If we were to write preamble for our declaration of ASL rights and values, shall we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all languages are created equal, endowed with certain inalienable meanings embedded in all parameters of signs? Is ASL the distillation of language; the uproarious babble of our thoughts?
When in the course of communication, why is ASL confronted with oppression by dominant cultural groups against our being Deaf? Why is there increased emphasis on high technologies disseminated by the money-making corporates with the consequent distortion of ASL and the concurrent devaluing of cultural factors generated by ASL? Is it necessary to protect ASL the way we protect animals in extinct? Why are Deaf people encouraged to be as diverse as possible and to be distant from vernacular (or native) expressions in whatever competence is available that suppresses ASL?
Is it our habit to sign in the word order in the language of the power? Is English the lingua franca of the Deaf? Can technology bring about the enhancement of ASL, the language we know and use?
Professor H-Dirksen Bauman of Gallaudet University was working as a dormitory houseparent at a residential school for the Deaf where he realized whether ASL has literature. Yes, Bauman declares in his article, "Redesigning Literature: Poetics of American Sign Language Poetry," ASL does. If it were not for such a language oppression, ASL would teach us about us in schools, colleges, and universities.
We do need to draw up our declaration of ASL rights and values.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
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1 comments:
Carl,
That's what I am trying to fight for the preservation of culturally deaf people from being extinct or systematically oppressed in the near future due to the existing technology - cochlear implant.
We must be deeply concerned about Hillary Clinton being possibly nominated as the Democratic Party nominee. Hillary is an ardent (strong) supporter of the technological enchancement of the human flaws - ourselves being deaf.
Please insert Dr. Bauman's research paper if you could do that. I have much respect for Dr. Bauman!
We must really pressure the federal government to recognize the cultural and linguistic aspects of our own deaf people by providing the full-government protection to the culturally deaf from being possibly scruntized and demoted in the societal ladder.
Deaf individuals with cochlear implant will be unfairly promoted and hired over culturally deaf individuals in competitive employment markets.
If the federal government finally give the legal protection to our own people - culturally deaf to preserve the cultural and linguistic recognizance like other countries to protect the cultural and linguistic minority at all cost.
Our federal and state government and health insurance companies surely promote the preference of AUDISM to cochlearize deaf babies and youngsters from leading such productive and meaningful life.
We must demand our turn to be protected by the legal aspect of our own existence as culturally deaf from being extinct and threatened.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
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