EARth vs. EYEth Note Guide

All Walks of Life

  • Deafness affects people from all:

    • age groups

    • ethnic backgrounds

    • socioeconomic statuses

    • geographical locations

  • There are approximately 466 million people worldwide with significant or total hearing loss.

EARth vs. EYEth

  • Make a list of facts you learn about EARth vs. EYEth

    • EARth:

    • Aspects relating to the planet Earth in terms of accessibility, environmental influences on deaf culture, etc.

    • EYEth:

    • Aspects relating to visual communication, the role of sight in deaf culture, and various forms of communication technology.

  • Topics of Discussion:

    • Music

    • Communication/Technology

    • Education

    • Movies

    • Doorbell

  • What is De’VIA?:

    • De'VIA (Deaf View/Image Art) is an artistic movement that expresses the experience of being deaf through visual means, emphasizing the cultural identity of Deaf people.

Pick a Hand, Any Hand

  • Make a list of the uses of your dominant vs non-dominant hand while signing:

    • Dominant Hand:

    • The primary hand used for signing and performing the action.

    • Non-Dominant Hand:

    • Often used for holding signs in place or providing additional context to the signs made by the dominant hand.

  • Difference between American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL):

    • ASL uses a one-handed fingerspelling system while BSL utilizes a two-handed fingerspelling system, highlighting the distinct grammatical and structural differences between the two languages.

A, B, C, D…

Myths, Misconceptions, and Misinformation

  • Use your skill to identify the myths and misconceptions below:

    • Statement: Deaf people can’t communicate effectively with customers or colleagues.

    • Answer: False; Deaf individuals can communicate effectively using sign language and other means.

    • Statement: All deaf people use sign language.

    • Answer: False; some may use spoken language or a combination of methods.

    • Statement: Deaf people can’t drive cars.

    • Answer: False; many deaf individuals are capable drivers.

    • Statement: All deaf people want their hearing to be fixed.

    • Answer: False; not all deaf individuals wish to regain hearing; many embrace their deaf identity.

    • Statement: Deafness is a disability.

    • Answer: This can be controversial; many view it as a cultural and linguistic identity rather than a disability.

  • What is Beethoven’s Nightmare?:

    • Beethoven's Nightmare is a deaf rock band formed by Deaf musicians, showcasing the talent and creativity within the deaf community. It represents how deaf individuals can engage with music in unique ways that challenge traditional perspectives.

When all else fails—fingerspell

  • Fingerspelling is used for:

    • Proper names

    • Specific terms

    • Clarifying signs when a sign is nonexistent or not universally known.

    • It can also aid in communication when a sign is not recognized.

Fingerspelling

  • When fingerspelling, what is the proper placement of your arm/hand?:

    • The signing hand should be held in a neutral position at the level of your chest, utilizing a relaxed grip.

  • What should you do if you have a double letter in your name?:

    • Sign the letter twice distinctly, with a pause in between to indicate the repetition clearly.

Throw Your Hands Up

  • Vocabulary Chart for Assessment:

    • The following presents key vocabulary required for assessments, detailing parameters necessary for proper signing.

Vocabulary List:

  • Name

    • Facial Expression/NMM: N/A

    • Handshape:

    • Dominant: H

    • Non-dominant: H

    • Location:

    • Dominant: On top of non-dominant

    • Non-dominant: Neutral in front of body

    • Orientation:

    • Dominant: In

    • Non-dominant: In

    • Movement: Tap dominant H on top of non-dominant H twice.

    • Iconic or Arbitrary: Arbitrary

  • Fingerspell

    • Facial Expression/NMM: N/A

    • Handshape: Relaxed 5

    • Location: Neutral, in front of body

    • Orientation: Out

    • Movement: Wiggle fingers and slightly move hand toward dominant side.

    • Iconic or Arbitrary: Arbitrary

  • Hello

    • Facial Expression/NMM: N/A

    • Handshape: Open B

    • Location: Dominant temple

    • Orientation: Out

    • Movement: Start with fingertips on temple; move hand out and away from face slightly.

    • Iconic or Arbitrary: Arbitrary

  • My

    • Facial Expression/NMM: N/A

    • Handshape: Open B

    • Location: Chest

    • Orientation: In toward body

    • Movement: N/A

    • Iconic or Arbitrary: Arbitrary

    • Note: In ASL, when signing pronouns, a flat hand signifies possession MY. To change the sign to MINE repeat the sign twice. To change the sign to ME/I, simply point to self.

  • Your

    • Facial Expression/NMM: N/A

    • Handshape: Open B

    • Location: Neutral, in front of body

    • Orientation: Out

    • Movement: N/A

    • Iconic or Arbitrary: Arbitrary

    • Note: In ASL, when signing pronouns, a flat hand signifies possession YOUR. To change the sign to YOURS repeat the sign twice. To change the sign to YOU, simply point directly in front of your body.

  • What

    • Facial Expression/NMM: Furrowed eyebrows

    • Handshape:

    • Dominant: Relaxed 5

    • Non-dominant: Relaxed 5

    • Location: Neutral in front of body

    • Orientation: Up

    • Movement: Bring your hands in toward each other and out again twice.

    • Iconic or Arbitrary: Arbitrary

No Talk, All Action

  • Organize major milestones of American Sign Language and Deaf culture:

    • Year | Person/Event | Impact

    • 1800s - Establishment of sign languages

    • 1817 - Founding of the first school for the Deaf in America by Thomas Gallaudet

    • 1864 - Gallaudet University is chartered to educate Deaf students.

    • 1871 - The establishment of a formal sign language system.

    • 1880 - International Congress on the Education of the Deaf which led to the banning of sign language in schools.

    • 1892 - The founding of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD).

    • 1913 - The start of Deaf advocacy for their rights.

    • 1961 - The appointment of the first Deaf president of Gallaudet University.

    • 1964 - The passage of key legislation supporting Deaf rights.

    • 1965 - Public Law 89-366 mandating the education of Deaf children.

    • 1988 - The Deaf President Now movement which leads to significant gains for the Deaf community.

    • 2011 - Continued advocacy and acknowledgment of Deaf culture in educational systems.

    • Today - A recognized culture and community, with ongoing contributions and challenges in the global context.

What’s That Phrase?

  • Use the chart to help you keep track of the vocabulary for assessments:

    • The most important aspect is that you can sign correctly and understand the signs for these terms.

Vocabulary Chart:

  • What is your name?

    • Glossed Sentence: POSS-your NAME

    • NMM: Eyebrows up on POSS-your NAME; eyebrows furrowed on WHAT

  • Hello, my name is Marcus.

    • Glossed Sentence: HELLO POSS-my NAME fs-M-A-R-C-U-S

    • NMM: Eyebrows up on HELLO.