Quiescent Voices

any deaf drivers here drives stick (manual) transmission and love stick (manual)?

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:49:45 GMT

last week, I looked and test drove a Toyota pickup with a 5 speed stick transmission.
thanks to youtube and internet instructions. It was not that hard for me to start and slowly drive the truck. I know many trucks come with stick trans. I need to learn more and get hang of the stick trans.
I wonder if there is any deaf drivers here who drives and love stick transmission and hates automatics.

how do you deal with need to shift up and down without hearing?
use tachometer or just feeling?

btw, I do not wear hearing aids.

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:04:50 GMT

Does anybody remember the old relay option where I'd talk and relay would type what they say back? Does that still exist?

Special issue on deafness of G2 section of the Guardian newspaper

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:45:07 GMT

This is in the issue dated October 10: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/deaf . It has some really interesting articles.

They explain here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2008/oct/10/deaf-community - why they produced the issue. When a deaf person joined the team, they realised through their training and subsequent conversations with her that there was a lot they didn't know about deaf culture today, and that a new mood is emerging among deaf people. Before their deaf awareness workshop this summer, they didn't know that many deaf people feel excluded from news websites.

Question About Deaf Theater.

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:43:32 GMT

Well in my ASL course we learned a little bit about Gil Eastman. I understand that when he translated Antigone into ASL he had it voiced in ASL rather than English for the hearing people in the audience.

What I can't seem to figure out now is whether or not people still voice some ASL plays in ASL rather than English, or if they are just performed in ASL but voiced in English. For instance, I know the he wrote Sign Me Alice, was this voiced in ASL or was it translated to English for voicing?

I tried searching the interent to figure this out but I can't really find anything so I thought maybe someone here might have an answer.

Please Help!

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:32:43 GMT

This is for my friend, but I wasn't able to be of any help for her.

We are working on noun verb pairs and we are supposed to find an example of a pair where the noun has one movement and the verb has two moments as opposed to the normal with the verb being one movement and the noun being two. I have been working on this for days and have not been able to come up with anything. Marta

Any help is appreciated!

ETA: Thanks! She was able to use one of the examples here.

Political Signs?

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:54:12 GMT

Are there different signs for Obama/McCain/Etc...? Or is it all just fingerspelled?

Thanks!

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:30:35 GMT

For those interested in politics, you might appreciate this article:
Obama campaign reaches out to deaf community.

The Obama campaign has been making some unprecidented steps to help empower people in the deaf community to get involved in the national elections. Apparently, Barack Obama knows some basic sign language, which he has been using on the campaign trail.

There has also been an active group of deaf individuals using YouTube to communicate with others about the issues, with many of their videos getting thousands of views. Some of the most viewed ASL political videos include "Let Our Voices Be Heard! (How?)" and "FDR and Obama"

If you haven't registered to vote yet, you can do so online by going to http://www.VoteForChange.com . It only takes a minute, and there are only a few days left to register in some states, so please do so today. Thanks!

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:04:53 GMT

About two or three weeks ago I was browsing the internet for full videos of tv shows and I found a site that not only had them, but allowed you to watch them in closed caption. Only problem now, is I have no idea what site that was, I've tried looking with no luck (should have bookmarked it). So I figured this would be a good place to ask, anyone know any sites with TV Shows and caption that's free? I'd be so grateful.

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:48:36 GMT

Hello everyone, my name is Justin. Earlier this year I had a chance encounter with a young lady who couldn't hear, and until then I had never experienced any part of deaf culture up close. It fascinated me, because while signing is for communicative uses, I also find it very beautiful to watch. Shortly afterward I had a life changing injury that forced me to re-evaluate where I stand and what I'd like to do with my life.

When I first came across Amelia, is was at a local Best Buy. I was in a foul mood already for some reason or another. Around here, there a lot of laziness at retail stores, and sadly that was my first thought when I was being waved to her register. (My first thought being, "Why didn't she just call out?"). That was followed by her pointing to a sign asking if I was a member of the Best Buy Rewards Zone. I was so exasperated that I rolled my eyes pretty blatantly. Of course, as I rolled my eyes I saw the other sign. "Hello my name is Amelia, and I am a deaf store employee. Please be patient with me." Of course I felt like the biggest jerk walking the earth. Her mom happened by when she was having trouble reading my lips as I was giving her my phone number. I apologized to her (through her mothers interpretation) and we ended up talking, the three of us, for a few minutes. I didn't look her in the eye until all the miscommunication was sorted out. I won't lie, this girl had the most amazing eyes I have ever seen on a person. For some reason all I wanted to do was tell her that, nothing like asking her out, I just wanted her to know for some reason I still can't figure out. And as I watched her sign, and her mother sign, I saw a whole new beauty in the world that I'd been ignorant to up until that point. I know it sounds cheesy but that's exactly how it happened. I went there two more times that week with the intent of telling her this, but ultimately chickened out.

The following week I took a wicked head injury that almost killed me. Following the initial "what happened," "I wish I had told her" was the first thing I thought up when I woke up in the hospital. In the months that followed I had a ton of free time while recovering to learn about the Deaf community. I was so ashamed because, while I've always prided myself on being open-minded, I chickened out of telling her what I thought because I was intimidated by the communication barrier. By the same token, I've never felt more inspired to do anything in my life. I wanted to know about a section of the world I'd never given the appropriate attention to. I felt the need to break down that wall for me and for those around me, that wall that sometimes makes the hearing and non-hearing communities conflict.

I've seen her since (it's been about 9 months since all of this) and not said anything still, but now it's not out of fear. Not because she's deaf and I'm not, but because she's a pretty girl and I'm nervous haha. And it's hard to go up to a complete stranger and say, "Hi, you don't know me but I'm a better person now because meeting you changed my life and my perspective on things."

Still, I just wanted to say hello and explain why I'm here and share the story of how a chance encounter can alter your life. I love having lived that story. I'm 25, I just started college (injury inspired), and I want to make ASL my minor (Music is my passion in life, so that's my major). I can't wait to start taking ASL, but I'm having difficulty finding places to learn it. Our college doesn't offer it due to lack of interest. It's only Community College after all. Is college the best way to learn or is there a better way? Thanks for taking the time =)

want to caption youtube and other internet videos?

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 15:58:56 GMT

I've been trying to find a good online captioning software. I came across this: www.overstream.net and it is EXACTLY what I wanted! You just plug your video's URL into the site and there is a web-app that has by far some of the easiest and best tools i've seen for inserting captions. No need to download software for your computer, download the youtube video, re-upload. Nope. It's all done via the web-app. Easy as pie!

My hearing friends have often lamented they want to share a Youtube video but its not CC and they proceed to write a transcript via email or give me a blow-by-blow in IM windows. Now they can caption it full on themselves and give other deaf or HOH people access to their efforts!

It can also be a great tool to caption Vlogs for us deafies doing video-blogging. I have plenty of hearing friends who would feel a little alienated not being able to understand my ASL blogging. This way they can pick up vocabulary and keep up with my video-cast. I tried it myself with a little vlog i made last night. It was so much fun and quite easy.

The makers of the Overstream website do not seem to have taken into account the market for captioning for the deaf, which is surprising. It seems most of the videos on the website are foreign translated videos. But I think this is such a great site it needs to be promo'd in the deaf community! Captions/Subtitles on internet-based footage have been a problem for accessibility, but this makes it a snap for ANYONE to take some time and caption videos of any kind!

ETA i goofed, it is www.overstream.net register and it'll allow you access to the tools :)

Noise while signing....

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:21:57 GMT

This is kind of a weird question that I mean in the least offensive way possible. My older sister is Deaf and uses sign and my mom is an interpreter/Deaf Ed teacher, so I grew up with ASL as my first language and used in my house even though I'm hearing. I don't make any noise really when I sign unless it's really emotional or the facial expression really calls for it. Neither does my mom. My sister however does make more noise when she signs, as do a lot of our Deaf friends. Obviously it doesn't bother me at all. However recently (and in the past but for some reason it's really come to my attention lately) I've been meeting hearing friends of my sister that are learning sign. They all make the same exact noises my sister does (the smacks, the tongue clicks, the heaving exhales, etc.).

I almost feel like they're making fun of my sister and other Deaf people. But then I thought about it more, I realizes that's not at all the case and realized they may think you're supposed to make those noises when you sign because sometimes they hear Deaf people make them? Or maybe part of it is them muttering under their breath when they sign because they're thinking everything through in English? I don't have any formal interpreting or really ASL experience outside my family so I could be off, but then again, my mom doesn't make these noises when she signs and she has a masters in Deaf Ed and I've rarely heard other interpreters for my sister make these noises.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about/have some insight? I asked my sister and she didn't have any insight but told me I should ask some CODAs or other interpreters/people in the Deaf community. Is it inappropriate for hearing people who know ASL or are learning to make these noises (like I said before, the really exaggerated smacking, hissing, clicking, sometimes kind of grunting, etc. sounds) on purpose? Is it weird that it only bothers me when it's hearing people who make the really over exaggerated noises? Is it out of line for this to even cross my mind/bother me?

Thanks guys!!

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:10:52 GMT

Hello everyone!!

My name is Lisa and I'm an interpreting student from Texas. I'm currently in ASL 3, so I'm okay as far as signing goes. I'm also currently taking a Deaf Culture class which brings me to what brought me here.

I hope no one finds this rude or anything, but for my Deaf Culture class, one of our assignments is to interview a Deaf person. We're allowed to do this through e-mail, as well as video relay, webcams, face to face, etc. I was wondering if anyone here would be interested in being interviewed. E-mail would be fine if that's alright with you.

Thank you all very much!

Ohlone?

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:01:34 GMT

hi, I have been lurking here, I am from another user-name.
Anywho, I have been researching on what colleges to apply to.

I am not getting enough reviews on the deaf services at Ohlone College in Fremont. Is it good or what?

Also, would anyone recommend applying on to Univ of San Fran? I am really fenced on which are good choices to apply to.. I really want to go to a college in California, especially that my sisters lives there.

Thanks in advance to those who answers.

MSD to be featured in NFL halftime shows

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:59:15 GMT

Today at one of my monthly home visits from Maryland School for the Deaf (my very soon to be 5 year old is deaf) they informed me about this and I just had to share it.

The football players at the Maryland School for the Deaf aren't just national champions.

Come Oct. 12, they'll be TV stars.

As they pursue their sixth straight national deaf prep championship, the Orioles will be one of eight high schools nationwide featured during halftime of an NFL game during the third season of Toyota's "The Line of Scrimmage."

This year's theme: The "gutsiest" varsity football teams in America.

You can find the rest of the article here. It's a great read and I'm looking forward to tuning into the game myself just so I can watch that short 45 second clip. Receiving the school's magazines I've been following up on their sports and all the teams there are just amazing.

Utah?

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:57:20 GMT

hey everyone!

Right now i'm a mainstreamed high school senior that is sign dependent (no lip reading or voicing for me). i'm looking at Utah State University for school next year for a variety of reasons (close enough to home, cost, gymnastics program, etc.) One of the big things is the fact they have a Deaf Ed program for undergrads and grads, which means they have a good chunk of signers on campus and even a Deaf culture club.

my question is, does anyone know anything about the Deaf community in Utah? Logan (north of SLC) especially)?

Thanks!!!!!

<3

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:34:26 GMT

How do you sign statistics for large numbers? For example, I know how to sign one out of 3 or 1 out of 6, but how about 1 out of 700,000, or 1 out of 6,610,000?

Thanks in advance!

Signing a phrase

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:05:15 GMT

How would you sign the phrase: "look before you leap?" signing it look before jump doesn't seem to really satisfy the point for me....or maybe I'm just wrong?

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 03:42:32 GMT

Do you guys have any Deaf video news websites that you like to visit? Or regular video blogs? I am looking to expand my sign vocabulary and put more ASL features into my interpretations. Another interpreter suggested I look at topics and see how Deaf people discuss them. She suggested vlogs.

If you guys know of any, I'd be greatly appreciative.

New Hearing Aids =]

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:13:57 GMT

So it's time to start shopping around for new hearing aids!

I'm currently wearing bilateral behind-the-ears Oticon Digifocus 2s. They're okay, but I have an extremely hard time with background noise, the feedback is horrendous, and I can't stand having to wear the molds because they make my ears feel gross, and trap the moisture in.

What kind of hearing aids do you guys wear? Can you recommend any specific brands, or models to me? I'm looking into Phonak and Oticon, but I would really like hearing aids that aren't visible, or hearing aids that stay in your ear with no piece behind the ear, but the problem is I'm considered severely hearing impaired.

Any help you can lend would be great! Thank you!

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:56:37 GMT

I am a new owner of two guinea pigs and I've done research prior to getting them. I know that they are very vocal animals and because I am hard of hearing, I thought I'd be able to hear the noises they make and therefore I'd be able to discern how they're feeling. I was wrong. I cannot hear them, but I can see them making noises. For example, one of them looks like he's simply blowing up his cheeks in rapid succession. What noise is this?

What does your guinea pig look like when he makes certain noises? I feel like I'm learning to lipread my pets haha

just wondering

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 03:43:00 GMT

Hi everyone!

Is there anyone here in the Stillwater/Oklahoma City/Tulsa, OK area?

Have you seen CSD-TV?

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:47:04 GMT

I just found out about CSD-TV.

http://www.csd.tv/

Have you checked them out yet?

They have For Your Eyes, with stories of deaf individuals and events, and Spice Up!, a cooking show with Deaf Chef Jeff Perri.

A Newbie with Questions

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:38:38 GMT

Hi, my mother really wants to learn sign language at our local community college (as she works with children who are autistic, deaf or cannot speak), but she's afraid it will be too difficult for her to learn so to put her fears to rest I have a few questions.

1. Is it difficult to learn?
2. What is the first thing beginners are taught? The alphabet?
3. When taking the class, what are the tests like?

I appreciate any and all comments you have to share. Thank you.

Deaf wedding - fantastic!

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:05:35 GMT

I made the wedding cake for my "little sister" this past weekend (tons of pics on my LJ, if you're interested) but I also got her vows, and the poem/tribute given by a friend during the ceremony on video. Both videos are in ASL, with audible voice interpreting off screen.

It was a GORGEOUS ceremony.

I missed the shot I wanted to get. There were three floors of balconies of Deaf people signing to a whole crowd down below. It was awesome!

The wedding vows:

Karen's tribute/poem to Alethea and Steven:

I hope you enjoy!

Terminology

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:34:28 GMT

Hi everyone, let me introduce myself by saying that I am a hearing speech pathology student looking to become familiar with Deaf culture and ASL so as to be as good an ally to the community as possible. I work (as a scheduler, not a clinician yet) at a language, speech, and hearing center where we do therapy for a variety of populations. Our clinic for deaf and hard of hearing people is commonly referred to as our Hearing Impaired clinic. It used to be called Aural Rehab, but HI has replaced that term in most places because it's not as accurate. I wanted to ask the members of the community here, though, if Hearing Impaired is an okay term to use. The idea is to find something short and to the point, since each of our clinics has a similar name that works in shorthand or an acronym. I just don't want to be calling clients something that's problematic to the community, since that would go against everything we're trying to achieve! Any advice would be appreciated...

Thanks!