This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
What do you think about the future of the sign language?
I miss on your talk the point, the sign languages.
I think, the sign language is a very important part of the languages.
For the deaf people, there isn't another choice to use the sign language.
Now I would be interest to know,
on the one hand, why we have so many difference sign languages worldwide.
(It happened the same way as with the spoken languages, or?)
On the other hand, the deaf people are able to use the international signs (this is not a really own language), so there are no barriers between them.
Why it is possible with the International Signs?
It seems there aren't so big difference on the signs and cultures but with the spoken languages we (wanted) have it.
I miss some logic here.
Is this possible for the "spoken" languages on the "same" way as with the International Signs?
How do you think about the future of the sign language for to get our worldwide cooperation? Could this a possible solution for all of us?
Mateusz Jaszak 10+
Arvind Kuril
Patrick Hennings
Simone Lackerbauer 100+
I think the future of sign language for the communication between deaf and non-deaf people rather lies in HUD glasses or similar displays (e.g. on smart phones) with sophisticated software that automatically records voice and displays it as text, the possibility of automated translation included. As for communication between deaf people, I think sign language remains a powerful instrument, but that does not answer the question of translating different sign languages. Frankly, I wasn't even aware of the fact that there are different dialects in sign language based on cultural contexts, but it of course makes a lot of sense: so yes, I think it is the cultural context that helped create sign language dialects, just like it helped create spoken language dialects and proverbs.
You could compare international signs to one of the big international languages (most likely Chinese and English): people in the Western hemisphere know at least some English and younger generations have a lot more English classes at school, communicate in increasingly globalized contexts etc.. I don't think English is the answer (as I said, Chinese and a few other languages need to be kept in mind as well), but language education is gaining ever more importance, so we might have the answer in a few decades, generations, or centuries.
Comment deleted
Simone Lackerbauer 100+
Patrick Hennings
Simone Lackerbauer 100+
Amirpouya Ghaemiyan 50+
And you can imagine that environment by watching the animation "The Lost Thing".
But, you know, I`m a TED translator and I really enjoy translating and learning the proverbs and philosophy of making the words (etymology) in other languages (I know Arabic a little, too) and I am really sad about my country losing its beautiful accents.
I think popularizing the sign language (the unique one in whole of the world) does not worth to losing our beautiful languages and accents.
Robert Winner 50+
Terry Torok 100+
Comment deleted
Terry Torok 100+
Grant Sutton
Comment deleted
Grant Sutton
tishe Hires 10+
Terry Torok 100+
So to think of your question... my thought would be... more general use of sign language... could benefit all of us, and provide more access to communicate across disabilities, language barriers and borders... and take on a new respectful art forum...
James Altimare Jr.
Like Astra stated sometimes she can get all hands and feet body moving trying to convey a message. And theres nothing wrong with displaying such enthusiasm about something, at times but when its something simple im sure it can be very frustrating.
So my thoughts are, with a smart pad, via texting , an art app for those pictures worth a thousand words, and a sophisticated real time translating teleprompter we could create something completely universal for the whole world to use.
Richard Krooman 50+
Probably with a device that records the incomming sounds and then patches that through to the brain.
Patrick Hennings
Otherwise, if you think, we would not use a very special language, then this is a discrimination. Have you enough experience to know how good the sign language for high level thinking?
And, there are lot of jobs hearing people would be happy to use signs instead of to have to cry so they would become deaf with the time.
And don't forget, that more and more people are becoming deaf. It is a fairytale to think that technology can replace everything too one hundred per cent!
And a person who thinks we do not need a certain culture which is already ancient. These are the people who provide cultural tensions first under each other.
I, however, try a way to think where like cultures can connect with each other.
Your comment nevertheless thanks you for. So one can see how some people are and why we would need more time for the worldwide tolerance.
Richard Krooman 50+
Science even shows that if you put a device which turns sounds into fibrating motion attached to a person who became deaf not too long ago the audiotory part of the brain will actually recognize that these motions are sounds and start to learn how to interpret what is being said. (seen that on a research program on dutch tv not too long ago)
So "deafness" will die out and with that probably also the need for sign language.
If you think sign language can serve as a purpouse to bridge cultures then theres a reason for it not to die out. I must say I never regarded this as an option... probably because I don't know the benefits of sign language.
At least that's my opinion on the matter.
I personally see it more like all people will learn the same language to communicate more freely. At the moment almost all people are able to talk either chineese / spanish / english. And there are large tendencies for people to learn chineese and english.
Patrick Hennings
I think perhaps we talk round the thing/matter.
It is all about the argumentation of Mark who holds the opinion, that there was a "uniform" language sometimes, that this, however, has defamiliarized itself into different subcultures with the time. So it has happened also in Chinese. It no uniform gives Chinese, what there too enormous cultural problem leads. So we have a lot of tensions in Europe, flat because of the many different languages there in China.
Here in the forum "Gestuno" (International signs) was mentioned.
Developing a new uniform language unlike the hearing after the last World War in Europe with the sound languages which had a try sometimes. This brilliant project has failed, however, because people just didn't want to give up their language. The new language should be only an addition. Perhaps there is a new chance not only in Europe? The fear consists well mainly that with the task of the sound language of one's own the relationship to the nationality could be lost.
I am German by birth. And I accepted English as a skin language without feeling then less than German. Since then, I rather feel as an European. Because I know that I use a language with which I far come in Europe.
At that time, so I could settle down fast in Canada because I could already speak English good, but I never saw the nations England or the USA. However, but I consider English a certain instrument for the worldwide one in English.
Why I think so, perhaps because I am deaf?
Yes, the deaf people are much rather ready to learn "Gestuno". Because the deaf people do not think about into a national level-crossing barrier, like the hearing. We really could so far learn very much from them. "Gestuno" is so far a very important instrument for a slighter communication between all nations anyway. Flat if it does not create a spoken language, then the "worse" alternative like "Gestuno".
Richard Krooman 50+
From your last post I can see that you value the ability to talk to all people higher than just talking to those you see on a regular basis. And for that you seem to look for an international language which all people understand. To get to this you first turn to sign language which I think is because it is closest to you. For me english or dutch would be the languages I'd rate highly here.
English and Spanish have also crossed many borders. Many people all around the world know these languages. The thing with (spoken) language however is that in general it is hard to learn. So many people can speak 2 languages but hardly anyone can speak more than 5.
Language spreads due to which people want to communicate with eachother. For instance western europe will learn their native language and after that usualy learn English because our economies are closely tied and our 'political focus' has usualy been towards the USA.
I think that eventually however, facillitated by the internet, people will cluster together who have similar interrests and they will 'form their own language'. Which is already happening if you look at "sms language" or "l33t 5p34k" or "internet slang".
I think that we've already started the process which will lead to a global language, but we're just taking the firsts steps in getting there. In my eyes however this language *should be* more closely related to English than to sign language.
tishe Hires 10+
Patrick Hennings
So we should to ask how is it possible to have deaf professors then?
tishe Hires 10+
Parents teach the basics to their babies. Eat, finished, potty and YEA! That is the basic sign language! ( I know this, because I babysit for a living ) Sign language, is not for babies! You know this, I know it! A deaf professor, could pull it it off! ( with her or his eyes closed! ) :) With Respect to ya!
Sarah Timberman
All sign languages are so different. I'm fluent in ASL but when I moved to Okinawa I struggled to learn Okinawan sign because so much of it was based on their japanese culture (ie the days of the month were based on historical/cultural activities performed on each day, rather than the first letter of the day as in ASL).
There is a book written about a deaf woman who knew ASL and moved to a new country and how she thought it would be so easy to communicate with the deaf community there, but found how isolating it was because they really had no signs in common and it was extremely difficult for her to learn the new language. Just because you know one sign language doesn't mean you can easily learn another.
American Sign Language is very different even around the US, based on the part of the country you're from. Each has it's own special dialects, or accents. The east coast tends to sign extremely quickly compared to the other sections of the US. Some signs are strictly culture based and someone from a different background would be lost.
No sign language will ever be truly considered an international language. There are too many variables for it to be successful. You may be able to get by with pidgin signs, but that's not an actual language.
Patrick Hennings
Yes, sure, this is the matter there are "same" differences as with the spoken languages.
But I got the experience how easy is it to use the internationals signs. So please how it is possible?
Sarah Timberman
The idea behind even teaching an international pidgin language of any kind is nearly impossible. You would have to have a huge group of people not only trained to speak the language perfectly, but train them to teach the language. Then transport these people all around the world so that everyone has the opportunity to learn it. What about the people who are no longer in a structured educational environment? How would you reach them to teach them this language? Would it be grandfathered into the school system? Just start with a particular age group and begin teaching all the children from then on?
You could never sustain the momentum that it would take to even begin an endeavor like that. Ease of use has nothing to do with the politics and logistics of implementing an international language. Is it intellectually possible for most people to learn one particular set of pidgin? Yes, but the implementation is not.
Patrick Hennings
Is, however, the philosophy to develop a language, where everyone must learn this one the interesting. Having to submit as a compromise without himself opposite another culture. Everyone having to together learn her if they want to communicate uniformly if possible over the limits.
Just till now, what the hearing didn't make, "Gestuno" was started with of the deaf people. I already learned for the first time this "language" 40 years ago. And, to this day, "Gestuno" has already developed further.
"New" language has to be developed on an international basis very with difficulty, however one, she develops. I think this is only possible because there just are people who think over the limits. And I wish that such a philosophy really gives also among hearing people.
I think that it is possible also for the hearing.
I could make myself sometimes a project where everybody had to learn together a new language. Everybody had big fun because the sense of achievement was so big. Everybody felt understood enough, and thus itself rather with each other linked, in spite of different own languages.
It is not just enough to use the language of the other only from politeness. Also adult people are like children, they always want what for themselves.
Pablo Fernández Sierra
I am not an expert, but I will dream a littel bit:
1) The sign language could be used as first "baby words". I have a Baby and in the first week you can teach him to get out the tonge. After a par months you can teach him to move the hand showing "come here" and "hello/bye". So maybe you can teach the baby to do the eat and the drink sign (an easy one). (And of course, the baby fast use of the language will open a new world, better care and a faster brain development).
2) The languages is a nationalistic thema, a change-cost and a barrier benefit vs comon language benefit. This Emotional part has created big problems, but it should not be a big problem in the small sign-language comunity (small in comparison with the overall population). If there is a political will to change the "oficial" sign teaching language, it can be done.
3) At the end, the language learning influencies come from three points:
- The access environment (contact with the languages),
- the usefulnes (direct interest) and
- the emotional link to the language.
So the sign language will remain as a side languages. But if it provides the first baby words, an international last resource-language and a languages for deaf persons, enougth interest can be aroused.
4) There is no sin outside inertia to have different sign languages, so if political emotions are not a problem, it can be change worldwide with the gobernment support. An language improvement should be implemented with base in one of the main sign languages, with special care to the first baby words (tonge, diaper, eat, drink, pain, hello, bye, love, I, you, that/there/to point), and extended baby words (useful words that can be easely learned by a baby before the first year).
5) The language schould be structurated with 5 levels: a)baby first words, b)baby extended/beginers (), c)middle level, d)advanced and e)teacher. Every level has a usefulnes and a "users target" a)=babies and families, b) teached to the students..
Patrick Hennings
http://youtu.be/9kfcHopyM0M
Viet Dung Pham 20+
Patrick Hennings
tishe Hires 10+
Mary M. 100+
tishe Hires 10+
Patrick Hennings
tishe Hires 10+
Mary M. 100+
I have friends that are deaf and when they see me their whole face lights up. They hug and hold me as if to say "look at you, I'm so glad to see you, can't get enough of you".......the encounters are always amazing....One of my dear friends who is deaf cannot sign. She grew up in a time and a place where that was not available to her. We find a way to communicate none the less.
I will share a story with you, I think you will like it:
Many years back a Russian elderly woman started attending the congregation where a friend of mine attends. Noone would approach the elderly woman, because she would come in, sit in a corner, and not mingle. My friend, who is very social, walked up to her, and discovered the language barrier...but that did not stop her. She quickly took her home after the service, and they shared a meal. On a separate occassion my friend's husband invited the Russian lady to accompany them to a Mexican restaurant....where she fell in love with the Mariachi players.
The most amazing part of hearing my friend tell the story, is that once, some other members of the congregation walk up to my friend and ask her "could you please translate this message to her?".....they wanted my friend to translate what they were saying to the Russian lady...My friend started to laugh and said, I don't speak Russian. I talk to her using the language of love.....You should try it.
I have never forgotten this experience, it taught me a great life lesson.
When we love our fellow humans, there is no communication barrier.....All things are possible.
Don't you think so Tishe?
Be Well, I have enjoyed reading your comments.
Christine McKenzie
Patrick Hennings
Astra Singh 20+
You have several questions but I will address the first one: ‘What do you think about the future of sign language?’
It may be that sign language is becoming more obsolete. Not saying it will become unnecessary. This may be due to a variety of developments in technology.
Let me explain. About 12 years ago I learned Sign Language to be able to communicate with a few hearing impaired friends of mine. (It was Dutch SL but also with Surinamese specific signs and part International Signs.) Not being fluent I often also mixed this with signs of my own that were moment-inspired and you can imagine sometimes I was all hands, feet and body-moving trying to bring across my message :) Because over the years owning a mobile phone has become a new normal and texting has become so easy, many of our talks now… are mostly supported by texts. So we hardly use sign language with each other now. One friend mentioned that he sometimes also uses this method with his fellow hearing impaired friends.
I think that developments with respect to speed in conversion of speech to text and sign language to text, also developments in hearing aids, and medical advancements in ear, nose, throat research may lead to less necessity to use sign language.
Regards,
Astra
Patrick Hennings
thanks for your opinion!
I think it is inconsistent.
Because, in spite of all techniques is the sign language are not less. On the contrary, it is perhaps even more important.
Mark says that it originally was once a common language. And out of the enumerated grounds, a variety found in the spoken languages, same if the sign languages.
But why can the deaf communicate better? They think in the language with the body. And why will they be enough to never use the technology. And I know there are more and more hearing people who miss more and more the language of the body. I think it must relate to the actual origins of our language together.
This could also explain why there are more people who are bored open, as the wish to seal themselves from "foreign" cultures.
Best regards
Patrick
lesley murray
Adriaan Braam 20+
Patrick Hennings
tishe Hires 10+
Patrick Hennings
Here I want only ask if there is chance with a "language-tool" to find a better way to get all of us closer.
tishe Hires 10+
Mary M. 100+
countries. I always assumed that sign language was just one language for the deaf.
How interesting, your idea...It would be nice if the entire world spoke one language, and we were all
united and there would be no misunderstandings due to language barrier.
Well, let's see what others say on this matter. Great question!!!
Be Well, Mary
tishe Hires 10+
Patrick Hennings
When the deaf people could be able for this why not then also we all? :)