Silent Languages Chapter 5

Sign Language FOR MANY YEARS PEOPLE DID NOT THINK SIGN LANGUAGE WAS A ‘REAL’ LANGUAGE FOR MANY YEARS PEOPLE DID NOT THINK SIGN LANGUAGE WAS A ‘REAL’ LANGUAGE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS RANDOM GESTURES THEY THOUGHT IT WAS RANDOM GESTURES THIS IDEA REFLECTS LINGUISTIC IDEOLOGY CALLED ORALITY THIS IDEA REFLECTS LINGUISTIC IDEOLOGY CALLED ORALITY THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE TOOK FOR GRANTED THE IDEA THAT SPOKEN LANGUAGE WAS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF LANGAUGE THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE TOOK FOR GRANTED THE IDEA THAT SPOKEN LANGUAGE WAS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF LANGAUGE THEREFORE EDUCATION FOCUSED ON the oral approach of FINGERSPELLING AND LIPREADING and Manually coded English THEREFORE EDUCATION FOCUSED ON the oral approach of FINGERSPELLING AND LIPREADING and Manually coded English Artificial language that follows exact structure of spoken English Artificial language that follows exact structure of spoken English

Sign Language William stokoe, jr learned and taught MCE but saw that students used sign language to communicate outside of class William stokoe, jr learned and taught MCE but saw that students used sign language to communicate outside of class this sign language had its own unique language structure this sign language had its own unique language structure

History of Sign Language American sign language (asl) was developed from French sign language in the 1800s by Gallaudet and Clerc American sign language (asl) was developed from French sign language in the 1800s by Gallaudet and Clerc all sign languages are different (British, French, Nicaraguan, etc.) and deaf people cannot speak to each other in these different forms of sign language all sign languages are different (British, French, Nicaraguan, etc.) and deaf people cannot speak to each other in these different forms of sign language While most deaf people were taught the oral approach, they kept using sign language as a way to communicate with each other outside of class While most deaf people were taught the oral approach, they kept using sign language as a way to communicate with each other outside of class

asl ASL HAS A DIFFERENT STRUCTURE THAN SPOKEN ENGLISH ASL HAS A DIFFERENT STRUCTURE THAN SPOKEN ENGLISH ONE-HANDED SIGNS ARE MADE WITH THE DOMINANT HAND, SO THEY MAY BE MADE WITH EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT ONE-HANDED SIGNS ARE MADE WITH THE DOMINANT HAND, SO THEY MAY BE MADE WITH EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT

asl Asl has a different grammar than spoken English as well Asl has a different grammar than spoken English as well English is subject-verb-object while asl is time-topic-comment English is subject-verb-object while asl is time-topic-comment Example: Example: I ate a banana yesterday I ate a banana yesterday Day-past me eat banana Day-past me eat banana Question words (why? How? Etc.) are at the beginning of sentences, not the end Question words (why? How? Etc.) are at the beginning of sentences, not the end Example: Example: WHAT DID HE BUY? WHAT DID HE BUY? HE BUY WHAT? HE BUY WHAT?

asl SOMETIMES ONE SIGN CAN STAND FOR A PHRASE OR SENTENCE SOMETIMES ONE SIGN CAN STAND FOR A PHRASE OR SENTENCE THERE IS ONE SIGN FOR ‘I ASK HER’ THERE IS ONE SIGN FOR ‘I ASK HER’ THIS IS DIFFICULT FOR NON-ASL SIGNERS TO LEARN, SINCE THEY WANT TO MAKE A NEW SIGN FOR EACH SPOKEN WORD THIS IS DIFFICULT FOR NON-ASL SIGNERS TO LEARN, SINCE THEY WANT TO MAKE A NEW SIGN FOR EACH SPOKEN WORD Furrowing eyebrows or other facial features are also part of asl communication Furrowing eyebrows or other facial features are also part of asl communication Asl grammar: Asl grammar:

Manually coded signs This is not natural sign language This is not natural sign language In mcs, people attempt to teach spoken English to the deaf and uses the exact structure of spoken English In mcs, people attempt to teach spoken English to the deaf and uses the exact structure of spoken English So, in order to sing the word ‘improving’ you would need to sign the word ‘improve’ and then sign the suffix ‘ing’ So, in order to sing the word ‘improving’ you would need to sign the word ‘improve’ and then sign the suffix ‘ing’ In natural sign language improving has its own sign In natural sign language improving has its own sign When deaf children are taught mcs, they become very confused about morphemes and how to use them When deaf children are taught mcs, they become very confused about morphemes and how to use them

Describing and analyzing signs Review: Review: Phoneme = minimal meaningful portion of language Phoneme = minimal meaningful portion of language Chereme = structural unit or basic descriptive unit of signing; also called primes or sign phonemes Chereme = structural unit or basic descriptive unit of signing; also called primes or sign phonemes Sign language phonetics has: Sign language phonetics has: Dez: hand shape and orientation Dez: hand shape and orientation Tab: hand placement Tab: hand placement Sig: hand movement Sig: hand movement These are the building blocks of the language These are the building blocks of the language

Describing and analyzing signs Sign language phonetics has: Sign language phonetics has: Dez: hand shape and orientation Dez: hand shape and orientation Flat hand, fist hand, index hand, cupped hand Flat hand, fist hand, index hand, cupped hand “A,” “b,” ‘c,” and ‘d’ (see pg. 123) “A,” “b,” ‘c,” and ‘d’ (see pg. 123) Tab: hand placement Tab: hand placement near the face, head, and upper body near the face, head, and upper body Sig: hand movement Sig: hand movement up, down, toward the body, away from body, twisting, and across body up, down, toward the body, away from body, twisting, and across body Practice the different signs for apple and candy on pg. 123 Practice the different signs for apple and candy on pg. 123

Change in sign language Like any other language, sign languages change over time Like any other language, sign languages change over time New signs get introduced New signs get introduced Changes occur in placement Changes occur in placement Varieties exist in northern/southern signers Varieties exist in northern/southern signers There are differences by region; what we call ‘dialect’ There are differences by region; what we call ‘dialect’ Differences exist between ages, genders, and ethnicities Differences exist between ages, genders, and ethnicities  the variety of (any) language you choose to speak/sign can convey information about you, including your identity, what group you belong to, etc.  the variety of (any) language you choose to speak/sign can convey information about you, including your identity, what group you belong to, etc.

modality Modality is the channel through which a language is expressed Modality is the channel through which a language is expressed Spoken languages use oral channel Spoken languages use oral channel Sign languages use visual-gestural channel Sign languages use visual-gestural channel Example: pronouns Example: pronouns In spoken English, we have these for people, number, gender, etc. In spoken English, we have these for people, number, gender, etc. In asl, pointing indicates the person In asl, pointing indicates the person For a person not physically there, an infinite number of pronouns can be made because the signer uses the empty space to describe him or her For a person not physically there, an infinite number of pronouns can be made because the signer uses the empty space to describe him or her Does this difference in the languages mean that the people using them have different views of the world?... Does this difference in the languages mean that the people using them have different views of the world?...

ASL In non-humans WE WILL DISCUSS THIS MORE IN A LATER CHAPTER, BUT CHIMPANZEES AND GORILLAS HAVE LEARNED TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH ASL WE WILL DISCUSS THIS MORE IN A LATER CHAPTER, BUT CHIMPANZEES AND GORILLAS HAVE LEARNED TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH ASL WASHOE (CHIMP) WASHOE (CHIMP) KOKO (GORILLA)  KOKO (GORILLA) 

Nonverbal communication Different cultures use different gestures to mean different things Different cultures use different gestures to mean different things You cannot effectively communicate in a culture until you know gestures and nonverbal communication You cannot effectively communicate in a culture until you know gestures and nonverbal communication this includes this includes Gestures Gestures Posture Posture Facial expressions Facial expressions What we call ‘body language’ What we call ‘body language’

Nonverbal communication Over 60% of messages are conveyed nonverbally Over 60% of messages are conveyed nonverbally Sometimes nonverbal cues can override verbal signs Sometimes nonverbal cues can override verbal signs

Nonverbal communication There can be many misunderstandings There can be many misunderstandings In Nicaragua, you point with your lip and signal a question by wrinkling nose In Nicaragua, you point with your lip and signal a question by wrinkling nose In Comoro islands, you signal ‘come here’ with what looks like ‘go away’ In Comoro islands, you signal ‘come here’ with what looks like ‘go away’ Thumbs up can be a big insult Thumbs up can be a big insult ‘okay’ sign can mean money in japan but an insult in germany ‘okay’ sign can mean money in japan but an insult in germany There are some guidebooks for this, but remember: There are some guidebooks for this, but remember: These constantly evolve These constantly evolve These can reinforce stereotypes These can reinforce stereotypes READ “9 INNOCENT GESTURES THAT WILL GET YOU PUNCHED IN THE FACE OVERSEAS” READ “9 INNOCENT GESTURES THAT WILL GET YOU PUNCHED IN THE FACE OVERSEAS”

Nonverbal communication Proxemics is the study of how people perceive and use space Proxemics is the study of how people perceive and use space These vary by culture These vary by culture Americans tend to not like to touch Americans tend to not like to touch How much space is between you and your classmates right now? How much space is between you and your classmates right now? Even in subways, new Yorkers leave space between each person, while in Tokyo people are densely packed into each train Even in subways, new Yorkers leave space between each person, while in Tokyo people are densely packed into each train

Personal space There are four types of space: There are four types of space: Intimate Intimate For americans, 0-18 inches For americans, 0-18 inches Personal Personal 18 in – 4 feet 18 in – 4 feet Social Social 4-12 feet 4-12 feet Public Public 12+ feet 12+ feet

Personal space What happens when someone from another culture that values closer spaces moves into your space? What happens when someone from another culture that values closer spaces moves into your space? Space can also mark status or dominance, so many times women feel dominated if men come too close Space can also mark status or dominance, so many times women feel dominated if men come too close Space is also in workplace Space is also in workplace Ceo has biggest office, then vp, …. Down to cubicles Ceo has biggest office, then vp, …. Down to cubicles Space in home Space in home Master bedroom for parents and smallest room for youngest Master bedroom for parents and smallest room for youngest

kinesics Kinesics is the study of body movement, facial expressions, and gestures Kinesics is the study of body movement, facial expressions, and gestures Gestures are not the same as signs; they are supplemental to language Gestures are not the same as signs; they are supplemental to language Five categories: Five categories: Emblems: direct verbal translations (waving hello) Emblems: direct verbal translations (waving hello) Illustrators: illustrate what is said (mimicking talking on phone) Illustrators: illustrate what is said (mimicking talking on phone) Affect displays: convey emotion (smiles or frowns) Affect displays: convey emotion (smiles or frowns) Regulators: control or coordinate interaction (indicating it is someone’s turn to talk) Regulators: control or coordinate interaction (indicating it is someone’s turn to talk) Adaptors: facilitate release of body tension (nervous tapping) Adaptors: facilitate release of body tension (nervous tapping)

kinesics Kinesics also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and posture Kinesics also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and posture Direct eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in others Direct eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in others Eyebrow movement is part of asl Eyebrow movement is part of asl Gestures can be simple systems or complex systems Gestures can be simple systems or complex systems

kinesics Kinesics also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and posture Kinesics also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and posture Direct eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in others Direct eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in others Eyebrow movement is part of asl Eyebrow movement is part of asl Gestures can be simple systems or complex systems Gestures can be simple systems or complex systems Simple: Simple: Routine (example: signals between pitcher and catcher) Routine (example: signals between pitcher and catcher) Complex: Complex: Can be used almost effectively as spoken language Can be used almost effectively as spoken language Develop in situations in which people cannot verbally speak Develop in situations in which people cannot verbally speak Follow syntax of spoken language Follow syntax of spoken language

kinesics Facial expressions are most important Facial expressions are most important Some are universally recognized, and some are not, and sometimes people are deceitful Some are universally recognized, and some are not, and sometimes people are deceitful

Language and Power Language’s power, or effectiveness in communicating, allows people to use it to increase their personal power, or influence. Language’s power, or effectiveness in communicating, allows people to use it to increase their personal power, or influence. Very common in politics (we will discuss this more in chapter 7) Very common in politics (we will discuss this more in chapter 7)

Nonverbal communication Video log: Video log: