The Gift Of Sign Language

When I was in high school, if you took the ‘college prep’ track, then taking a foreign language, like Spanish or French, was required.  It terrified me! I was delighted when I discovered the ‘business track’, which I wanted, since I was certain our family could not afford college anyway, did not require this.  Imagine my surprise when many years later I discovered that American Sign Language is also considered a foreign language!

Now, one of my grand daughters is studying Spanish and her nine-month old sister is learning ‘Sign’!  No, she doesn’t have a hearing problem, but it’s a wonderful skill to have.  While the baby is learning this ‘foreign language’, so is the rest of the family.  I have to chuckle when even the dog responds to ‘Sign’!

I remember watching a movie several years ago where a couple was eating in a restaurant.  While they were eating, two men came in and the waitress was getting their order.  I’m not sure who was more frustrated—-the waitress or the man trying to give the order. 

The young woman at the other table saw the situation and told the waitress what the man was trying to say.  The guy with her was astounded!  “How do you know Sign language?” he asked.  “My dad was unable to speak,” she answered, “so we all knew Sign language to be able to communicate.  It’s how I grew up.”

Those images and conversation have stayed with me, and I’ve since wanted very much, to learn Sign language.  Anyone who knows me will tell you, I’m a chatter, and I do much of it with my hands, even though I am completely capable to use my voice!  Even though I tend to accentuate what I say with my hands, and use a great many facial expressions, should I meet someone who really needs this skill, I would not be able to communicate!  That thought gives me pause.

I can’t imagine not hearing the birds sing in the early morning, breakfast sizzling in the skillet, my grandchildren talking all at once, the sound of the ‘belly laugh’, Gospel music, crickets, wind blowing through the pine trees, rain hitting a tin roof and the list could go on forever.  Hearing is what brings the world to our senses.  We can hear ‘it’ even when we don’t have a visual!

Our world is filled with people who are either somewhat hearing impaired or have total hearing loss.  I am awed when I watch people who ‘Sign’ during a music presentation or during conventions when many people are attending.  It makes me wonder how many in attendance need this added benefit to be able to ‘hear’ what is being said.

I just read a post from my hearing impaired friend in SD that a police department in Kaysville, UT is learning sign language.  This is how important knowing how to communicate is.  I agree with her, “This should be everywhere!” she commented.

September 23 is International Day of Sign Languages; and it’s interesting to note that many countries have their own specific ‘Sign’.  It is believed that there are between 140 and 300 unique sign languages world wide.  Apparently different areas have specific nuances much like different areas around the US have their own dialects and even slang, cultural words and expressions.

Learning sign language is so important, even if a person can speak well!  What a great way to make yourself available to those who can’t speak aloud!  I challenge you to consider learning a foreign language: the language of ‘Sign’!