I was riding the subway, this past weekend. Amidst the bustle, the shopping bags and the bundled coats was a deaf couple. While I stood through 5 stops, I watched the way the two of them interacted. I had seen individuals signing to each other before. I had watched lovers make little gestures to each other. But what I saw between them was different from both. Their faces were alight and full of emotion; their hands floated through signs; they spoke with their entire bodies. It was really very beautiful to watch. They were having a pedestrian conversation, at least so it seemed to me. I guess I wouldn't know, but I expect they don't feel the same security that people who speak a foreign language sometimes do--that those around them don't know what they're talking about, because all of it is in their faces and gestures. It's a very open language. It's also technically English, and they can often lip-read very well, so I wonder if they communicate as though no one around them understands....The interaction that I was watching prompted me to think of a few questions.
Do deaf people think graphically? I know I think in audio, generally. When I think about words or what I'm going to say, it's sounds, it's words in my head--it's silent reading. We learn to read out loud and then in our heads. How does that vary among the deaf? I don't know. I'm curious. And do deaf people assume that at least one person in a room will know sign language, so they communicate as though someone could "overhear" them? It's really interesting to wonder how that factor changes some cognitive processes. And it's amazing to watch how people have adapted to deal with that hardship as well. And to watch that couple getting along so beautifully. It was pretty amazing.
On another note. 92.3 K-Rock became 92.3 Free FM. That's awful. Not that K-Rock's been good lately, but it's sentimental. And Howard Stern's last show is on Friday. As much of a pig as he can be, I can't say I really hate the guy. I think he makes a lot of noise, not always about things I agree with, but at least he says something unlike so many of us who sit on our hands and clam up. I think I'm going to tune in for his farewell.
Do deaf people think graphically? I know I think in audio, generally. When I think about words or what I'm going to say, it's sounds, it's words in my head--it's silent reading. We learn to read out loud and then in our heads. How does that vary among the deaf? I don't know. I'm curious. And do deaf people assume that at least one person in a room will know sign language, so they communicate as though someone could "overhear" them? It's really interesting to wonder how that factor changes some cognitive processes. And it's amazing to watch how people have adapted to deal with that hardship as well. And to watch that couple getting along so beautifully. It was pretty amazing.
On another note. 92.3 K-Rock became 92.3 Free FM. That's awful. Not that K-Rock's been good lately, but it's sentimental. And Howard Stern's last show is on Friday. As much of a pig as he can be, I can't say I really hate the guy. I think he makes a lot of noise, not always about things I agree with, but at least he says something unlike so many of us who sit on our hands and clam up. I think I'm going to tune in for his farewell.
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