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| Thread ID: 40559 | 2003-12-11 04:09:00 | OT: Helping People with Disablities and the Law/Policy of it | csinclair83 (200) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 199435 | 2003-12-12 00:42:00 | Thanxs Cathy, when i started my course 18 months ago, i didnt know the possible usefulness of have extra papers and helper / notetaker option would have helped me, as i have managed in the past, and was not diagnosed as such impaired till after id been through numerous other polytech and Uni training, would have helped majorly then, but not so much now, life skills have helped overcome a lot of problems. i personally struggle with the idea i will not hear one day, i wont hear my children's laughter or my name being called or even my favourite music.... and am making the most of each and every day i have, working on the positive not the negative...... thank you for the input, and yes if i think of anything more i will ask, actually nice to have a nice helpful person able to answer some silly basic questions, which in time i may be able to answer from past experience. one i do have is, if you are notetaking to what is being signed, does that mean you miss lots? or do you just read / watch the sign and hope to have a notetaker or someother person in your class to share what has been written? Muchly Appreciated. beetle |
beetle (243) | ||
| 199436 | 2003-12-12 00:52:00 | > just a bit off topic here - how has this thread become so wide (having to scroll left/right all the time)? Blame Murray P and his ranting. :-( If you don't mind me going slightly off topic here, can either Chris, Sam or Caffy tell me how easy/difficult it is to learn sign language? I know it would be easier if one was able to practice with a "signer" everyday but would it be as difficult to pick up as learning another language such as French/German, etc? How long would it take for someone to be able to converse reasonably fluently with deaf people? Probably quite a long time with just weekly classes I would say, but would you be talking (or signing :p) several years at that rate or is it quicker to pick up than that? |
Susan B (19) | ||
| 199437 | 2003-12-12 02:05:00 | Well, there are different levels of NZSL . . . Level One, Level Two and Level Three if i am right - i haven't actually gone to classes, i just learnt from my deaf mates . I think it depends on how often you go to classes, and interact with other people who sign as well . Most interpreters (and 'terp students) I know of, they often go to Deaf club, or Deaf events to polish up their signing skills, and to keep up with new signs etc . After completing Level one I think you can have a basic conversation with a Deaf person . . . and your knowledge of signs and composing sentences improve greatly with each Level you complete . One thing I find hard is remembering signs for a particular meaning . I . e one word might have multiple ways for signing it, depending on what the context is . "I like ice-cream" and " . . . like, for example . . . . . " - Like has two different meanings in those sentences, and therefore will be signed differently . . . I am keen on going to a Deaf Studies course to learn properly about NZSL's grammar, syntax etc . . . even though I am Deaf, it doesn't mean I automatically know everything about NZSL :) Anyway, I hope I haven't put anyone off from learning NZSL - it is indeed complex (just like any other language), but its a fantastic language to learn, and you also learn about the Deaf culture as well . . . I reckon its easier to learn NZSL than a foreign spoken language . caffy :) |
caffy (2665) | ||
| 199438 | 2003-12-12 02:07:00 | > one i do have is, if you are notetaking to what is > being signed, does that mean you miss lots? or do you > just read / watch the sign and hope to have a > notetaker or someother person in your class to share > what has been written? I did try to take my own notes at the same time as watching the interpreter but it got so difficult and it was literally impossible!! So i gave up on that and relied on asking mates for some notes. AUT have said they will provide an interpreter and a notetaker for me, if i do courses there next year, which will take a lot of stress off me. |
caffy (2665) | ||
| 199439 | 2003-12-12 02:07:00 | > If you don't mind me going slightly off topic here, > can either Chris, Sam or Caffy tell me how > easy/difficult it is to learn sign language? I know > it would be easier if one was able to practice with a > "signer" everyday but would it be as difficult to > pick up as learning another language such as > French/German, etc? You answered it right there, it would be just as difficult as any other language and depending on your personality it could take longer as Sign is visual and that can suppress the willingness to learn as you immediately draw attention to yourself . How long would it take for > someone to be able to converse reasonably fluently > with deaf people? Probably quite a long time with > just weekly classes I would say, but would you be > talking (or signing :p) several years at that rate or > is it quicker to pick up than that? Again you answered your own question . Some people pick up languages quicker than others and unfortunately age (too much of it :p ) makes learning another language difficult as well . Regular usage is the key to learning any language and to become fluent will take a long time but it depends at what level you need to Sign . I have been signing for over 10 years . I learnt through total immersion and I use it everyday so for me it is second nature now . The levels of interpreting I can be involved in means that my skills would be way beyond what would be required for just casual conversation . The best way to learn is via night classes to get a taste and see if you want to take it further then look at more advanced classes (although can be hard to find in smaller towns) but the best way to learn is to be involved in the Deaf community . |
sam m (517) | ||
| 199440 | 2003-12-12 02:23:00 | > > I am keen on going to a Deaf Studies course to learn > properly about NZSL's grammar, syntax etc . . . even > though I am Deaf, it doesn't mean I automatically > know everything about NZSL :) Go for it! I believe that Deaf students should be taught in their own language and also about their own language . Why do you think that there is a subject called "English" in schools . > Anyway, I hope I haven't put anyone off from learning > NZSL - it is indeed complex (just like any other > language), but its a fantastic language to learn, and > you also learn about the Deaf culture as well . . . I > reckon its easier to learn NZSL than a foreign spoken > language . I second this . Well thought out and well written post Caffy . Do you mind if I ask what part of the country you are in . By the way, are they running Deaf Studies at Victoria next year? I heard it was on hold > sam |
sam m (517) | ||
| 199441 | 2003-12-12 11:02:00 | I live in Auckland now, but I grew up in Whangarei . Deaf Studies is on hold for next year at Victoria University because the lecturers (who are married) have recently had a new baby :) There is also a Deaf Studies course at AUT, did you know that? Run by the same people who run the Interpreters course, with some lecturers from other areas like Maori etc . |
caffy (2665) | ||
| 199442 | 2003-12-13 00:21:00 | Thanks for the info Sam and Caffy. :-) | Susan B (19) | ||
| 199443 | 2003-12-13 00:46:00 | >The best way to learn is via night classes to get a taste and see if you want to take it further then look at more advanced classes (although can be hard to find in smaller towns) but the best way to learn is to be involved in the Deaf community. I took lessons in Signing when I was at High School. It was offered free to any student interested in learning and was held in your lunchtime. My High School was located next to a major School for the Deaf, so we had students that used to attend some of our classes as well. It was quite nice to be able to communicate (very basically) with them even if it was just to say "hello" in their own language. Unfortunately due to lack of use, I have long since forgotten it all. Was quite fun learning it though :) |
Jen C (20) | ||
| 199444 | 2003-12-13 01:01:00 | At Dunedin Poly, they also provide a nappy changing service for mothers with babies that have returned to study. | Baldy (26) | ||
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