Ok. Like I said before, many of us already know the benefits of ASL but what many people have not really touched upon at all is the risks of using ASL. Yesterday I blogged about the AB2072 bill with its new language regarding the risks and benefits of each communication option in the bill which raised the question exactly what would the risks be for an ASL communication option (i.esigning option)? It's like during an interview you give everything positive about yourself but the table gets turned when the interviewer asks you to describe the negative part about yourself. This is exactly what I was getting at in my blog yesterday. Nothing puzzling about it. It just raises new questions on the "risk" part of ASL in the AB2072 bill that requires that information in a future pamphlet for parents of babies born with a hearing loss.
Let's help with the "risk" part for this future pamphlet on the ASL option for parents of babies born with a hearing loss. Tell the readers here in the comment section on what those risks may be. Please, no descriptions or comments on the advantages or benefits for ASL since we already know that. What I and many others are interested in are the risks description part. I will use my descretion as a moderator to include only comments that discuss the "risk" part of the ASL communication option (i.e. signing). I will also delete comments that do not follow my request. You've been warned! Discuss only the risk part, please.
Let's the commenting start!
ADDENDUM: No "jokey" risk comments, too. Just as the AB2072 would request risks and benefits for oral or other communication options as part of the information packet in a pamphlet so will the outline be required for the ASL option, too, on risks and benefits. The focus here is on "risks."
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
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21 comments:
What do you mean risks for ASL? You mean ASL may cause their arms amputated? ASL may cause their brain shrink? ASL may cause them not learning English? Your question is non sense. I have not met a soul who shared about their risks when using ASL. Have you? What did they say? Tell us stories. Mike, get a grip! stop being bullshit! You use ASL and you know the truth to it. Please! Why are you so bitter man? seek help and it will do you wonder.
Penny
Again, we already know about the benefits, the AB2072 bill request specifically on the risks and benefits from each communication option to be included in a future pamphlet.
Nothing about bitter here just asking the question what are the risks part here?
Calm down, Penny.
Possible lack of continue education on sign language for Parent of deaf baby and child to continue communicate to their baby/child. Just like what i go through.
Left by deafnet
The risks of using ASL is basically the risk of attaining English proficiency and when that happens there are more risks involved in being able to succeed in the world at large. There are employers who will go to such lengths to accommodate those who lack English, yet, the opportunities are not prevalent. Many deaf people will agree with that. Either that or they're lying.
When parents look at opportunities for their child, they need to take this into consideration and many do. There are limited opportunities for ASL signing deaf in the world at large, more so than those who do not rely on sign language. It's a fact. Even though I do believe deaf people can do anything but hear, this is the cold, hard truth.
Mike-
For three years now...I have never seen you stand up for our community...not even once. Now you are asking us what are risks for ASL. Why don't you share with us what are risks for ASL? This question matches to your thinking and opinions about our community for three years now. It is ok to disgree from time to time but all the times---three years...nothing positive about our community. Hope next blog you will say something good about our community. Will you? :-)
Penny
This is about risks, not benefits folks. We already know about the benefits. What hasn't been discussed are the risks. Again, I retain the right to moderate this comment to discuss "risk."
As for Penny, this isn't about me. This blog is about risk and I'm raising the questoin here. If you cannot follow my request then I'd be forced to delete comments.
Wow! since you brought up this subject...I am curious what are risks for ASL? It is your question to the public but can you share your opinion with us what you think risks are for ASL? Or am I not allowed to ask you this question at all? As for me...there is absolutely no risks for ASL. Concur?
Penny
I asking the public. I'm sure many readers are curious to what these "risks" are. As for me, I'm keeping it to myself.
One risk with ASL is that to communicate with hearing ppl, be it in a mainstreamed classroom with a hearing teacher, a job interview, important meetings in one's place of employment, a professional appointment such as a doctor's office or a lawyer's office, an emergency in a hospital, and other situations, the services of an interpreter is often required for someone whose primary language is ASL or other sign language. That's the downside of ASL, as the ADA is not very well enforced, as professionals and institutions continue to flout this law.
I'm not saying this as a naysayer to sign language, as I believe it has a place as one of the several options available to parents.
The independence and ease of communication with hearing ppl is a factor many hearing parents take into consideration when making a decision on communication method/ language for their deaf child. This is where ASL is a risk to take. The hearing world is a given, and this is something deaf ppl cannot ignore entirely.
Ann_C
Just like with anything, there will be risks involved. Nothing is perfect. It is important to talk about the possible risks involved.
The biggest risks would be whether or not the child will be exposed to good sign language models or fluent ASL on a consistent basis.
Pipe down Penny. Read carefully what is written before you come charging in with your assumptions.
(e
Risks of ASL? That's a very interesting question. Too bad people don't discuss the risks of Spanish, Navajo, or other foreign languages. I would like to see a debate on that.
Anyhow, I do think one small risk of using ASL is that you might become the target of ridicule, oppression and discrimination. You're making it clear you're a minority, and all minorities have experienced these things in one shape or form.
Society does not like minorities, and generally speaking, it'll try to make people conform at all costs. That's the risk of using ASL. Dare to be true to yourself, and pay the price for not conforming.
The risks in selecting ASL option are no difference than those risks in using any other communication options.
Regardless of which communication options parents selected, if any pre-lingual deaf child didn't acquire adequate language cognitive skill before the age of 5 or any 5 years old deaf child who cannot clearly express in ASL, Oral, SEE, English, Spanish, or whatever language its perception, reasoning and feelings, the risks are about the same for all communication options.
It is parent’s responsibility to expose their pre-lingual deaf child to a constant rich language environment until the child reaches the school age before age 6.
If the pre-lingual child fails to reach an adequate language cognitive skill at the age of 6, his/her language processing part of the brain will more likely be permanently atrophied for life.
(e said “The biggest risks would be whether or not the child will be exposed to good sign language models or fluent ASL on a consistent basis.”
I don’t think the risk is depending whether or not the child will be exposed to good sign language models or being exposed to fluent ASL on a consistent basis because I know a deaf family, whose parents were educated oralists and make up their own “home make” sign language on a consistent basis with their deaf and hearing kids -– their kids ending up mastering in English (from reading and writing) and ASL/PSE (from the deaf community – deaf club, sporting events, etc) far better than many deaf kids who came from uneducated deaf ASL signing fluid grassroots.
No Deaf child uses ASL alone. ASL/Written English would be more accurate.
How can a bona fide language itself be bad? People have different values on languages, based on their cultural mores, but this doesn't indicate that a particular language itself is 'risky'. English is highly valued here since the majority uses it. We do have some Spanish speaking people here, though Spanish is a language of a minority. Does that make Spanish "risky"? It's also the language of the majority in certain countries.
Canada embraces Quebec as a French speaking entity, though the majority of Canadians uses English up there. It doesn't reduce the importance of the French language in Quebec or elsewhere. Latin is a
"dead" language, yet it's taught in countless schools.
The concerns are the accessibility of a language itself to the Deaf child and whether it is used by others or not.
odd question but try it. i never seeing any kind of job to asking about negative part of. well i would say maybe lack of communicate or written english for a hearing people whoever the work. i think it sucks, do u think? and risk for asl options -whoa! its tough for a hearing job to learning ASL as MUST, without voice or what? i wonder if i am wrong? (shrug) i dunno so i am curious whats your answer? i am so excite to hear! =o)
gee there is a risk you just might become a successful, satisfied and happy person using asl. There is also the risk of meeting other ppl who use asl, thus finding someone who has something in common with you.
Risk is when your choices could lead to good or bad results.
It would be more interesting and helpful to know if you are personally a good risk taker or a poor risk taker.
ASL option risks: Family:
Family needs to be willing to be proactive in learning ASL to effectively communicate with child. Extended family members need to be willing to be proactive in learning ASL to effectively communicate with child during family functions. (Birthdays, holidays, family reunions, weddings, funerals)
ASL option risks: Education:
State does not provide ASL only communication education.
Options may be limited to:
Bus child to a school that provides asl only communication education.
Uproot family, to another state that provides asl only communication education.
Send child to boarding school for the deaf.
Remember, I and others are interested in seeing the "risks" part about the ASL option.
All methods have inherent risks including ASL. Most people who use ASL cannot even read and they still think they're "bi-bi" while they cannot even comprehend English?! Try finding a white collar job in a real company with ASL! If you want to be stuck with jobs like teaching or working for the VRS, then go with ASL. I'm glad I wasn't raised using ASL.
One potential risk established by research is that proficiency in ASL is not a guarantee of proficiency in written English. Many proponents of bilingual English/ASL educational methods emphasize WRITTEN English, but how is a deaf person going to communicate "through the air" with someone who doesn't know ASL? Not every hearing person will be able or willing to take the time to communicate in writing in every situation. By raising this point, I do not mean to imply that deaf people must acquire oral skills. Far from it. But I think it's helpful, and necessary, to have a variety of communication strategies on tap, other than ASL, such as pantomime and gesture. by promoting ASL as one's exclusive expressive communication, the risk is that no one will be there to communicate with, given that profoundly deaf people account for only 1 in 1,000 of the population.
as a case in point, there is a protest scheduled for Thursday 8/19/10 in Sacramento, CA, regarding AB2072. On YouTube, ASL Ella exhorts the "D"eaf community to express their opposition to the bill to their legislators in the Capitol building. I'm curious how they will accomplish this in ASL only, or will they bring a bunch of interpreters to translate for them? Just asking.
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