Mishka Zena

23 Responses to “One Speaker Didn’t Sign in Gallaudet Video. What The Heck???”

1. J.J. Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 10:11 am

   Just my two cents, but I think you are reading too much into this.

   1.) It is a holiday video.

   2.) There are people that don’t sign at Gally…not many, but a few.

   (Shrugs)

2. Eddie Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 10:28 am

   Well, the person is from Nigeria, perhaps she doesn’t feel comfortable signing in ASL yet, or ASL is still new to her, etc. she was obviously oral deaf or hard of hearing, or a CI user. At any rate, the key word (besides ASL of course) is diversity. I think Gallaudet is attempting to show via this person’s inclusion on the video, that they welcome the oral deaf or hard of hearing communities as well. I don’t think it’s really that big of a deal, Mishka, as every other person on there signed. I can remember my first semester on campus, as I was also a new signer, and if someone had approached me for a project like this, I would have declined, or asked if I could speak while it was captioned. Now, it is different, and I would gladly sign, but the comfort level of the person should be considered by you on this. Just my opinion.

3. Mishka Zena Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 10:40 am

   I don’t think so. This video is also a marketing tool, therefore it carries great importance. The bilingual environment is what makes Gallaudet the way it is. Showing a person violating the university ‘s own communication policy isn’t the best way to market Gallaudet in a positive light. It may be insignificant to you, but to the public, it speaks volumes. A savvy public relations dept won’t have done this unless it wants to convey the message not signing is acceptable. Is this the message we want to see from Gallaudet…. unless we want Gallaudet to imply to oral deaf and hearing students it’s ok to enroll at gally without learning sign language at all? As of now, it isn’t OK. Yet we have a video saying it is OK. A big contradiction there.

4. Eddie Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 11:04 am

   No, because they are trying to demonstrate inclusiveness. Will this make it seem less imposing to the hard of hearing/oral deaf/CI user out there who may be considering Gallaudet? Yes, and that will be a good thing. It was made VERY clear to me that I was expected to learn and use sign language when I was accepted at Gallaudet, including classes for new signers being offered. Now, if they don’t still offer those classes, then yes, there is a problem. But if they do offer them, then there is nothing wrong with this video at all. And it is not that it is insignificant to me, I want and encourage all with any level of hearing loss to learn sign language. It is just that I believe you are reading WAY too much into this.

   I knew barely 50 signs when I started at Gally, and fingerspelled a ton, yet I was still admitted. How do we know, just from this video, that this person knows no sign language at all? We don’t. As I mentioned in my first response, perhaps they are a new signer, or new to ASL (being from a different country), and comfort level played a part in that person’s choice, as well as the University’s choice to use her in the video.

   I know plenty of people from Gallaudet back in the very early 90′s who chose to primarily speak because they felt uncomfortable with their sign skills initially. If enrollment increases and those newbies continue to learn sign, there is a true inclusiveness implied and demonstrated by saying “We welcome ALL with a hearing loss, and will teach you to sign as well so you have total access to communication across a variety of languages, English/ASL, etc.” Just my opinion.

5. Mishka Zena Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 11:06 am

   Gallaudet was where I first learned how to sign. Yet after few weeks, I always signed. I’ve always felt voicing and not signing on a signing campus is disrespectful to other deaf people by leaving them out. I would have signed for the video or bow out. we’ll need to agree to disagree here

6. Ann_C Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 11:58 am

   “Gallaudet University presents…” is also spoken.

   At the end of the video, Alan Hurwitz spoke as well as signed. The woman from Nigeria may very well have not mastered ASL yet, so she spoke her part. At least all the spoken parts were subtitled, so that all deaf can understand the messages.

   The holiday greetings include ppl from around the world who discussed how they celebrate this time of year. It was about the diversity of celebration, not about who speaks and who signs, for pete’s sake. I find it enlightening that Gally included diversity of communication modes as well.

   Ann_C

7. Dianrez Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 1:01 pm

   It does seem that Gallaudet wanted to send a message that all kinds of deaf people are welcome, including nonsigners, and by corollary, hints that it is all right for people to leave Gallaudet still not signing.

   If that was not the intention, then this video is wrong to include the oral person. It obscured the overall intent of the video: to showcase the diversity of people on campus. It took away from the richness of its multiculturalism by introducing an ASL-oral dichotomy which is a totally different thing.

   It reminds us of an ugly face of oralism: exclusion of those who live by and depend on sign language for a variety of reasons. I would have preferred instead to see people using voice with sign (combined method) rather than see someone only flapping lips. Leave that to the Hearing world, please.

8. A. Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 1:35 pm

   I just wonder, when we see spoken language everywhere, why does it have to happen at Gallaudet? And why in a marketing tool? I did feel that old ache in my heart re-open. Maybe part of it was I was watching the video without captions, really enjoying the information, when suddenly that access was abpruptly shut off. No warning. It was a bit of a slap in face.

   And my understanding of bilingualism? I might be off base here, but where’s the ASL in that video? There’s spoken English and written English. But no ASL. Maybe it would have been helpful to have someone in a video in the corner providing that ASL access?

   I think members of our community understand what a deep wound it is, having people speak without signing. There’s history there. It’s a cultural taboo, and the decision to go incorporate spoken English (especially without ASL) feels disrespectful to at least one cultural group and community. A bit ironic, given the theme of diversity.

   I will share, however, that I was excited to see something like this- I learned a lot about different traditions and cultures. Always room for improvement.

9. Judge Says:
   December 13th, 2011 at 1:40 pm

   Embarrassing!

   Merry Hanukkah!

10. Mishka Zena Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    Eddie, I got you beaten I went to Gally, knowing only two signs. These two words were ‘Gallaudet’ and ‘College’. Talk about a tremendous cultural and linguistic shock! lol.

    Kidding aside, the problem is that the video doesn’t make clear that all students are expected to learn sign language. It gives the impression it’s fine for a student to remain oral. We, much less the public, don’t even know if this is a new signer or not. perhaps she is an employee. there is no clue as nothing is mentioned regarding her status.

    Ann C., I know you would have no objections As of now. Gallaudet isn’t designed for non signers. i think it will. in fact, i’m betting my money on it. I’m seeing this as one of the first steps to introduce Gallaudet as an university practicing diversity in communication. SLCC was introduced as Deaf centric bldg and only later did people understand it’s nothing but a glorified speech and hearing center. The percentage of hearing undergraduate students (HUGS) had been increased as of last year and allegedly is expected to increase further. The signs are already there.

    I was and still am an oralist. I still switch from signing to oracy back and forth, so for me, it’s not an issue. But it’s a big issue for others who cannot understand spoken english at all.

    Gallaudet should be more transparent.

11. A Deaf Pundit Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    I think this really is a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation. Do I think this is enough to berate Gallaudet about? No. But nor do I think people should just let it lie.

    The message being sent in this video, where they’re showing one person who does not sign, is definitely something that raises my eyebrow.

    I would like to see the Gallaudet PR and the Diversity and Inclusion Office clarify what they were trying to convey when they included the non-signing person in the video.

    Because this, to me, sends the message that non-signers are welcome at Gallaudet, and that they do not have to learn ASL. Which DOES contradict Gallaudet’s fundamental mission and vision. To educate students in American Sign Language. To NOT have any communication barriers there at the university.

    I understand the goal of inclusivity, but I think people need to understand that to be truly inclusive, there needs to be no communication barriers. And that’s what Gallaudet has always been all about.

    A place where the deaf could finally come and learn without inordinately struggling to communicate with their peers and teachers.

    That’s the magic of Gallaudet. Without that, Gallaudet is just another university.

    If it was Gallaudet’s intention to say that non-signers are welcome only because they respect and recognize the need for ASL for the Deaf Community, (and want and are learning the language), then the university and offices who produced this video needs to clarify and change their message so it’s reflected accurately.

    That’s my 2 cents.

12. Ann_C Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    Hey, I’m not fluent in sign language and yes, my first language is spoken English. Just because I’m not fluent in ASL doesn’t mean I’m against the use of ASL in Gally videos, but this video is a holiday greetings thing, not something I’d wax over and declare it implies it’s ok to be a non-signer.

    If the video was about how Gally imparts deaf culture and sign language for its deaf student population or about its education programs, then I would wonder why an oral deaf or hearing person would be speaking and not signing at all in such videos. I do understand about Gally’s policy on the use of ASL so that all deaf would understand messages.

    But keep in mind that not all deaf are ASL fluent. It was considerate that the Gally video included subtitles all the same, whether the person signed or spoke. We’ve seen on DR the subject of ASL vs. spoken English, and how both sides decry the lack of subtitling or captioning, whether ASL vlog or spoken English vlog. I think some ppl misconstrue the speaking in this video as oppressive oralism, another one of those political footballs that go nowhere when the effort was made to include subtitles, regardless of the communication mode.

    Gally actually went the extra mile. And I hope Gally will do this with ALL their videos, signing or speaking.

    And Happy holidays to all!

    Ann_C

13. A Deaf Pundit Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    I can understand where you’re coming from, Ann_C, but I have to respectfully disagree.

    The reason for that is because I don’t think this is *just* a holiday greeting thing. It’s a marketing ad. With this video, not only is Gallaudet wishing everyone Happy Holidays, but they’re also showcasing their commitment to diversity and inclusion. That is blatantly an advertisement.

    We have Dr. Angela McCaskill, the Diversity Officer introduce the ad and explain that this was produced by the Diversity and Inclusion Office. Then we have a cast where they expound about the holidays that are celebrated in their respective cultures.

    The overall message being given from this ad is that Gallaudet is truly a diverse place. Just like any other university.

    That’s why the non-signer aspect really bugs me. It appears to be a subtle message that Gallaudet is no longer the place that it has been for the last 200 years – a safe harbor for American Sign Language and its users.

    Gallaudet can and MUST be diverse and inclusive. But not at the expense of American Sign Language, and nor at the expense of the university’s mission.

14. patti Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    I assume Oluyinka is Hearing and since she knows the videotape will be captioned, she is opting to go with spoken English rather than ASL which might be a third or fourth acquired language for her?

    i guess if Gallaudet wanted to be consistent start to finish they could have had someone signing ASL what she was saying in English.

    I liked how the video showed all the variety of ways folks celebrate various holidays – i wish they had added images of the symbols / items used with that holiday and/or food

    makes me wish they could bring back a type of Deaf Mosaic program for more regular programming.

    Thanks for sharing the video

    and happy holidays folks

    peace

    patti

15. Ann_C Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    FYI, Deaf Pundit, Gally is NOT “Deaf Side”.

    Yes, the university MUST be diverse and inclusive. But not at the expense of either ASL or spoken English.

    After all, the university is situated in Washington, DC, the national center of this USA. If it were to discriminate against deaf students on account of their spoken English, you can bet its charter would be retracted in a New York minute.

    Ann_C

16. A Deaf Pundit Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    I think you’re misunderstanding me, Ann_C.

    I never said that Gallaudet should not admit deaf students who speak English. And nor do I think anyone is advocating that.

    I am saying that Gallaudet should not admit deaf students, or have staff/faculty who will NOT learn and/or use American Sign Language.

    Gallaudet IS the Deaf Side. It has been for over 200 years. And I have to wonder why that bothers people so much, since there’s literally hundreds and hundreds of colleges and universities today where deaf people can go, if they do not desire to use American Sign Language in their education experience.

    You want to talk the talk and walk the walk of diversity and inclusion? Let’s explore that subject, Ann_C. Because that goes to the heart of diversity and inclusion.

    Why is not American Sign Language tolerated, and why is there, by all appearances, an effort to chip away at Gallaudet’s safe harbor for it?

17. Ann_C Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    DP, who ever said that the Nigerian speaker or the president of the university who also spoke doesn’t tolerate ASL?

    If the Nigerian speaker is an employee at Gally (as I’ve already browsed McConnell’s blog on this matter), would she have remained hired if she had the attitude of oralism, not tolerating ASL and working in an ASL environment at the same time? She is bilingual, to say the least, in her native language and English.

    Would Alan Hurwitz, who is Gally’s president, have been hired if he had the attitude of oralism, speaking in an all ASL environment? He included signing in his message, a reflection of his bilingualism and his culture.

    You’re implying something that isn’t there.

18. Mishka Zena Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    Patti, yes, i think an interpreter would have made a tremendous difference as that maintains the mission statement of bilingualism.

    Ann C, I’m not sure if we are on the same track. Gallaudet recruits many oral deaf and hearing students with the understanding that they master sign language at Gallaudet. The institution’s primary languages are sign language and written english. Not all deaf people can understand Spoken English as it’s mostly inaccessible to those without usable residual hearing. The reason for the existence of Gallaudet in the first place is the use of sign language as the primary language fully accessible to the students. To this day, no other university and college, including NTID/RIT and CSUN, is fully accessible to deaf people using sign language like Gally. Without this visual language requirement, then Gallaudet becomes another university not fully accessible to Deaf people unable to speak, hear, and lipread. Some students don’t do well with interpreters. Where do they go?

19. Mishka Zena Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    A new employee will be hired without knowledge of sign language but is required to take sign language classes and must pass ASL skills and fluency test to continue being employed. If this employee is a teacher, an interpreter will be temporarily assigned until she masters sign language.

    Bilingualism at Gallaudet means written English and ASL. Speaking in an aural native language and English don’t meet the bilingualism requirement of Gallaudet, though technically she is bilingual.

    This video is not just a holiday greeting, but also a marketing tool. It’s very unfortunate that Gallaudet didn’t adhere to its bilingualism as required by the mission statement. The video is already captioned for oral deaf people. There is no sign language translation for the Nigerian speaker.

20. Ann_C Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    MZ,

    I understand you well enough about Gally being the only accessible university to those deaf who don’t understand spoken English.

    The point I’m trying to make here is that Gally also needs to take into account the diversity of deaf ppl, from those who can’t hear, speak or lipread spoken English yet can sign to those deaf who can’t sign but can hear, speak and lipread spoken English and those deaf who can do everything between. How will it ever play to its strength in visual sign language, if it appeals to only those deaf who sign? It’s like preaching to the choir.

    I don’t think Gally is trying subterfuge with ASL; rather I think it’s trying to broaden its appeal with an inclusive holiday greetings. You wanna make a mountain out of a molehill, then take it up with Gally’s communications dept.

21. Mishka Zena Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    i grew up oral. i do get why this omission is significant because i’ve opened my mind to culturally Deaf people and their world. Those with oral backgrounds not immersed in Deaf culture will think i’m making a mountain out of a molehill as to them it appears to be insignificant. This shows how little they understand culturally Deaf people. Many Deaf people are upset about this. I am glad I understand the issues. I am sorry to see that hearing people and deaf people don’t have enough sensitivity to try to figure what the problem is. Pooh poohing or criticizing those who do understand why this is a major insult to culturally Deaf people isn’t constructive, reflecting a profound lack of respect for culturally Deaf people and their feelings.

22. Dave I. Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    This is strange indeed. Would the Sorbonne put out a video that included an English-speaking student? I wouldn’t think so. Definitely seems contrary to the vision statement: Just how can a hearing individual pursue a career “related to deaf and hard of hearing people” without knowledge of ASL?

23. Mishka Zena Says:
    December 13th, 2011 at 10:40 pm

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