S.E.E. is a visual language....

S.E.E. stands for Signing Exact English. It is a visual, signing communication system that allow the full English language to be visually seen in its correct grammatical and syntactical forms. S.E.E. is in fact a visual language of the English language. Not that S.E.E. itself is a language but an avenue to see the English language visually in its full proper form without breaks and help continue with the English foundation and development.

I see no controversy in using S.E.E. for deaf kids to use.  It's certainly better than having no signing at all with no visual communication access. This is especially true among those who cannot get the full benefit of hearing aids or cochlear implants. At least there is an option out there. A choice. I have friends who grew up with S.E.E. One is even a CEO and runs his own, very successful deaf-run company. 

Speed Limit

Which is faster in communicating? American Sign Language (ASL), Signing Exact English (S.E.E.) or Oral (i.e. speaking)?  Is speed really that important? Does speed indicate intelligence? Does speed indicate IQ capability? Why does it matter when it comes to the speed of communicating?  What's really important when it comes to communicating? Well, in my humble opinion it does not really matter when it comes to "communication speed. It doesn't matter which communication methods is used as long as whatever works and that the person is comfortable with it. Speed isn't a factor here but the ability to communicate effectively, comfortably and people are able to understand you. And that the communication is an intelligible one.  But I'm still quiet impressed if a person can speak at an ungodly speed breaking the world record as the fastest talker at 600+ words per minute. And I can only type 80 wpm! Holy schmoly!

The irresponsibility on posting a video a call for the destruction of SEE interpreters

Diversity. That is what I see whenever I see deaf and hard of hearing people communicate in a variety of ways such as signing in SEE, PSE, ASL, cued speech, writing, and speaking and listening. Just as I see diversity among people with hearing loss whether born with it or acquired it later on life. But to make a video siren call advocating for the destruction of SEE interpreters (Signing Exact English) is not only irresponsible but smacks of what you could call it as a "hate crime" (as much as I loathe to use those words) in action. And how ironic that has become.  If anything, somebody could mistaken that video as a call to arms to threaten SEE interpreters.

Not a smart move.

SEE interpreters provide a valuable service to deaf/hh people who use SEE. The same kind of valuable service on having ASL interpreters for deaf/hh people who sign in ASL. The same goes for cued speech users by using transliterators. And even oral interpreters (i.e. lipreading). As ALDA would say, WHATEVER WORKS! There is no "right" or "wrong" way to achieve effective communication, only that different methods work best for different people and that need to be recognized. But to seek for the destruction of SEE interpreters and get universities and colleges to ban or stop teaching SEE courses are actions that speak of recklessness and irresponsibility. Such an attitude and group think run the risk to be marked as an extremist.

Be smart. Don't play dumb.

Videos: Compare and Contrast on Communication Methods and Options

Let's compare with the recent ASL video that came out on what it appears to be (CDE) California Department of Education's official support on the ASL option against all other communication methods and options in an equal unbiased approach on information for parents to watch. Also see the CDE Oversight Committee in the last video below at 12:55 to see the scrolling names. You might recognize some of the names. That alone certainly raise questions about the possibility of conflict of interest. Who is Andrew Laufer?

As far as I can tell there were no budget set aside using California's public tax dollars to produce a video on other communication and language options for parents to learn and be informed about. The budget of $34,000 dollars was used to produce the inspirational ASL video with the intent to distribute DVD videos targeting parents of newborn Deaf or hard of hearing children. It is not known if CDE will include other DVDs, pamphlets or other information about other options along with the distributed ASL DVD video for parents to have. Is that their intent? Or just the ASL video only?

I have a question for you CDE, are other options being denied to parents who need to know all other options in order to make an informed decision regarding their deaf/hh newborn child? Is this the only DVD video available for those parents that talks expressly only on ASL? Do you have other communication options to provide and show? Do you have plans to make other similar videos about Cued Speech? Signing Exact English? Audio-Verbal approaches? And so on?


Auditory-oral approach on learning how to speak and improve listening skill.


Cued speech with auditory-oral examples along with sign language using Cuers.


A deaf/hh boy with hearing aid learning how to speak and listen fluently in both the English and Cantonese language through auditory-oral approach with his mother.


A mother and deaf/hh son (with a cochlear implant) moment with her signing in SEE and him responding in SEE which is a full visual communication access of the English language while at the same time hear exactly the spoken English language.


California Department of Education's ASL video of parents and kids signing only.