You've probably already picked up that I have rubbish ears... deafness runs in my family so I've always lived with others who have suffered, and when I partially lost my hearing I found the experience terribly alienating and and a big knock to my confidence. However, the RNID really helped me out, so now I'm a lot more used to it. I do still struggle at times, mainly in social situations where there's a lot of noise as sometimes people think I'm being aloof or rude, when in reality I'm struggling to hear well and am concentrating like the clappers! Alternatively folk wonder why I'm staring at them... if you meet me and I look like I'm transfixed by your face it's not just 'cause you're utterly gorgeous, it's because I'm lip reading. I'm really not rude or aloof, I'm just a nice girl with knackered ears!
Anyway... as they've helped me out so much I volunteer for the RNID quite a bit and on Tuesday I was asked to go in and give a talk about my job so trainee interpreters could carry out live BSL interpretations for examinations.
It was such an interesting day! I find signing fascinating, and would really love to learn. People are so expressive with thier faces and it's great to watch and try and work out what's being said. I can lip read which makes it a bit easier, but some things are not so obvious... for instance, did you know if you want to sign Bill Clinton's name you should mime pulling down your fly zipper!
On Tuesday I worked with a lady called Linda who is completely deaf and heavily relies on signing and lip speaking. I was worried that she'd get tired of my talk after I repeated 7 times but she told me she didn't get bored as each interpreter has to edit what they hear down to be able to speedily interpret, therefore they pick out different things to include in thier sign session.
Here's the BSL alphabet, which I learnt the other day...
8 comments:
Apparently it's quite easy to learn sign language: a writer called Steve recently blogged about this. You can find his blog from his comments on my one.
That's marvellous, thank you lovely Gorilla :D
And you with that sweet sweet voice...You would never have guessed.
Just so you know, I did not for one moment think you were being aloof the other night, I just thought it was very loud in there! So when you said you were partially deaf I was surprised, only because you seem to hide it well...not that you need to. And I agree with Gingey, the fact that you can sing so beautifully proves how incredible you are to not let it affect the things you want to do, and do well. You are a true inspiration m'dear.xx
Thank you Gingey and Jeni, your comments made me get a lump in my throat (in a nice way) It's odd about perception isn't it. I sit there worrying over past occurances and really I should get on with it as neither of you were any the wiser.
Mwah to you both xx
I can't imagine what it's like to lose some hearing at such a young age, and it's great to hear you are giving back to the RNID. I love sign language too, I learnt the sign alphabet when I was a child, but of course have never used it, I still remember it really clearly though!
What a fantastic post. I have been interested in learning sign language for some time now - i even signed up and paid for a college course some years ago - only to turn up raring to go, to be told the course had been cancelled due to lack of interest. Needless to say, my sign to that was V shaped - and not for victory.
You are a testement to all those who have lost their hearing and to the things that you can still achieve. You have a beautiful voice and you are just yourself. You obviously needed time to adjust, but it seems to me that your transition is seemeless.
Also - i LOVE the fact that Bill Clintons sign is the unzipping of fly. HA HA HA HA HA HA!!
Great post poppet - thanks for sharing :)
Ello Landgirl. thank you for such a supportive comment. Tell me about Mr. Clinton's "Special sign" tee hee... I wonder if there is one for George Bush?!
xx
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