Sign Language Interpreter Day was established in January 2003 on the initiative of the Central Board of the All-Russian Society of the Deaf. All-Russian public organization of disabled people “All-Russian Society of the Deaf” (VOG) is the largest and oldest public organization of people with hearing disabilities in Russia, formed back in 1926.
The purpose of Sign Language Interpreter Day is to draw public attention to the problems of the deaf. For comparison, if in Finland there are 300 sign language interpreters for every thousand deaf people, then in Russia there are only three. And over time, the number of sign language interpreters is only becoming smaller. At the same time, the work of a sign language interpreter is socially invaluable for the deaf community, because he is needed in court, police, tax inspectorate, for social protection, at a doctor's appointment and so on.
Typically, sign language interpreters are children of deaf parents who grew up in a “deaf” environment. You can get an education in this specialty at training centers in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
The language that sign language interpreters “speak” on screen or with their clients is sign language, and several million people around the world communicate in it. In some countries, it has long been officially recognized and is used to adapt news programs and various programs for people with hearing problems.
By the way, on October 24, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted in the first reading a bill raising the status of Russian sign language. Thanks to amendments to the laws “On Education” and “On Social Protection of Disabled People in the Russian Federation,” Russian sign language is now defined as the language of communication in the presence of hearing or speech impairments, including in the areas of oral use of the state language of the Russian Federation.
The special significance of this bill is that the official recognition of the status of the Russian sign language will make it possible to create the necessary conditions in educational institutions for the hearing impaired to receive education using sign language, to build a system of training and retraining of teachers on the basis of secondary and higher vocational educational institutions, according to the website VOGinfo.ru.
How to communicate with a person in the language of the deaf?
Sign language
First, one of the major misconceptions about sign languages is the idea that they depend on or are derived from verbal languages (audio and written) and that these languages were invented by hearing people. This is wrong. Secondly, fingerprinting of letters is often mistaken for sign languages - that is, when letters are “depicted” with hands.
The difference between dactylology and sign language, which is used by deaf people to communicate with each other, is that dactylology is used mainly to pronounce proper names, geographical names or specific terms, that is, each word is “showed” by letters by hand. At the same time, sign signs represent entire words, and in total there are more than 2000 gestures in the dictionary of the deaf. Showing some of them will not be difficult.
For example:
You can study sign language in more detail using the famous book G. L. Zaitseva“Sign speech. Dactylology".
It’s easier to get acquainted with the basics of dactylology - there is an established alphabet, and by spelling the word with signs, you can communicate with a deaf person. In Russian dactylology there are 33 dactyl signs, each of which corresponds to the outline of the corresponding letter.
Russian dactylic alphabet from the website deafnet.ru:
Note that a deaf or hard of hearing person will most likely understand what exactly you want to tell him without sign language, because for the most part they read lips very well.
There are many languages in the world, but sign language occupies a special place among them. In order to communicate with deaf and mute people, the first sign language, called Amslen, was developed in the 18th century. Subsequently, closer to the 20th century, it had many branches and interpretations. In the middle of the 20th century, to standardize the language of the deaf and dumb, an international sign language was developed - Zhestuno, which is still relevant. It is mainly based on gestures that the speaker shows with his hands, with the help of facial expressions and through various turns of the body.
In our country, Zhestuno is not popular. If in European countries there are 300 sign language interpreters per hundred deaf-mute people, then we have only 3. In 2012, amendments were introduced to the bill “On Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities” regarding sign language. The language received official status, special educational institutions were created for the training and retraining of interested people, teachers, and people with disabilities. This had a positive effect on the percentage of people willing to learn Gestuno.
- Local deaf communities provide special free classes that anyone can sign up for. In a few months you will learn the basic aspects of Gestuno and, of course, try out the acquired knowledge in practice.
- Educational sites - institutes and colleges - often include the subject “sign language” in their programs. This applies to a greater extent to social and linguistic specialties. So if you are still a student or planning to become one, then you have the opportunity to get acquainted with this subject for free.
- In the event that you cannot find free courses, there are specialized paid classes at research institutes, methodological centers, and specialized schools for the deaf and mute.
Structure of teaching the language of the deaf and mute
Let's take a closer look at what these special courses are and what you will receive upon completion of the training.
Note that there are 3 levels of Gestuno mastery, which include the following skills:
- Level 1 is a basic course for beginners, which covers basic lexical norms and practices live communication.
- Level 2 is a course for those who are already familiar with the basics. It is designed for initial acquaintance with translation skills from Gestuno.
- Level 3 – includes the improvement of linguistic skills and in-depth training in simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.
Training at levels lasts 3 months and consists of 44–50 academic hours. At the end of the course you will receive a special certificate indicating your level. But do not equate this piece of paper with the certificate of a sign language interpreter. To obtain such a crust you will need to pass a special commission. You can try your hand at this after level 2.
How to learn a deaf-mute language yourself
In addition to the methods listed above, you can learn deaf-mute gestures yourself using the following resources:
- On the Internet you will find websites that will help you learn the language of the deaf. The most popular of them is the “City of Gestures”. You will also find a lot of useful information on social networks, in specialized groups on Zhestuno. In them you will work out both the theoretical part and the practical component with like-minded people.
- Since progress does not stand still, special applications have been created for mobile devices, which are alphabet books and textbooks on sign language. Download the program to your phone and study or review the information you need in your free time.
- Books are a universal option for gaining knowledge in this area. However, this method is only suitable for those who are patient and willing to put extra effort into learning. This is due to the fact that there will be no teacher nearby who can clearly explain everything to you, and, therefore, you will need more time to understand the material.
- Video lessons are a way to learn sign language, close to special courses, but with the caveat that no one will correct you if you make mistakes. The main advantage of videos is their variety and clear, visual explanation of the material.
Where to start learning sign language on your own
Before we figure out where to start, let’s note this feature:
Gesture is confused with letter fingering, that is, drawing individual letters with your hands. Dactylology differs from the gestures of the deaf and dumb in that it is used to say proper names: cities, names of people, geographical names, etc., or to say a word for which a special gesture has not yet been invented. So keep this in mind when you start studying.
So, having chosen one of the options for self-study, find information resources and choose those that will be understandable and interesting.
- To become fluent in sign language, you must first learn the alphabet. Once you feel confident in your fingerprint skills, move on to learning nonverbal sign language. Build your lesson plan based on the difficulty levels described above. So, gradually you will be able to learn the language perfectly.
Don't forget that the most effective and quick way to learn a language is to communicate in it. So, even if you study alone, you still need to find someone to talk to. This way you can learn to express thoughts correctly and understand what a like-minded person is thinking about.
Learning Gestuno on your own is difficult, but after a while you will achieve visible results. The main thing is not to abandon learning and reinforce theoretical knowledge with practice. Sign language is no more difficult than a foreign language, so gain strength and patience and you will soon get the desired result.
Our world is diverse. It cannot be said that there are people who are exactly alike, both externally and internally. Thus, another universe, which has its own properties, is also inhabited by those who are usually called deaf-mute people. Their perception of the environment is many times different from how a person who does not have such physical disabilities understands reality.
But it is important to note that the sign language of the deaf and dumb has the same versatility and colorfulness as that of a healthy person. The dictionary contains more than 2,000 gestures. And gesture signs are entire words, so showing and learning some of them will not be difficult.
Nonverbal sign language
Before getting into the dictionary of sign language, it would be appropriate to note that one of the misconceptions about it is that it depends on the verbal language that we use every day (sound and written) or that it allegedly originated from the latter, and even that the language of the deaf was founded by a hearing person. Moreover, it is generally accepted incorrectly that gestures of a silent language are accepted as fingerprinting of letters. That is, letters are depicted with hands. But that's not true.
In this language, dactylology is used to pronounce place names, specific terms and proper names. It is very easy to get acquainted with its basics since there is an established alphabet. And you will be able to easily communicate with a deaf-mute person by spelling out the word using gestures. Sign language for the deaf in Russian dactylology has 33 dactyl signs.
Sign language lessons
More detailed information about the language of the deaf and mute can be found in the book by G.L. Zaitseva. "Gesture speech" Let's take a more detailed look at the most common gestures.
If you are asking the question: “Do I, a healthy person, need to know such a language?”, the answer is simple - sometimes there is not a lot of knowledge, sometimes it is not in demand. But perhaps one day, thanks to them, you will be able to help, for example, a lost deaf-mute.
- Silent language interpreters are state-certified professionals who have gone through years of training to become highly skilled sign language interpreters. In most countries, there are certain rules about who can be a sign language interpreter in the fields of law, medicine, education, sociology and psychology. The fact that you have memorized the entire sign language dictionary does not give you the right to translate, for example, in such a situation, if you saw an accident on the road and a deaf-mute person wants to say something to the police. Every law enforcement officer knows that when a deaf person is involved in an incident, a professional and certified sign language interpreter must be called.
- Hearing people acquire knowledge of language through a pair of eyes and a pair of ears from an early age. Remember that many of your deaf and mute friends have never heard spoken words, which a hearing person takes for granted. Never assume that if a deaf-mute person does not write as well as he or she does, that means he or she is less intelligent than you. Know that when you communicate using sign language, you are also far from perfect.
- If you are learning a sign, don't assume that a deaf person should be ready to step away and start helping you learn the language and hone your skills at a moment's notice. If you want to meet a specific deaf person, be polite. Say hello if the situation allows it, but do not get involved in the person’s personal circumstances.
- There are a huge number of sign communication systems, such as Sign Supported Speech (SSS), Seeing Essential English (SEE) and Signing Exact English (SEE2). They were created by people outside the culture in which they are used, that is, by hearing people for the deaf and dumb. These are not natural languages for meaningful and effective communication.
- Deaf and mute people value their personal space no less than hearing people. If you are learning signs, please do not stare at deaf families or groups of people in restaurants or other public places. Even if you look at the use of language with admiration, it is still very unnerving.
- Never invent signs yourself. ASL is a universally recognized language, not a mimicry game. If you don't know a symbol, show it spelled out and ask a deaf person to translate it for you. These gestures were invented by the deaf community, and it would be very strange if a hearing person started creating gestures.
- No dictionary in any language is exhaustive. For example, one of the links gives you only one translation of the word "abbreviate", a sign for shortening. And this common sign has another translation - “to thicken” (two hands folded in the shape of the letter C at chest level are clenched into fists). Remember that many different characters can be the same as one English word, and vice versa.
New for 2015 – release of a CD for teaching Russian sign language "Let's get acquainted!". These are specially designed videos for hearing people who want to learn about Deaf culture and language.
The course was developed by specialists Center for Education of the Deaf and Sign Language named after Zaitseva.
Brief information about the deaf and hard of hearing.
- 100 most used gestures
- Video clips about the rules of communication with the deaf.
- Common phrases/dialogues used in communication.
The release of the disc was made possible thanks to the VOG project “Let’s Preserve and Recognize the Diversity of the Russian Sign Language”, financial support was partially provided by the Russkiy Mir Foundation.
Chapter IT IS IMPORTANT contains gestures:
I
YOU
DEAF
HEARING
TRANSFER
TO HELP
BE IN LOVE
YES
NO
CAN
IT IS FORBIDDEN
HELLO
GOODBYE
THANK YOU
Chapter QUESTIONS contains gestures:
WHO?
WHAT?
WHERE?
WHERE?
FOR WHAT?
WHY?
WHERE?
WHICH?
WHOSE?
HOW?
WHEN?
Chapter WHO WHAT contains gestures:
WOMAN
MAN
HUMAN
MOTHER
DAD
HUSBAND WIFE)
FRIEND
DOCTOR
CAT
DOG
ADDRESS
MOBILE PHONE)
INTERNET
CITY
BUS
CAR
METRO
TRAM
TROLLEYBUS
MINISTRUTKA
TAXI
AIRPLANE
TRAIN
AIRPORT
RAILWAY STATION
SHOP
MARKET
BANK
HOSPITAL
POLICE
SCHOOL
JOB
Chapter WHAT DO WE DO? contains gestures:
EAT
WAS
DID NOT HAVE
WILL
WILL NOT
UNDERSTAND
DO NOT UNDERSTAND
KNOW
DONT KNOW
SPEAK
WRITE
WANT
DO NOT WANT
REMEMBER
DO
REPLY
ASK
Chapter HOW – WHAT? contains gestures:
FINE
BADLY
FINE
HURT
SLOWLY
FAST
FEW
A LOT OF
COLD
HOT
DANGEROUS
BEAUTIFUL
DELICIOUS
SMART
KIND
CALM
Chapter WHEN? contains gestures:
TODAY
YESTERDAY
TOMORROW
MORNING
DAY
EVENING
NIGHT
A WEEK
MONTH
YEAR
Chapter DACTYLOLOGY contains symbols of letters of the Russian alphabet.
Chapter NUMERALS contains designations of numbers.
Chapter LET'S TALK
I love you.
What is your name?
How old are you?
Do you study or work?
Where do you work?
I need a job.
I live in Russia.
Give me your address.
Send me an email.
I'll send you an SMS.
Let's go for a walk.
It is dangerous to ride a bicycle here.
Do you have a car?
I have a driver's license.
Do you want tea or coffee?
Be careful, the milk is hot.
I have a deaf son.
This is a good kindergarten for deaf children.
Do you have deaf teachers?
Parents of deaf children should know sign language.
My daughter is hard of hearing, she has a hearing aid, but she does not need a cochlear implant!
Good translators are needed everywhere.
I want to watch movies with subtitles.
There are many talented deaf artists and actors in Russia.
I need a translator.
Should you call a doctor?
Do you want to drink?
I like kids.
Let's go play.
Chapter IT IS NECESSARY contains phrases in sign language:
I am deaf.
I am hard of hearing.
I can not hear.
I know some signs.
Do you know sign language? – I don’t know gestures very well, but I know dactylology.
Can I help you?
Do you need an interpreter?
Where do you live?
Where are you from?
Where is the bus-stop?
The metro station is close.
I'm thirsty.
Where is the toilet?
This section provides rules for communicating with deaf people and simple dialogues in sign language.
RULES FOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE
Rules for communicating with people with hearing impairments:
- look the interlocutor in the face, do not turn away during the conversation.
- do not raise your voice, but clearly articulate.
- use the services of a sign language interpreter.
- transmit information in writing by any means.
The main ways to attract the attention of the deaf and hard of hearing:
- pat on the shoulder.
- hand waving.
- knock on the table.
The disc also contains the brochure “What would you like to know about the deaf”, published by the Central Board of the All-Russian Society of the Deaf? International Day of the Deaf. It briefly summarizes general information about deaf people and how to communicate with them. The brochure is written primarily in a question-and-answer format, making it very easy to read.
