Vlogs: A peek at deaf culture...

In the list of ASL resources, you'll notice that I added a link to i711.com, which also provides vlogs.

What is a vlog? A video... blog. You might be asking yourself: Why? Wouldn't typing a text make sense? Yes and no...

When you want to communicate with someone, which way is easier for you? T.y.p.i.n.g. a t.e.x.t. o.n.e. l.e.t.t.e.r. a.t. a. t.i.m.e. or having a face-to-face conversation with that person?

Since we're in a deaf world... enter video blogs. If you want to communicate in Sign Language, you need a suitable medium to do so.

However, since it's a *visual* medium, it's communication... with the added bonus of all the non-verbal gestures, whether facial expressions and body movements. Even to a hearing person like me, I like that. It's smooth and it feels natural. It's the closest to actually meet and have a conversation with that person.

Marshall McLuhan is a compatriot who became famous for this quote: The medium is the message.

A text medium (like this blog) vs a *visual* medium (such as... a vlog), the medium will shape the message, among other things. On a visual medium, you have at your disposal a much broader spectrum to communicate feelings and emotions easily and effectively than just words.

Since I'm learning ASL (American Sign Language), it's one thing to be able to sign... but it is another to be able to "read". A process similar to speaking and listening, in the hearing world.

Besides, when you "hear" other people "speaking", you can correct your own "diction". Same thing with Sign Language.

Also, like the spoken language... there are accents. Tidbit: When I travel in various parts of the US, maybe because for me it is a struggle to listen, I'm still at awe that Americans are able to understand each other. Whether in Boston and the thick accent along the Massachusetts seacoast, or in NYC, or in the Southern States, etc...

There are variations in the way various ideas and concepts are signed. Hence, a "local" accent. Deaf people from one region will sign for these ideas in one way, and slightly differently elsewhere. So, even if you "speak" with your hands, even if we all "speak" ASL, there are accents... and you have to get used to that, just like with human speech.

So I was looking for vlogs to improve my "speech", and I landed at i711. web site. What I like of their vlogs, the images are sharp and crisp. Sure, there are the equivalent of vlogs at sites like YouTube. However, such sites are designed by hearing people and *for* hearing people.

Haven't you noticed that images at these sites are often fuzzy? Even more so when there are quick movements? Hearing persons don't consciously think about it, but speeches are carried through voice. Images aren't the primarily mode of communication. The mind can compensate for the fuzzy images when there are other clues (such as sound).

However, when you're deaf... or like me, when you're *learning* a visual language, images are your primary source of communication. Besides, as you'll see when visiting these vlogs, fluent ASL people will sign seemingly at the speed of light. The hands fly literally! So, you do *NOT* want any fuzzy pictures!

That's why I like those vlogs at i711.com. Besides, they have subtitles. So if you don't understand ASL, or like me you miss some signs... the text will guide you.

(As I wrote earlier, ASL and English are two separate languages, each with their own vocabulary and grammar. So there isn't a one-to-one translation here. That's why I'm saying that the subtitles are there to "guide" you ).

The other thing I like about their vlogs... are the topics being discussed. On Sep 12, it was about Dating and relationships when you're deaf. (My folks from FC will love this topic!) Previous week, it was about Choices in Deaf education and about Deaf culture and the clash of dominant cultures against others.

As someone who in a previous life was a forum staffer to a bunch of Languages & Culture forums, there are many struggles that are universal... and the dilemma one has to face. So this isn't specific to the deaf culture. However, what is specific to the deaf culture is how individuals cope with these issues.

All that, while learning a new language. Isn't it great? :)

Cheers,

-E