SignWriting List Forum | |||
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From:
Akehurst Date: Sat Mar 11, 2000 1:16 pm Subject: Re: SignWriting as a gateway? | |
what I see from this comment, it sounds like they would rather do all their reading and writing in SW rather than bilingually switch between the two That's not the case at all. What is the case is that for the few brief, shining moments we are together...they relax and allow themselves to be, in our secure environment, whom they are - Deaf kids usually steeped in a hearing world. They enjoy talking, reading, thinking and feeling in their OWN language, not mine, but none of them are self-delusional enough to think it will be anything but a respite before they resume their harness and take up, yet again (and quite admirably), the challenge of functioning in a foreign language. I have lived/worked/functioned as an adult in a culture not mine and with a language that will never be mine (although I mastered a good chunk of it eventually). I assure you, whenever I could, I grabbed a few moments of grainy TV transmission that came through in English just for the sheer of joy of relaxing for once. I loved learning my new language, but I was always glad to encounter my own. I'm glad these children have a chance at that feeling as well. Kathy A. Private Tutor Ontario, Canada |
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