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1. Engage in conversation, not a lesson.
You are encouraged to chat with Deaf people outside class. Introduce yourself, ask about shared interests and respond to what they say. Avoid repeatedly asking someone to teach you signs, explain grammar or assess your signing.
You are encouraged to chat with Deaf people outside class. Introduce yourself, ask about shared interests and respond to what they say. Avoid repeatedly asking someone to teach you signs, explain grammar or assess your signing.
2. Respect sociolinguistic differences.
Respect sociolinguistic differences. SgSL varies across signers, generations and communities. A sign you see outside class may differ from the one you learnt. Do not correct a Deaf person’s signing or treat one signer as a test of what you learnt. You can note the variation and ask your instructor about it later. In class, use the forms your instructor teaches while recognising that real community language is diverse.
Respect sociolinguistic differences. SgSL varies across signers, generations and communities. A sign you see outside class may differ from the one you learnt. Do not correct a Deaf person’s signing or treat one signer as a test of what you learnt. You can note the variation and ask your instructor about it later. In class, use the forms your instructor teaches while recognising that real community language is diverse.
3. Be mindful of the effort you ask of others.
Deaf people often adapt to hearing people’s ways of communicating in everyday life. Deaf community spaces offer a chance to communicate more freely. Try to follow the flow of conversation. It is okay to ask for clarification, but avoid expecting others to slow down, repeat everything or explain each sign for you.
Deaf people often adapt to hearing people’s ways of communicating in everyday life. Deaf community spaces offer a chance to communicate more freely. Try to follow the flow of conversation. It is okay to ask for clarification, but avoid expecting others to slow down, repeat everything or explain each sign for you.
4. Understand why Deaf spaces matter.
For many years, hearing people and institutions made decisions about Deaf people’s language and communities without giving Deaf people a say. This is one reason some Deaf people may be cautious around hearing participants. Give people time to get to know you, and respect how the community chooses to use its space.
For many years, hearing people and institutions made decisions about Deaf people’s language and communities without giving Deaf people a say. This is one reason some Deaf people may be cautious around hearing participants. Give people time to get to know you, and respect how the community chooses to use its space.
5. Keep conversations accessible.
If you are with other hearing learners, avoid switching to spoken language while Deaf people are part of the conversation. Sign what you can, and use writing or other ways to clarify when needed.
If you are with other hearing learners, avoid switching to spoken language while Deaf people are part of the conversation. Sign what you can, and use writing or other ways to clarify when needed.
6. Keep building your SgSL skills.
Use the SgSL structures you have learnt in class, and keep practising them. Some Deaf people may use English-influenced signing or switch between signing styles depending on the situation. Respect these differences without assuming that English word order is the default for SgSL. Follow the flow of the conversation and ask for clarification when needed.
Use the SgSL structures you have learnt in class, and keep practising them. Some Deaf people may use English-influenced signing or switch between signing styles depending on the situation. Respect these differences without assuming that English word order is the default for SgSL. Follow the flow of the conversation and ask for clarification when needed.
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