Silent LanguagesSilent LanguagesChapter 5Chapter 5

Sign LanguageSign Language• FOR MANY YEARS PEOPLE DID NOT THINK FOR MANY YEARS PEOPLE DID NOT THINK SIGN LANGUAGESIGN LANGUAGE WAS A WAS A

‘REAL’ LANGUAGE‘REAL’ LANGUAGE

• THEY THOUGHT IT WAS RANDOM GESTURESTHEY THOUGHT IT WAS RANDOM GESTURES

• THIS IDEA REFLECTS THIS IDEA REFLECTS LINGUISTIC IDEOLOGYLINGUISTIC IDEOLOGY CALLED CALLED ORALITYORALITY

• THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE TOOK FOR GRANTED THE IDEA THAT THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE TOOK FOR GRANTED THE IDEA THAT

SPOKEN LANGUAGE WAS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF SPOKEN LANGUAGE WAS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF

LANGAUGELANGAUGE

• THEREFORE EDUCATION FOCUSED ON THEREFORE EDUCATION FOCUSED ON the oral approachthe oral approach of of

FINGERSPELLINGFINGERSPELLING AND AND LIPREADINGLIPREADING and and Manually coded EnglishManually coded English

• Artificial language that follows exact structure of spoken EnglishArtificial language that follows exact structure of spoken English

Sign LanguageSign Language• William stokoe, jr learned and taught MCE but saw that students used William stokoe, jr learned and taught MCE but saw that students used

sign language to communicate outside of classsign language to communicate outside of class

• this sign language had its own unique language structurethis sign language had its own unique language structure

History of Sign LanguageHistory of Sign Language• American sign language (asl)American sign language (asl) was developed from French sign was developed from French sign

language in the 1800s by Gallaudet and Clerclanguage in the 1800s by Gallaudet and Clerc

• all sign languages are different (British, French , Nicaraguan, etc.) and all sign languages are different (British, French , Nicaraguan, etc.) and

deaf people cannot speak to each other in these different forms of deaf people cannot speak to each other in these different forms of

sign languagesign language

• While most deaf people were taught the oral approach, they kept While most deaf people were taught the oral approach, they kept

using sign language as a way to communicate with each other outside using sign language as a way to communicate with each other outside

of classof class

aslasl• Asl has a different structure than spoken EnglishAsl has a different structure than spoken English

• One-handed signs are made with the dominant hand, so they may be One-handed signs are made with the dominant hand, so they may be

made with either the left or the rightmade with either the left or the right

aslasl• Asl has a different grammar than spoken English as wellAsl has a different grammar than spoken English as well

• English is subject-verb-object while English is subject-verb-object while asl is time-topic-commentasl is time-topic-comment

• Example:Example:

• I ate a banana yesterday I ate a banana yesterday

• Day-past me eat bananaDay-past me eat banana

• Question words (why? How? Etc.) are at the beginning of sentences, not the Question words (why? How? Etc.) are at the beginning of sentences, not the

endend

• Example:Example:

• WHAT DID HE BUY?WHAT DID HE BUY?

• HE BUY WHAT?HE BUY WHAT?

aslasl• SOMETIMES ONE SIGN CAN STAND FOR A PHRASE OR SENTENCESOMETIMES 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 THIS IS DIFFICULT FOR NON-ASL SIGNERS TO LEARN, SINCE THEY

WANT TO MAKE A NEW SIGN FOR EACH SPOKEN WORDWANT TO MAKE A NEW SIGN FOR EACH SPOKEN WORD

• Furrowing eyebrows or other facial features are also part of asl Furrowing eyebrows or other facial features are also part of asl

communicationcommunication

• Asl grammar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QC9UYAW8j8Asl grammar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QC9UYAW8j8

Manually coded signsManually coded signs• This is not natural sign languageThis is not natural sign language

• In mcs, people attempt to teach spoken English to the deaf and uses In mcs, people attempt to teach spoken English to the deaf and uses

the exact structure of spoken Englishthe exact structure of spoken English

• So, in order to sing the word ‘improving’ you would need to sign the So, in order to sing the word ‘improving’ you would need to sign the

word ‘improve’ and then sign the suffix ‘ing’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 When deaf children are taught mcs, they become very confused about

morphemes and how to use themmorphemes and how to use them

Describing and analyzing signsDescribing and analyzing signs• Review:Review:

• Phoneme = minimal meaningful portion of languagePhoneme = minimal meaningful portion of language

• CheremeChereme = structural unit or basic descriptive unit of signing; also = structural unit or basic descriptive unit of signing; also

called called primes primes or or sign phonemessign phonemes

• Sign language phonetics has:Sign language phonetics has:

• DezDez: hand shape and orientation: hand shape and orientation

• TabTab: hand placement: hand placement

• SigSig: hand movement: hand movement

• These are the building blocks of the languageThese are the building blocks of the language

Describing and analyzing signsDescribing and analyzing signs• Sign language phonetics has:Sign language phonetics has:

• DezDez: hand shape and orientation: hand shape and orientation

• Flat hand, fist hand, index hand, cupped handFlat hand, fist hand, index hand, cupped hand

• ““A,” “b,” ‘c,” and ‘d’ (see pg. 123)A,” “b,” ‘c,” and ‘d’ (see pg. 123)

• TabTab: hand placement: hand placement

• near the face, head, and upper bodynear the face, head, and upper body

• SigSig: hand movement: hand movement

• up, down, toward the body, away from body, twisting, and across bodyup, down, toward the body, away from body, twisting, and across body

• Practice the different signs for apple and candy on pg. 123Practice the different signs for apple and candy on pg. 123

Change in sign languageChange in sign language• Like any other language, sign languages change over timeLike any other language, sign languages change over time

• New signs get introducedNew signs get introduced

• Changes occur in placementChanges occur in placement

• Varieties exist in northern/southern signersVarieties 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 ethnicitiesDifferences exist between ages, genders, and ethnicities

• the variety of (any) language you choose to speak/sign can convey the variety of (any) language you choose to speak/sign can convey

information about you, including your identity, what group you belong to, etc.information about you, including your identity, what group you belong to, etc.

modalitymodality• ModalityModality is the channel through which a language is expressed is the channel through which a language is expressed

• Spoken languages use oral channelSpoken languages use oral channel

• Sign languages use visual-gestural channelSign languages use visual-gestural channel

• Example: pronounsExample: 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 personIn asl, pointing indicates the person

• For a person not physically there, an infinite number of pronouns can be made 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 herbecause the signer uses the empty space to describe him or her

• Does this difference in the languages mean that the people using them have Does this difference in the languages mean that the people using them have different views of the world?...different views of the world?...

ASL In non-humansASL In non-humans• We will discuss this more in a later chapter, but chimpanzees and We will discuss this more in a later chapter, but chimpanzees and

gorillas have learned to communicate through aslgorillas have learned to communicate through asl

• Washoe (chimp)Washoe (chimp)

• Koko (gorilla)Koko (gorilla)

Nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication• Different cultures use different gestures to mean different thingsDifferent cultures use different gestures to mean different things

• You cannot effectively communicate in a culture until you know You cannot effectively communicate in a culture until you know

gesturesgestures and and nonverbal communicationnonverbal communication

• this includesthis includes

• GesturesGestures

• PosturePosture

• Facial expressionsFacial expressions

• What we call ‘body language’What we call ‘body language’

Nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication• Over 60% of messages are conveyed nonverballyOver 60% of messages are conveyed nonverbally

• Sometimes nonverbal cues can override verbal signsSometimes nonverbal cues can override verbal signs

Nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication• There can be many misunderstandingsThere can be many misunderstandings

• In Nicaragua, you point with your lip and signal a question by wrinkling noseIn 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 insultThumbs up can be a big insult

• ‘‘okay’ sign can mean money in japan but an insult in germanyokay’ 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 evolveThese constantly evolve

• These can reinforce stereotypesThese can reinforce stereotypes

• READ “9 INNOCENT GESTURES THAT WILL GET YOU PUNCHED IN THE FACE READ “9 INNOCENT GESTURES THAT WILL GET YOU PUNCHED IN THE FACE

OVERSEAS”OVERSEAS”

Nonverbal communicationNonverbal communication• ProxemicsProxemics is the study of how people perceive and use space is the study of how people perceive and use space

• These vary by cultureThese vary by culture

• Americans tend to not like to touchAmericans 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 Even in subways, new Yorkers leave space between each person, while

in Tokyo people are densely packed into each trainin Tokyo people are densely packed into each train

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kor5nHtZQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7kor5nHtZQ

Personal spacePersonal space• There are four types of space:There are four types of space:

• IntimateIntimate

• For americans, 0-18 inchesFor americans, 0-18 inches

• PersonalPersonal

• 18 in – 4 feet18 in – 4 feet

• SocialSocial

• 4-12 feet4-12 feet

• PublicPublic

• 12+ feet12+ feet

Personal spacePersonal space• What happens when someone from another culture that values closer What happens when someone from another culture that values closer

spaces moves into your space?spaces moves into your space?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVSIkEi3mM

• Space can also mark status or dominance, so many times women feel Space can also mark status or dominance, so many times women feel

dominated if men come too closedominated if men come too close

• Space is also in workplaceSpace is also in workplace

• Ceo has biggest office, then vp, …. Down to cubiclesCeo has biggest office, then vp, …. Down to cubicles

• Space in homeSpace in home

• Master bedroom for parents and smallest room for youngestMaster bedroom for parents and smallest room for youngest

kinesicskinesics• KinesicsKinesics is the study of body movement, facial expressions, and gestures is the study of body movement, facial expressions, and gestures

• Gestures are not the same as signs; they are supplemental to languageGestures are not the same as signs; they are supplemental to language

• Five categories:Five categories:

• EmblemsEmblems: direct verbal translations (waving hello): direct verbal translations (waving hello)

• IllustratorsIllustrators: illustrate what is said (mimicking talking on phone): illustrate what is said (mimicking talking on phone)

• Affect displaysAffect displays: convey emotion (smiles or frowns): convey emotion (smiles or frowns)

• RegulatorsRegulators: control or coordinate interaction (indicating it is someone’s : control or coordinate interaction (indicating it is someone’s

turn to talk)turn to talk)

• AdaptorsAdaptors: facilitate release of body tension (nervous tapping): facilitate release of body tension (nervous tapping)

kinesicskinesics• KinesicsKinesics also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and

postureposture

• Direct eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in othersDirect eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in others

• Eyebrow movement is part of aslEyebrow movement is part of asl

• Gestures can be Gestures can be simple systemssimple systems or or complex systemscomplex systems

kinesicskinesics• KinesicsKinesics also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and posture also includes facial expressions, body movements, gaze, and posture

• Direct eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in othersDirect eye contact is expected in some cultures and forbidden in others

• Eyebrow movement is part of aslEyebrow movement is part of asl

• Gestures can be Gestures can be simple systemssimple systems or or complex systemscomplex 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 speakDevelop in situations in which people cannot verbally speak

• Follow syntax of spoken languageFollow syntax of spoken language

kinesicskinesics• Facial expressions are most importantFacial expressions are most important

• Some are universally recognized, and some are not, and sometimes Some are universally recognized, and some are not, and sometimes

people are deceitfulpeople are deceitful

Language and PowerLanguage and Power• Language’s power, or effectiveness in communicating, allows people Language’s power, or effectiveness in communicating, allows people

to use it to increase their personal power, or influence.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 communicationNonverbal communication• Video log:Video log:

• http://ed.ted.com/lessons/your-body-language-shapes-who-you-are-http://ed.ted.com/lessons/your-body-language-shapes-who-you-are-

amy-cuddyamy-cuddy