It’s a common scenario: You’re at a public setting when your eyes catch the blur of animated hands. Whether it’s a deaf family at a county fair or deaf teens at the mall, there are two instincts: To stare in fascination or, if you’ve been signing with your child regularly, to join the silent conversation.
The question is, does etiquette fit instinct? In most cases: Absolutely. Many tourist books say that natives of a foreign country are put at ease when you make sincere attempts at learning their language. Similar guidelines* apply to an initial encounter with Deaf Culture:
- Say hello, state your name and ID yourself as a hearing person learning Sign Language
- Make sure you’ve mastered the signs SLOW + AGAIN + DON’T UNDERSTAND.
- If an interpreter is present, remember to look and talk to the deaf person – not the interpreter
Deaf people may initially seem almost interrogational, which is their cultural way of building rapport. Be prepared for questions about where you work, grew up and live now, as well as your marital status and why you are interested in ASL.
In short, a random encounter with a deaf family can be a very positive learning experience for both parties. Seize the moment!
*Source: “The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Conversational Sign Language” by Carole Lazorizak and Dawn Donohue
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