concerningwolves:

Even More notes on writing deaf characters

Talking

• People talk to themselves and that includes Deaf people
• I sometimes sign to myself, but whether I mutter or sign depends on why I’m talking to myself
• Cooking? Verbal speech to keep myself on task. Trying to work out an emotional scene? Signed speech.
• And using my whole body to talk to myself is allows more creative freedom
• Also even if a Deaf person identifies as non-verbal, they might still talk
• maybe a hearing person wouldn’t recognise it as speech, but sound is a part of signed language
• so muttering and breath-noises are common.
• It’s also worth mentioning that “sounding deaf” isn’t what you think it is.
• We don’t yell or make incoherent noises (usually)
• and even if we do, that’s fine
• but generally, people who are Deaf over-enunciate and speak very clearly.
• This is either intuitive and perfected over time, or taught in speech therapy.

“How much can you hear”

• People love to ask this question, and I can’t give them an answer.
• Unless I’m feeling snippy. Then I usually ask “Well how much do you hear?”
• They can’t answer either.
• Ergo, if you’re hearing and writing a d/Deaf character, don’t compare the way they hear the world to the way that a fully hearing person would.
• Be particularly wary of percentages
• I’m 75% deaf
• and I have no idea what that means
• because hearing loss is very nuanced.
• I’ve met someone who is 80% deaf, but she could hear in pitch ranges that I couldn’t.
• Hearing aids don’t emulate sound either
• so how a d/Deaf character hears with them in won’t be at the level a hearing person would
• it’s also very obvious that the sound is electronically enhanced.
• Putting in earplugs and walking around like that will not provide “Deaf experience”
• you’re better to listen to Deaf people telling you how they experience the world.

The craft itself

• Don’t fret about your word choices initially
• you have the privilege of hearing and that’s okay
• you take sound for granted, don’t worry about it.
• (Yet)
• Once you’ve got the story how you want it, set aside a whole revision just for using the right language if your POV character is Deaf
• printing out your manuscript in a different font is very helpful
• it’ll make it easier to pick out “red flag” words and phrases.
• Whenever you find a chunk of writing focused on sound/hearing, highlight it
• and then tear it apart.
• Can your character actually hear that owl hooting, or would the background noise be too blurry?
• Would your character hear the sound as it is, or would they have an association that overrules the sense?
• I.e. do they see a raven open it’s beak and think about black bubbles of ink in their throat? I know I do.
• Cross out any hyper-focus on sounds or re-write them in a different way.

The golden rule

• Don’t write deaf characters
• Write people who happen to be deaf
• Please, include us.
• Thank.

wyntercraft:

Hi, I’m Wynter, I’m Deaf and fluent in ASL (American Sign Language). I get a lot of people telling me they want to learn to sign, but not knowing exactly where to start. So, I am here to provide that!

Let’s start off with some basics, though. ASL does NOT follow English grammar (Signed Exact English/SEE does, but it is not ASL), it only uses English words and a lot of the communication with singing is done via facial expression and body language. Basically, it goes in the order of time > topic > comment. For example, “ I am going to pet dogs next week” would be “next week dogs me pet”, but there are quite a few variants and every person who signs will have a different way of doing this. Sort of how people who speak English in different parts of America have an accent and different ways to sign things. The most important thing to note about ASL is that *American* Sign Language is not universal. Most languages have their own form of SL and a lot of the word signs/alphabets are not at all the same. Another note, learning SEE may seem easier at first, but it can actually make the transition to ASL grammar that much more difficult. An example of differing signs is BSL (British Sign Language) vs ASL. 

This is the BSL finger alphabet:

And this is the American one:

So while there is a small bit of crossover, it is very, very different! Don’t get me wrong, a lot of times signers will understand each other at least a little bit, but it does need to be noted that signs can differ by language, country, region, and sometimes person. 

Now, onto what you came for…

Alphabet:

• ASL Alphabet 
  
• ASL ABC’S (NON-CC VIDEO)
• The ASL Alphabet

Deaf Culture:

*Note: if you are going to be attending Deaf events, please make sure you familiarise yourself with our culture!

• American Deaf Culture
  
• What is Deaf Culture? 
• The Importance of Deaf Culture 
• Deaf Culture vs Hearing Culture (NON-CC VIDEO)

Finger spelling:

• American Sign Language Finger Spelling 
  
• Sign Word List for Finger Spelling 
• Learn ASL: The Finger Spelling Alphabet for Beginners (CC VIDEO)
• ASL Finger Spelling Word Printer (gives you the finger spelling equivalent to what you type)!
• Finger Spelling Practice
• Sign Language Translator

Grammar: 

• ASL Grammar 
  
• The Basic Structure 
• Learn ASL Grammar (CC VIDEO)

Learn:

*Note: The best way to learn is through Deaf people/other signers!

• Lifeprint 
  
• SignLanguage101 
• The ASL App 
• 100 First Signs (Lifeprint)

Misc:

• A Day Through a Deaf Person’s Eyes (CC VIDEO)
  
• Deaftube 
  
• What Questions Annoy Deaf People? (CC VIDEO)
• Things Not to Say to a Deaf Person (CC VIDEO)
• Why I Don’t Sound Deaf (CC VIDEO)
• 13 Things my Hearing Friends Should Know (CC VIDEO)
• National Association of the Deaf

If you want a safe place to learn sign language (including ASL), I have created a Discord called Sign Language Learners! Come join and learn with other learners, Deaf/HoH people, and those curious kids who just want to know how the Deaf communicate.