Wes Griffith
Information Systems Technology
"Marty McFly"
Megan Svec
Communications
"Nicole Kidman"
Rob Trishman
Communications
"Indiana Jones"
Julia Danner
Communications
"Julia Roberts"
Speak Slowly and Look
Speakers inform PSH on how to
with the hearing disabled
Ever stop and look at two people communicating with sign language? The way they move
their hands and lips while talking is different to us- a lot of us probably find it kind of neat. But, to
the deaf community, our glaring makes them feel like their conversation has eavesdroppers. Our
stares, unbeknownst to us, are very rude and they create just one of the many barriers between the
deaf and the hearing.
However, these barriers can be overcome and were addressed by Paul Owens and Denise
Brown as they increased awareness of deaf and hard of hearing to the Penn State Campus last
Thursday. The 90 minute presentation gave rise to a new form of communication - a communica
tion not many are familiar with - as a deaf Brown did the majority of the speaking, or rather, com
municating. Because many in the room were hard of hearing or deaf, there was an interpreter pres
ent as well as a "Type Well" overhead projector.
Brown opened the , presentation opened with the story of President Bush's visit to
Australia. As he was getting off the plane, Australians asked how he was and he replied with the
hand motion "okay." An alarmed Australian culture got extremely upset. Why? Because he really
motioned "a**hole" to them (at least that is what that means in their culture). Welcome to a cul
ture clash! And it happens between the deaf and hearing community as well.
Owens said a big misperception that people have of the deaf is that they are deaf and
dumb. "Because they have some voice, when they speak people think they are retarded," he said.
"But they are way off base. They are simply trying to audiment their communication." Owens says
almost all people who are deaf have full use of their vocal cords and use their voice along with
mouthing words when communicating.
You may have also had a deaf or hard of hearing person say, "I need you to look at me
when you are talking." And Owens said this is not just to lip read but for the deaf person to look at
how you are talking to them. Someone who is deaf may use exaggerated facial expressions and
exaggerated body language while a hearing person may not. A deaf person is highly sensitive to the
use of facial expressions and body language when used by the people who are hearing. Owens
noted, however, that lip-reading is not the primary way for the deaf community to understand the
hearing. Using lip reading in normal conversation is very challenging because similar formations
of the lips have quite different meanings, such as "I love you" and "Olive Juice."
Brown and Owens explained that there are several behaviors that have a negative impact
on deaf people, such as staring and pointing at them. "People are fascinated with deaf people in
common," explained Owen. "But how would you like it if you were having a conversation with
someone and people were gathered around you, staring and pointing."
Because the hearing culture is uncomfortable with or uninformed about the deaf commu
nity, many people avoid and/or ignore them. "Oh no, hear comes that deaf person," said Owen.
"Come on people, if you just ask them how it is best to communicate with them it will make every
one feel at ease." He suggests approaching them directly, not the interpreter. Also, ask them what
you can do to make communication easier.
Another behavior with a negative impact is the hearing person talking louder and slower.
"Perhaps only to the hard of hearing will this work," said Owens. "The key is to know who you are
talking to." He said talking louder and slower will not help a deaf person to understand you any
better. He explained that a big difference in the "knowing who your talking to rationale" is usual
ly what environment the deaf person grew up in. If they grew up in a deaf community they will
have different ways of communi
cating than someone who grew up
in a hearing community. It is
essential to find out how to com
municate with the deaf person.
"Someone must break that barri
er," said Owens. "You have to ask
and get it out of the way rather
then spend your time assuming."
Finally, Owens empha
sized that those who are hard of
hearing or deaf are simply differ
ent, not genetically malfunct as
some assume. "People go up to a
deaf person and say or think
`Wow! Is that a hearing aid? You
look normal,'" said Owens.
"Stupidity is stupidity. Of course
they are normal." Owens said we
must learn without bias. "It's not
wrong, it's different."
An interpreter and Paul Owens inform students about vari
ous ways of communicating with the hearing impaired. Photo by Rachel Sheperd
By RACHEL SHEPHERD
Capital Times Staff Reporter
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