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Teaching and Learning ASL: No Voice Environment


If you wanted to become a professional swimmer, it would make sense to spend as much time as possible in the water.
If you were only around a swimming pool a few hours per week, it would be smart to make the best use of your time at the swimming pool by diving in and swimming as much as possible while you have the chance.

If you want to learn ASL and interact with Deaf people and are only in an ASL classroom a few hours per week it also makes sense to dive in and "swim around" as much as possible.  By that I mean, turn off your voice and lift up your hands and get signing while you have the opportunity.  That includes the few minutes before class officially begins and the time in the hallway right after class.

There is another aspect to turning off your voice in the ASL classroom and that is:  "respect."

When around Deaf people it is proper for sign language students to turn off their voices and sign.  Mixed language environments are a bit different.  For example, if in a restaurant, a Hearing non-signing waiter comes up to take your order it is generally fine for you to voice your order but the moment the waiter leaves -- turn your voice off again.

ASL majors especially need to get in the habit of choosing to sign rather than voice.

Getting students to turn off their voices seems to be a constant challenge for ASL instructors.

I myself have tried all the popular coercion methods: threats, throwing objects, showing basic decency by respecting for Deaf culture, etc.

Sometimes it helps to resort to good old-fashioned propaganda.
 

prop•a•gan•da  (prŏp'ə-gān'də)
noun

  1. The systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause.

I find that small, quick, daily reminders do wonders for getting students to turn off their voices. I tend to post propaganda in my classes and or on my overheads.

You have to be VERY careful in high school and youth classes regarding "what" you put in your propaganda. Generally it is best to make any high-school and lower grade level propaganda "G" rated.

For example:

"Signing is to a rainbow
as
Voicing is to black and white."


However, In my college classes, closer to the end of the semester when the students know I love them -- I have gotten away with such propaganda as:

"Murderers, rapists, child molesters, people who voice in class, wife beaters..."

Your results may vary. 

I don't recommend you use such strong propaganda unless you have a VERY good relationship with your students and they will understand from such a post that you are not trying to offend them, but rather to help them understand that this is an important topic.

If you are not confident, instead you can use simple, subtle propaganda such as:

Voicing :(
Signing :)

Or try playing superstition combined with innuendo:

Delight went to ASL class and turned off her voice and was blessed with good luck.  She won the lottery, met the man of her dreams, and found the perfect job!

Dick used his voice in his ASL class and was cursed with bad luck.  His girlfriend left him, he lost his job, and his dog died.

Be a Delight.
Don't be a Dick.

Or go for the "health angle"

Signing burns extra calories and helps you get an "A" in class.

Voicing (in class) bother's your neighbors and shows a lack of intellect.

Or play on the desire to be liked by one's peers:

Signing is cool.

Voicing is not cool.


 


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