A Man Without Words? What is it to have a language? Assignment HERE

ASSIGNMENT:

Considering the guided discussion below, after reading  Man Without Words, write a 2-3 page reaction paper considering the following: (an expository paper will have an introduction with a clearly stated thesis, body paragraphs which elaborate on and support this thesis through example, and a conclusion- citation can be made from the book simply, which page numbers in the body text). 

 What is human language, and how does communication in Deaf Culture meet or challenge this definition? Is it possible for a man to not have language? How do Schaller's experiences as a teacher help us understand the nature of human language? Support your position with examples from the text. 

Anthropological linguists agree on the following comparison of ape and human language:

Communication in both animals and humans consists of signals. Signals are sounds or gestures that have meaning to those using them.

Human communication consists of both signals and symbols. Symbols are sounds, gestures, material objects, or written words that have specific meaning to a group of people.

Key differences between human communication and that of other primates are that (1) humans have an open vocal system while other primates have a closed vocal system, and (2) humans have a larger bank of symbols to use in communication.

Human have a more complex "grammar" than apes and are able to manipulate that grammar to maneuver complex social contexts with communication.

QUESTIONS (Man Without Words)

• Is language a definitive quality of Human Beings?
• What would life be like for a 'languageless" man?
• Is he "languageless"-the notion of "homesign" in deaf culture?
• what is the difference between language and communication?
• What would be the quality of thoughts, feelings without language?
• How much can one comprehend of culture and society without language?
• Can one acquire language as an adult?

 children keep learning homesign (link)
       
       Homesign (link)
        
        

Concepts (Man Without Words):

·      (p28) what is the impact of living without “names” for things? If you don’t have a name, what is your sense of self?

·      (p32) he did not seem to see signs as symbols, but rather as mimes or gestural commands

·      (p49) IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONTACT –human seem to need attention, the need to spend time with someone else as social beings-outweighs intelligent content

WHAT IS LANGUAGE?

·      (p57) made up of signs

·      (p63) how is it learned?

o   Names 

o   Sysntax

o   Tense

o   Adjectives

o   Verbs (don’t need these because they are easily mimed)

·      Learning: 1-2 word stages

·      (p79) language learning in isolation of culture is impossible

·      (p86) VISUAL THINKING and deaf culture-creates a rich visual culture

·      *p89) Audiological versus cultural deaf

·      (p90) language as a membership card to culture

·      (p98) language draws the boundaries created by humans, not nature

·      (p156) entrance into language is the entrance into the human family

·      (p160) Orality & education


Deaf language & Deaf Culture:

Culture and language intertwine, with language reflecting characteristics of culture & patterning the thoughts of deaf individuals which see the world through "visual language". 

• Learning about the culture of Deaf people is also learning about their language. 
• Deaf people use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with each other and with hearing people who know the language. ASL is a visual/gestural language that has no vocal component. ASL is a complete, grammatically complex language. It differs from a communication code designed to represent English directly. ASL is not a universal language, however. There are signed languages in other countries (e.g., Italian Sign Language, Chinese Sign Language, Swedish Sign Language).
• American Deaf culture centers on the use of ASL and identification and unity with other people who are Deaf. 
• A Deaf sociolinguist, Dr. Barbara Kannapel, developed a definition of the American Deaf culture that includes a set of learned behaviors of a group of people who are deaf and who have their own language (ASL), values, rules, and traditions. 
• In 1913, George W. Veditz, president of the National Association of the Deaf, reflected in an old movie the sense of identity ASL gives Deaf individuals when he signed, "As long as we have deaf people on Earth, we will have signs, and as long as we have our films, we can preserve our beautiful sign language in its original purity. It is our hope that we all will love and guard our beautiful sign language as the noblest gift God has given to deaf people." HMMMM...

The values, behaviors, and traditions of Deaf culture include:

• Promoting an environment that supports vision as the primary sense used for communication at school, in the home, and in the community, as vision offers individuals who are deaf access to information about the world and the independence to drive, travel, work, and participate in every aspect of society.
• Valuing children who are deaf as the future of deaf people and Deaf culture. Deaf culture therefore encourages the use of ASL, in addition to any other communication modalities the child may have.-NON-STANDARD-LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE
• Support for bilingual ASL/English education of children who are deaf so they are competent in both languages. STANDARD-LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE
• Inclusion of specific rules of behavior in communication in addition to the conventional rules of turn taking. For example, consistent eye contact and visual attention during a conversation is expected. In addition, a person using sign language has the floor during a conversation until he or she provides a visual indicator (pause, facial expression, etc.) that he or she is finished. COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE
• Perpetuation of Deaf culture through a variety of traditions, including films, folklore, literature, athletics, poetry, celebrations, clubs, organizations, theaters, and school reunions. Deaf culture also includes some of its own "music" and poetry as well as dance.
• Inclusion of unique strategies for gaining a person's attention, such as:
• gently tapping a person on the shoulder if he or she is not within the line of sight,
• waving if the person is within the line of sight, or
• flicking a light switch a few times to gain the attention of a group of people in a room- COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE.