This is the problem faced by deaf people who are dependent on sign language.

For many signing deaf children, only a small number of family members can sign. Usually one, sometimes both parents and probably brothers and sisters but fewer aunts, grandparents, neighbours. Remember ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’? Only the deaf man’s brother could communicate directly with him — none of the others in that close-knit group showed any command of sign language.

“A lady was walking behind us the other day as we were going to school. Ross, severely deaf, aged four, was talking away non-stop as usual and the lady smiled’ as she passed. “He’s a right little chatterbox, isn’t he?” she commented. I wouldn’t have it any other way and neither would Ross.”

On the other hand, everybody in your family and community already shares a common language. If it is not English, the chances are that most people speak English as well. The sound of language surrounds us all the time, in the home, on the street, on the radio and TV We talk to share information, feelings, dreams, ideas; we gossip, we chat, we joke — in the language we share with those we live and work with.

“Nicky, profoundly deaf fake’s mother, said “The other day I asked him where his shoes were and he ran straight to the cupboard and got them. Any mother would be pleased if their 18-month-old did that, but for us it was a great milestone. We never thought we would get anything that sounded like a word out of him. Now he talks so much we sometimes have to tell him to be quiet!”

With the right hearing aids and the right support and help your deaf child can use his or her tiny bit of hearing to learn to talk, naturally and effectively. Then they can speak for themselves for the rest of their lives.

* Note: For a deaf child born to deaf parents, this may be sign language. These parents will also naturally want to share their language with their child. They may also want their deaf child to speak which is also possible.

Contents list - Next part