SignWriting List Forum| Message 559 | Previous | Next [ Up Thread ] | Message Index |
|
SignWriting List Forum |
|||
|
|
From:
Barbara ODea Date: Thu Nov 5, 1998 4:23 pm Subject: Re: A general ASL question | |
|
I seem to have offended some people on this list. I do not want to add fuel to the fire, and after this message I will respond to people only individually, but I want to make a couple of things clear. My points were not at all directed to hearing parents who are struggling to provide their Deaf children with a language base; and I hope that is clear. These people learn as much as they can from people who know ASL and then pass that on to their children. Those of us who have been part of this struggle know and appreciate the enormity of the situation. And it is not uncommon for people learning a second language (or anything else for that matter) to share that with their children (which probably happens to some degree anyway, whether we plan it or not). Some responses have lead me to understand that some parents are attempting to teach their "own" children ASL and, in fact, my earlier posting was a response to just such a person (although I didn't know that at the time). Obviously, what parents teach and attempt to teach their own children is entirely their business. My views have not changed concerning people who do not know a language setting themselves up as "teachers" of that language. As we know, in our society, that doesn't happen with spoken languages, but it does happen with ASL. I had expected to get some support for this view from people on this list. It would be great to continue this discussion, but directed responses to me individually rather than to the list. Thanks, Barbara Barbara O'Dea Voice: 871-7443 Sign Language Studies Department TTY: 871-7444 Vancouver Community College FAX: 871-7442 email: |
|