I have a very strong connection to all kind of languages and I would eally love to learn more languages and get better and better.

But one of my favorite languages is SIGN LANGUAGE… And I am going to tell you something about my experience.

What is a sign language?

SL is a specific type of language used by deaf people. Sign language differ from other languages in many ways. The main thing is usage of words, in all languages you use your mouth for communication, instead you use your hands and you move your mouth how you would say the word. Sign language has many hands positions, that can mean several things. If you would use the same hand position in differend area of your body, it means something different. From the experts perspective SL is as rich as complex as any other spoken language. SL is from many experts as complex and as rich as the spoken languages.

Culture

Many deaf have better sight or smell than others. One of their sences is missing, but other are working perfectly. Bunch of deaf I know have perfect eyes. Their eyes are like cameras.

Just few deaf people speak perfectly czech, because they obviously did not hear the words, they are trying to say. Many try to speak, but sometimes, they make a weird sounding word. But when you learn signing it is a help for you, when your teacher tries to speak to you.

The deaf culture differs in many ways. For example deaf, even they don´t know you, they just call you „you“/ty/ or „Hi“. Nothing like when you are hearing, you do call the person that you don´t know „Good morning“.

Many deaf people I know are so inspiring. They can do whatever they want, and bunch of them are so talented in many talents. For example my SL teacher is deaf. She can bake, teach, she also makes lovely cakes and ceramics. I find her really inspirational.

There is a myth that deaf do not go to concerts or festive balls. Many deaf people love music. They don´t hear it, but feel it with their body.

Deaf people love to take pictures. One deaf photographer took pictures of me and I absolutely loved it.

Relationship with spoken language

Of course it is hard to understand normal speaking. Many deaf people have problem with communication with hearing people. Usually when hearing people realize that they have something to do with deaf person, they stop talking and they try to avoid takling to them. This is a very wrong behavior. You should start just to talk a little slower, not to stop talking. This type of behavior is strongly used by people working in offices of the city hall. I really think they should employ more people that sign, or just some assistans.

My relationship to SL

I started to sign 1 year ago and I absolutley love it. First i was not sure about my signing but I got to the role of deaf so much, that I´m planning to continue with improving my sign skills. I can see myself in the future, working with deaf and fighting for their culture and society.