for assistance in getting to know the culture / ASL, you're dead wrong. That's all that's being said. Yes, there are some Deafies out there who would help, but I can say that it won't be many.... I can also say that there are a lot of Deaf people who don't even affiliate with the hearing whatsoever. Just keep that stuff in mind before setting any expectations. I do wish you luck and everything in your new interest, just keep certain things in mind... that's all.
Definitely usually about severe disrespect though.
