Hello All,Last week I gave all of you name signs. Be aware that this is not something to be taken lightly and having a name sign holds special responisbility. A name sign is to be cherished. You must earn your name sign. I have never before given my students name signs. Now that you have a name sign you must become more active in the Deaf Community and earn your place there. I believe that this class will do just that. But, I am asking you now, what will you do to earn your name sign? How will you become involved and remain involved with the community? Discuss with your classmates what you need to do to live up to your name sign.
I really want you to understand the importance of what I have given you. Please watch these two clips and comment on the information presented. What have these clips shown you about name signs?
On youtube please access these clips.
"A Open Letter For President Obama"
"Handing Out Name Signs"
Hmmm... I always knew that being given a name sign is a tremendous honor. I watched the first video on Obama. I like how the lady was talking to Obama and explaining that he was given a name sign and telling him why it was important. His name sign gives him a place in the Deaf community, just as ours has given us a place. However, that place isn't established until you are known to Deaf people. If you have a name sign and don't use it, you don't really deserve the sign. As for the second video, I believe that he was talking about his students and how they wanted a name sign, but they were only first year students. However, I am kind of lost besides that. If I am wrong, someone please correct me.
ReplyDelete~L
Hmmm. Lots of topics on this one! Okay - Obama, interesting ... lets hope he shows some responsibility to the Deaf Community!
ReplyDeleteOn first (and second) viewing of the "Name Signs" video - all I could think was OH MY! I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN!!!
My understanding so far is that this man is a teacher. Some of his students told him they had two names: one in voice and a 'name signs'. He asked who gave them their name signs. I think the student said that their teacher gave it to them.
His question for the Deaf Community is "Who's responbibility is it to give someone a name sign?" And do they think its acceptable if someone has a name sign that wasn't given to them from the Deaf Community? He goes on to discuss the responsiblities that come with being accepted into the Deaf Community, and should students be givin name signs if they aren't ready to take on the responsibility. Okay, more later...
I am grateful and feel blessed to have been given a name sign. So, what will I do to live up to my name sign? For sure I need to be an advocate and supportive of the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture at any opportunity. This could even mean educating my family or fellow students or even a stranger next to me in line at the store about the Deaf and HOH Community. Especially if they are displaying audism.(being audistic)?
Julie- I thouhgt the very same thing about having a lot to learn after viewing the second video. I also got the same out of the video.
ReplyDeleteI think that the man was trying to show his point that students who are given a name sign right away do not know how important it is. I was explaining about name signs to a friend and I told him that its like when new parents think a long time about what to name their baby because it's special, it's like a name sign, and I don't think that first year students would care as much as our class does now after advancing and strenghtening our ASL.
I thought the Obama video was really cool because I haven't heard of another president getting a name sign, I think it would be neat to see Obama actually use it during a speech.
Hmmmm.... Where to start. I have to say that it's way cool to see the the Deaf community gave President Obama a name sign. And I have to say, it's really fun to sign. I really feel honored having a name sign. I know how important it is to the Deaf community.
ReplyDeleteAs for the video with the teacher... woah. A bit difficult to understand. I agree with the others on this one. I watched it a few times. I understand some signs, but I guess not the context. From reading what others said it sounds like students are missing the importance of the name sign. It shouldn't be something given to just anyone. Before a name sign is given to students they should not only know the importance, but understand what it means.
After watching the teacher sign, I was a little frustrated at first, but then I realized just how much more I want to learn NOW! I am a very impatient person, and it's hard for me to accept the fact the learning new languages is a very long and strenuous process.
Hello all :) Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDelete-- First of all the man was a little difficult to understand, but watching him a few times made it easier. :) And I LOVED the video message to Obama! Amazing & inspiring.
Monica- I feel honored that you have given us all a name sign. It shows that your respect us a lot and feel as though we will be active members in the Deaf Community and that we will continue to do so after our days in your ASL class come to an end. Thank you for believing in us and knowing that we are ready, willing and accepting of this responsibiity!
What exactly will I do to be and reamin an active part in the Deaf COmmunity? Well, I would love to start going to Sammy's Pizza again on Thursdays (Anyone want to go with me?) I would love to attend Deaf events in the community. Also, keep up on Deaf news, reading articles and staying up to date on what is happening within the community. Plus, it has always been a dream of mine to become an interpreter. So I would remain involved that way and as Julie said, educating others on the Deaf Culture. Getting my voice out there and making sure people understand that it is a culture, a way of life and most certainly not a disabiity. Being an active member in the Deaf Community it something I plan to do! AND... spending time with Cherie :) (MISS HER!) SO that about sums that up!
To Erin- I agree. I think it would be impressive if Obama did respond to the video and use his name sign in a speech or somehow when he is adressing our country. I think that would be a wise move on his part!
I also think its cool how Obama now has a name sign. I also agree that it was cool how she was signing directly to him, and explained why the name sign. We all received ours because of something about us that stands out or is unique. In the second video he talks about, giving each first year student a name sign just so you don’t have to fingerspell everyone’s name or just out of convince you are loosing the whole point behind the honor of receiving one. From what I understand we are all on the same page, we understood that he is a teacher and has students who have name signs, he also talks about who is to give a name sign out. That its not against the rules but he prefers that the Deaf community gives out the name sign, that after the person has shown respect for the culture they will receive one.
ReplyDeleteAs far as what we will do to earn our name signs I couldn’t agree more with Julie, I think education is the key to understanding and acceptance.
First of all, I am incredibly honored to have a name sign. Thank you, Monica. I very much want to earn it! I think that getting more involved in Deaf events is not only something that will help our class but something that we’ll all enjoy – meeting Deaf people, interacting with them, forming new relationships with them.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the video to Obama because she respectfully explained the responsibility of having a name sign. I feel like Obama has many qualities that are admirable: honesty, common sense, fairness, open-mindedness, determination. The Deaf community shares those qualities and in this video extends an invitation to him to be active and involved in the community, which I think is important. I think hearing people are afraid to get involved if they haven’t had ASL classes, etc. and I also think that we’re ashamed of not being aware of Deaf culture when we’re not! I would be really surprised if Obama didn’t respond to this message by being honored and wanting to get involved.
The teacher in the second video was a little bit confusing, but I got that students had name signs and he was curious how they got them. He thought that maybe the teacher didn’t want everyone to have to fingerspell their names every time - I think that’s a really odd thing for an ASL teacher to hand out name signs when they aren’t being earned or taken responsibility for. I think it’s appropriate that someone in the Deaf community should give the name sign and that the person receiving the name sign should honor that by participating in and respecting the culture.
OMG - big post, wrong button, GONE!
ReplyDeleteTrying again ... Michelle – Thank you for explaining WHY he thought the teachers were giving out the name signs (because they didn’t have the patience to wait for them to fingerspell) – I went back and saw that!
About ½ way through, I get confused…he signs something about ‘deplete’ and ‘take back’ … the name sign? Later, he signs three or four (letters or hand shapes) over his open left palm (like you would sign dancing). Are these specific signs, or examples or ‘name signs’ given that don’t really have meaning?
Its interesting how once you lose track, or lose the topic how much harder it is to follow and understand! Good point for the importance of using Topics!
I feel a little bit better now after reading everyone's post. I now understand better the reason for his concern about the name signs. Now I see that he mentioned how students were given name signs so they didn't have to finger spell. I think thats a terrible idea!! First of all, they don't understand the true meaning and the responsibility of having a name sign. Second of all, students need to practice finger spelling. I still have a hard time with finger spelling (at least on the receiving end). It's important to be exposed to it as much as possible in order to get better at it.
ReplyDeleteI just looked at the video again. I have a question for the group:
ReplyDeleteIf an ASL teacher gave name signs to her students (for ease of use, or introduction to Deaf Culture), but explained to them that it was for CLASSROOM purposes only (not to be used in the Deaf Community) would that be acceptable?
I would 'suggest' this for two reasons:
1) In other language classes, it is common for the instructor to give each student a 'classroom name'. For example, in French class, my name might be "Monique" or in Spanish class my name might be "Maria." It is not really my 'name' in either of those languages, but I would use it in class to feel more a part of the Culture and Language.
2) If the sign name were given to the students for 'classroom' purposes only, it may give students more of the Deaf Culture experience. But it should be made very clear, that this is not an 'offical' name given by the Deaf Community, and they are not entitled to use it oustide of the classroom.
Comments?
First of all- Monica thank you so much for giving me a name sign. I'll do my best to live up to it. How? I keep going back to the story you told in Deaf Culture class about how your students become "Deaf Friendly." That is one of my main goals. Especially because I am looking to become a psychologist one day, I can promise you no Deaf client of mine will recieve the kind of run around you've been going through looking for someone to see your daughter.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the "Letter to Obama" as well. I think the woman did an excellent job explaining very respectfully the responsiblity that goes with a name sign. And that's for everyone, not just the president.
The second video was a little more difficult for me to understand, thank you everyone for the clarifying comments.
Julie- I understand how much easier it is for an instructer to use a name sign, and I believe that if it truly was used for classroom purposes only that could work. However would that possibly make it a little less special when students recieved their "real" name signs? Or perhaps just confusing.