Recently a colleague asked me a question to the effect of, "How do deaf children address their instructors?" 
I forwarded this question to my friends Byron Cantrell and Sandra Thrapp.
"When you were a child attending a Deaf School, what did the students call the teachers?
Did they ever spell, M-R-S. S-M-I-T-H? Or did they just use only "name signs?"
--Bill

Byron Cantrell responded:
I remember most of us used their namesigns. Many of the deaf students could not spell their names which were hard to remember their names. We used namesigns for all the staff. even all the students.
I am speaking of Georgia School for the Deaf I went through my school life.
--Byron

Sandra Thrapp responded:
Years: 1965 - 1977:  Yes, we did use the namesigns by Miss Smith (not using first name)
during my old school days!  My school is still using last name by namesigns nowdays.
Years: 1980 - Present: When I worked at California School for the Deaf in Fremont. The students
were/are using the first namesigns (not last name or MR./Miss/Mrs.).
--Sandra

Sandra,
Did you ever spell M-I-S-S?
--Bill

Bill,
No, I did not spell.
--Sandra

In a message dated 8/11/2006 4:02:05 PM Pacific Daylight Time, REZABO1 writes:
Good evening Dr. Vicars,

My name is Bekah Pierce and I am a student at Fleming Island High School in Orange Park, Florida. I wanted to let you know that your website has helped me so much in my ASL class. I just have one quick question for you: Is it harder for people who have signed their whole life to learn to speak English than if they know how to lip read as well? That was a point that was brought up in my classroom and I was wondering if you would help me with the answer. My mailing address is 1644 Morningside Drive MIdlleburg, Florida 32068. Again my name is Bekah Pierce and I would really appreciate it if you would be able to answer that question or put me in contact with someone who would or maybe even a website. Thank You Very Much and enjoy your days!!!! Sincerely
Bekah Pierce

Bekah,
That is a complex question without a "pat" answer.
And depending on how you phrase the question you will get a different answer.
It is easier for a person with a strong cognitive foundation to learn to speak English than it is for a person without a strong cognitive foundation.
It is easier for a Deaf child to develop a strong cognitive foundation if he is signed to from birth than if he is limited only to spoken language and lipreading.
Of course, if a person has an existing skill it is easier to apply horizontal transfer of that skill to development of a similar new skill than it is to start from scratch. For example it is easier to learn how to surf if you've been skateboarding all your life.
Bill

Bill,
Thank you for a very insightful answer. I hadn't thought of that. I guess I should have, after reading the story of your wife's name sign! Just to let you know, the initials are L, D, S, T, K, M, and then there's another T. I'll do all under the shoulder, except one T will be on the left forearm. If any of those have another meaning, will you let me know? Thank you for your consideration!
Amanda

Amanda,
The L hand on the upper left chest could be interpreted as LAZY if it is palm back.  If you make contact with the tip of the thumb (palm down) it wouldn't mean anything.
Some people "might" argue that using a "D" in that location could be interpreted as "detective," and an "M" means "mission or morals."  But "morality" tends to use a small rotational movement rather than a double tap, and "detective" is not a common enough sign to be an issue. So you could do them as name signs if you wanted.
Any of the letters you mentioned would be safe to sign on the side of the head above the ear or near the temple, (except perhaps the "M."  When you do an "M" up near the temple or forehead some people might interpret it as "mental" as in the first half of the outdated sign "mentally retarded."
Bill

In a message dated 8/15/2006 8:53:29 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, andrews_suttorp writes:

This past weekend I met the mother-in-law of my friend. She (the mother in law) is deaf. When I spoke to people, I signed so that she would know what I was talking about. That is the polite and proper thing to do, right?
When Hearing people and Deaf people get together, ideally, everybody would simply turn off their voices and use sign language. When you are in a "mixed" environment that requires communication with non-signing-Hearing and you are able to speak and sign at the same time then it is indeed appropriate to sign while speaking.
-- Marta

Dear Marta,
I recall interviewing for a position at Sacramento State University. I first met with Don Grushkin, the coordinator of the ASL program. Don is Deaf. We conversed in ASL for a while and then we went to a different room where rest of the hiring committee were sitting. With the exception of Don and his interpreter, nobody else in the room knew ASL. They started asking me questions about how I planned on teaching. I'm Hard of Hearing and I responded using simcom (simultaneously communicating with sign and voice). I explained that I would be following the local department policy of teaching without voice and that I was fine with that approach. Don then asked me why it was that I was choosing to voice and sign at the same time during the interview when obviously this impacts the quality of my ASL and the interview was for a position teaching ASL. I responded that he and I had already met one on one and conversed in ASL. He had personally observed my ASL skills already. My ability to use ASL was no longer in question since we had recently used ASL to converse for a substantial period of time. I was now meeting with a larger audience that included Hearing people who were judging things other than my skill in ASL. I then pointed out that I noticed he preferred to watch me directly rather than watch the interpreter standing to my side even though I was using simcom and she was interpreting in ASL.
It was simple logic. He could have been watching the interpreter instead of me but he wasn't. I knew that he was very skilled with English as well as ASL and thus my "sign supported speech" was very easy for him to follow.
Again, the best case scenario would be for everyone on the interview committee to be skilled in ASL and simply turn off their voices and sign.  But in this mixed environment simcom was appropriate.
 

8/25/06
Bill,
Both my parents are completely deaf and I am hearing. Growing up was pretty interesting as I was very immersed in the Deaf world yet tried to find my way in the hearing world. Now that I am an adult, I have tried to figure out where I fit in the working world and as luck would have it, I teach ASL as a foreign language at a local private school for hearing students. I think my mother always wanted me to pursue something related to ASL and I fought that idea for many years. Your website is a great reminder for me as to the beauty of the language and also how intricate it is. While I view it as being easy to learn, I also appreciate how hearing people with no experience with ASL struggle with issues such as dealing with some Deaf individuals who have grown bitter to hearing people.
-- Tracie Dowell
Creative Hands

In a message dated 8/25/2006 12:43:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Shirleen.Jones@ writes:
[I have a question regarding] "core" members [of the Deaf community] that i have come to know dismissing/resisting my efforts to learn more about the culture so that i CAN fully respect the differences [between Deaf and Hearing culture]. I have read several books regarding Deaf culture that have somewhat prepared me - I know that Deaf population views deafness not as disability, etc and i subscribe to that as well . we all have our own challenges in life - i.e. I am an anxious person and have always had to deal with that on some level - Some people have other physical issues - Some people had trauma - etc. Perhaps then I should not view Deafness as a "challenge" ? Would that in and of itself be offensive to the Deaf community do u think? But is being Deaf embedded in a Hearing world not a challenge on some level?
-Shirleen

Shirleen,
We Deaf people respond to our status in a variety of ways. Some of us see it as a challenge. Some are bitter. Some are fatalistic. Some see everyone in the world as having a disability and this happens to be ours. Some see it as a blessing or an advantage.
For most of us, being deaf in a hearing world is indeed a challenge.
If, however, you are using the word "challenge" as a euphemism (sugar coated version) for "disability" then you will find that some Deaf people will still take offense.
Why talk about it at all?
Let's consider a different but in some ways similar situation:
Suppose a younger man is dating an older woman. It is a sure bet she doesn't want to talk about her age. There are a thousand other things to talk about that have nothing to do with how old she is. If the younger man is interested in continuing the relationship he would be well advised to focus on topics and activities that are mutually enjoyable while shunning any urge to discuss age-related issues.
It is the same for all individuals who interact with members of an oppressed or minority group. You can look at what that group is lacking, or you can simply look for mutually beneficial projects and interactions.
Of course we Deaf realize we are different from Hearing people. But we don't like to talk about it or even acknowledge it. Why? Who would want to be thought of as a walking "broken ear?"
So we renounce the label of disability and shun patronizing attempts to categorize us as having a "challenge." Not because we don't have a challenge, (we do), but rather because it is psychologically much more comfortable to avoid thinking about it and focus on other things. We go about our lives engaged in the process of "living" and are then confronted by certain Hearing people feel the inexplicable, irrational need to "help" us come to terms with and/or "realize" or "admit" that we have a "problem."
Then those same Hearies feel frustrated when rather than saying "thank you for pointing that out," we Deaf say "go away" and let us get back to our signed conversations.
So we put on tee-shirts proclaiming Deaf Pride--hoping to get the message across that we know who we are, and what we are, and that after looking in the mirror we have decided that we are okay.
Dr. Bill


In a message dated 8/28/2006 11:08:05 AM Pacific Daylight Time, Shirleen.Jones@ writes:

Hi again - thanks for the response. Pls don't think that i am being difficult - I like to understand things so i therefore ask a lot of questions. I am directing many of these questions to you because i trust that your response will be direct and honest. Let me pose another scenario to you - i volunteer in the dorms at a local school for the Deaf - and have had the chance to observe and interact w/ both Deaf and Hearing staff. As u might suspect - there are 2 "camps" - i have talked w/ members from both - and have tried very hard to respect and "not to offend" either of them. So pls don't freak out on me when i ask this next question. I am almost afraid to ask but what the heck. I have asked this to other "core" members and never got an answer - Just a complete avoidance of the topic.

How would you - as a Deaf individual - view me - as an adult second language learner who has no real reason to learn sign language. I did not know anyone who was Deaf 2 1/2 yrs ago. I thought it was a beautiful and efficient way to communicate. I hate big words - In fact - i have a list of big words that some people use to make themselves sound smarter - but anyways... Did i have any business learning your language?? u guys didn't invite me. Tell me how to proceed w/ this. I am going to continue to volunteer - but as u might suspect - many of the Deaf kids want nothing to do w/ me. Yes - kids are tough in general - but - i believe that the fact that they view me as another Hearing person intruding in their world w/out a valid reason...Should I just cut and run????? The odds seem stacked against me. I think i have a lot to offer the school - many yrs residential experience, a true love of kids , respect for others - BUt - the reality is - what i think is probably completely irrelevant to the Deaf community isn't it? Sadly - sometimes i feel discriminated against. I asked these same questions 2 yrs ago...
--Shirleen


Shirleen,
You state that you "hate big words" and yet you keep a list of them. Heh.
That's sort of like being allergic to roses yet planting them outside your bedroom window.
I, on the other hand, LOVE big words and thoroughly revel in an unabashed and ostentatious use of them. [grin]
Ahem, but, if it will help me to seem like a better person, I'll admit I had to use spell-check to get the term "ostentatious" right.
Allow me to officially invite you to learn all you can and give you permission to become an expert in American Sign Language.
You've asked how would I view you as and adult second language learner who has no "real" reason to learn sign.
I view you as a terrific person!
Yah, baby! Whoo whoo whoo! Go for it! [Envision streamers and confetti floating down through the air. Fireworks bursting in the sky in the background.]
Now perhaps you might view my [big word alert] exhuberance as being a tad sarcastic.
Let me assure you, it is not.
Alright, maybe it is, but I'm just not self-aware or humble enough to admit it. But that's not the point. The point is that I really do think it is great that you are interested in learning ASL.
Of course, to be considered is the fact that I make my living off of people who are interested in learning ASL.
Ah, and therein lies the rub. It's the old "WIIFM" issue. "Wiffm" as you may or may not know, stand for "What's in it for me?"
How do Deaf view "hearies" learning their language? Well, they ask themselves, "What's in it for the hearing person? How will that affect me?"
Some Hearing people learn our language and then take "our jobs." (Jobs that don't require the ability to hear.)
Is that Hearie just in it to make money off of me? No? Then why? How can I be SURE that Hearie isn't here just to take advantage of me? Does she have a good reason?
Is she losing her hearing and becoming one of us?
Does she have a Deaf relative?
Does she have a Deaf boy friend?
Was she raised by Deaf wolves in the Canadian forest?
No?
Then what is it?
Huh? She thinks our language is beautiful and efficient? Hmmm. Beauty and efficiency are enough to get someone involved or interested but will they be here for the long haul? Butterflies are beautiful and ants are efficient, but individual butterflies and ants are not around for very long.
If I devote weeks or months of my time becoming friends with this Hearing woman what are the chances that she will get bored or frustrated and simply retreat back into her world of sound and spoken communication? And thus I will have wasted my time.
There is a tale told of a pig farmer and a chicken farmer sitting down to breakfast of bacon and eggs. The chicken farmer started bragging a bit and said, "Hmmm, boy those eggs sure do make for a mighty fine breakfast! My chickens have really outdone themselves on this one."
Whereupon the pig farmer replied, "Well, let me tell you something about your chickens and this breakfast. You see, them chickens--they were involved. My hogs? My hogs were committed."
And thus it is in the Deaf world. Hearing people "get involved." But Deaf people are committed. It is our lives.
Now--is that an attitude of discrimination?
Or is it simply a process of self-preservation that relies upon being able to discriminate (determine) the motives of someone who is trying to join the group?
Once members of the group are convinced that entrance of the newcomer into the group will be beneficial to them individually and collectively they will then begin to embrace the newcomer. Those members of the group who are emotionally secure, unhurt, socioeconomically well off, and/or bicultural, will be the first ones to embace the newcomer. Others in the group who are timid or who have been hurt before will be less inclinded to accept the newcomer.
Your job as the newcomer is to take it slow and build trust and confidence by making friends in the community and becoming a benefit to the community. It generally takes years, and you will never be "completely" accepted by everyone. But then again, that's normal in all societies. The question you have to ask yourself regarding the time and effort invested compared to the satisfaction of interacting with our community is, "Is it worth it?"
If your answer is "Yes," then by all means, forge ahead. Er...I mean, carefully move ahead.
Cordially,
Bill
(Dr. Bill Vicars of Lifeprint.com)

In a message dated 8/26/2006 8:26:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time, ewok108@ writes:
Dear Dr. Vicars,

Hello. My name is Kerri Murray. I am 31 years old and am hard of
hearing. I suffer from a disease called Cholesteatoma. I have had 3
Tympanomastoidectomy's and am preparing for the 4th in 3 weeks. They
removed everything out of the right ear 3 years ago due to this disease. I
was told 2 weeks ago that it is back in full force in the left ear. They
will be shutting down that ear now and will leave me permanently deaf. I am
receiving a Cochlear implant at the same time. I am very scared because i
only know how to read lips and that is sometimes very challenging. I am a
nurse and i deal with patients everyday. I am having an awful lot of
trouble finding online classes for sign language when i came across your
website. I am not very good at using computers yet and am having difficulty
figuring out how to get into one of the classes on your site. I was hoping
you could help me if you had some free time. This is all new to me and i'm
not quite sure what to do. I have no choice but to let them shut down the
ear because if i don't have surgery then i don't have long to live. I
appologize for telling you my sob story but i would appreciate any help that
i can get. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank
you for your time in reading my email and even if you can't help just
reading this is putting my word out.

Thank you
so much,
Kerri Murray

Kerri,
You can just start with lesson 1 at:
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lesson1.htm
and work your way through the lessons.
There is no need to register.
There is nothing to buy unless you want to get the "self testing" CDs that test you on the material. But that isn't necessary. You can just learn the signs and cultural information without testing.
Also, if you haven't done so, I encourage you to visit your local library and see what materials they may have on ASL.
Also, please visit www.ASLpah.com and check out the archives of my newsletter.
Next, contact your State's local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Inform them that since you are going deaf, that you will need rehab services to make sure you remain employable and then ask them for counseling and assistance with ASL training or whatever else you need to remain employable. They may turn you down, but it is worth checking into.
Cordially,
Bill