You are right... English is majority language in America. But soon will be overtaken by Spanish language if we are not careful. Its already majority in California as we types these message.
I want to emphasize that English is very important language to learn regardless deaf or hearing. I have found many hearing people cannot write well as I can when I ask questions. Education is not created equal for all individual. Deaf have huge disadvantage because of lacking ability to hear. Even cochlear cannot help some deaf individual.
However, I would like to say Primary language ASL but must know English as 2nd language. And continue add 3rd or 4th languages such as Spanish or next popular language in America as good way to build up language foundation.
I wouldn't exclude English or Spanish out of list of languages deaf should learn. We don't have choice but learn English immediately in order to survive hearing world. But we do have choice of learning ASL for our culture and identity purpose. Its up to deaf individual to have ASL as their primary language. ASL is my primary language at home as my wife is deaf. My work requires me to use English as writing emails between all co-workers. I work 99.9% with hearing in Mortgage industrial. Only two deaf co-worker with me but I don't work with them directly. So in order to survive my mortgage work force, I must know English to communicate. I am not using any Spanish skills but if I come across Spanish writers, then I will work with them and it wouldn't be easy doing it.
You said it was easy to learn Spanish, and now you're saying it's hard to use Spanish. ZZZ
In the world, English is taught howevertheless, it is the people that takes in the language, some rejects it like most deaf people do. "I don't need to learn the grammar or structure, because I can sign clearly and big to my interpreter and she/he'll speak for me." Horrible perspective of A deaf person. You see, most deaf people tend to RELY on things such as relay, tdd, interpreter, and their friends with talents.
You say that WE MUST LEARN ENGLISH, you are wrong, we are given a choice, most people I know can SPEAK the language, but write and read, not too well. I'm saying people as in HEARING, DEAF, BLIND, AND WHATEVER IS ELSE. It's actually individual that learns the language in different perspective, like you, Deaf Mort, you believe that we can live with english as a "second language" but then when we stop using it, we'll lose that ability. I know because I went to Gallaudet for a year and I've been using signs 24/7, but when I came back home, I lost my ability to speak, write, and read english.
Like I said, it depends on individuals.
By the way, is "FUCK" english?
