Carl Schroeder of Kalaku's Korner blogger/vlogger wrote his comments on John F. Ebgert's EbgertPress.com 3/30/07 whether Alexander Graham Bell (AGB)'s action equaled "racism" of denying the linguistic minority (deaf signers) such privileges and societal rights to the use of "natural language".
Racism is not really a logical term to describe AGB's eugenics movement for imposing linguistic and cultural superiority/eradication upon deaf American signers of the late 1800's and early 1900's. More approriate terms are linguistic imperialism or attempt to "linguicide" the sociocultural minority, ex. deaf signers of the post-Milan Conference period from conveying and expressing their own thoughts in practical and efficient language usage.
"Linguicism" could be also an acceptable term to describe AGB's misguided ideology of assimilating or centralizing the sociolinguistic minority into the society at large on so-called equal basis. Racism?? No! No!
Deaf Americans and other deaf people everywhere, could enact the strategtic multilingualism policies to ensure the protection and preservation of our beloved and precious language (ASL, LSF, BSL and other more) from possibility of linguistic extinction/loss and sociocultural genocide or undermine the existence of minority language usage.
Deaf People everywhere ought to call for the non-intervention policy to make our natural language of the deaf to the protected status to the listing of endangered language usage in the United States and other countries.
The Auslan language (Australian Sign Language) already have been formally recognized by the Australia national government as "community language" other than spoken/written English and the preferred language of the Deaf Australian Community as the language policy statement(s) in 1987 and 1991. (1)
There are numerous struggles to preserve and formalize the language usage somewhere like Pakistan (Bangla language) and other places nowadays. Such endangered languages have been revived from Hebrew to Hawaiian Language lately. Aragonese, Gaelic and Aramaic language are non-existent language usage so far.
We really could make the language policy of protecting and recognizing the American Sign Language (ASL) at Gallaudet University and other educational facilities of the deaf without making the non-ASL users feel threatened or compromised. That is about the matter of linguistic embraceness and self-determination involved American Sign Language (ASL) and other natural sign language.
ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
References -
(1) Lo Bianco (1987). National Policy on Languages. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service
Dawkins J (1991). Australia's Language: The Australian Language and Literacy Policy. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.
http"://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auslan
This e-article on RLMDEAF blog is copyright protected under the U.S. Copyright Law without properly recognize the contribution of author listed above, 30th March 2007.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tibidits On "Thru Deaf Eyes": PostProduction & Review
*This article originally appeared on the WordPress blog forum last March 16th linked to the DeafRead.com. It somewhat didn't appeared on the DeafRead at all. I tweaked my blog posting a little for more updated info.*
TIBIDITS ON 'THROUGH DEAF EYES", UPCOMING PBS DOCUMENTARY:
POSTPRODUCTION AND REVIEW
PBS-TV's "Thru Deaf Eyes", 2 hours-long documentary was originally slated to be an one hour long programming. It had been in the production development for 5 years and completed before the Unity for Gally (UFG) protest erupted last Spring 2006. The total budget spending on the making of "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary was estimated $600,000 plus related expenses for online postings. Approximately 30 people involved in the production of "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary. No content listings for this documentary found on the PBS's official website or links in any way.
After viewing the 45-minutes excrepts of "Thru Deaf Eyes" out of 2 hours-long documentary with other prominent deaf individuals at the Library of Congress last March 13th, 2007. Such a mixed feelings about this first-known documentary about deaf people on the national level devoted to the understanding and appreciation of Deaf American Community and its diversity.
Surprisingly, the respectable and well-known hearing Gallaudet history professor, Dr. John Van Cleve spoke orally without signing at all. He also appeared without his owlish eyeglasses on one of the "oral history" segement. Van Cleve fluently signed in SimCom at Gallaudet University. Why hasn't Dr. Van Cleve (JVC) signed on the national television?
Another disappointed segement with the beloved culturally deaf author of "Deaf Hertiage", Dr. Jack Gannon and his wife, Alice. Gannon dressed sloppily like having part of his flannel shirt hung out while the right side of it inside the pant. Where were the PBS or Gallaudet University people assisted Dr. Gannon and other deaf interviewees looking best on the national television? Kinda feel bad for Gannon.
Dr. Jack Gannon is known for his folksy and easygoing Midwestern attitude. He probably do not care much about his appearance. Everyone love Jack Gannon!
Marlee Maltin, Oscar-winning actress expressed her personal experience about the sole incident with the hearing television interviewer somewhere. She was going to be the camera-ready for the interview.but the interviewer popped "My dog is deaf, too". Maltin ended up with the "dumbfounded" looks on the camera. Very common experience for us, deaf people dealing with such ignorance and stupidity from the society at large.
Gallaudet University "Deaf Studies" Professor, Dr. Ben Bahn's personal recollection of his deaf parents were real touching. He appreciated his culturally deaf father more after studying linguistics of American Sign Language (ASL). Bahn finally realized how intelligent his culturally deaf father really was.
Frances Parson, deaf attendee at the Library of Congress' viewing of "Thru Deaf Eyes", asked a simple question to the PBS producers whether this documentary will cover the history of "Combined System" in deaf schools of the deaf. The producer replied "Yes".
Robert L. Mason (RLM) asked an question before Frances Parson and other deaf questioners whether this documentary covered the recent "Unity for Gallaudet" protest or not. The head producer responded "Thank God! We finished the documentary before the recent UFG protest." His answer somewhat bothered me. What do you really think?
There will be the DVD sale of "Through Deaf Eyes" next release date - May 2, 2007 - $24.99 which is surprisingly inexpensive for PBS video retail sales. It will include six artistic works by Deaf media artists internally woven thru the entire documentary on DVD. Unlike the broadcast of "Thru Deaf Eyes". Those Deaf media artists' visual artworks will be seen after the end of documentary on most PBS stations.
Another PBS retail; material for "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary is the hardcover book - 'Through Deaf Eyes: A Photographic History of an American Deaf Community, $40, sale date - 3/21/07.
For more info regarding "Through Deaf Eyes" television documentary and DVD/book sales, check out http://www.pbs.org/
ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM), originally posted 3/16/07, then 3/21/07
TIBIDITS ON 'THROUGH DEAF EYES", UPCOMING PBS DOCUMENTARY:
POSTPRODUCTION AND REVIEW
PBS-TV's "Thru Deaf Eyes", 2 hours-long documentary was originally slated to be an one hour long programming. It had been in the production development for 5 years and completed before the Unity for Gally (UFG) protest erupted last Spring 2006. The total budget spending on the making of "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary was estimated $600,000 plus related expenses for online postings. Approximately 30 people involved in the production of "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary. No content listings for this documentary found on the PBS's official website or links in any way.
After viewing the 45-minutes excrepts of "Thru Deaf Eyes" out of 2 hours-long documentary with other prominent deaf individuals at the Library of Congress last March 13th, 2007. Such a mixed feelings about this first-known documentary about deaf people on the national level devoted to the understanding and appreciation of Deaf American Community and its diversity.
Surprisingly, the respectable and well-known hearing Gallaudet history professor, Dr. John Van Cleve spoke orally without signing at all. He also appeared without his owlish eyeglasses on one of the "oral history" segement. Van Cleve fluently signed in SimCom at Gallaudet University. Why hasn't Dr. Van Cleve (JVC) signed on the national television?
Another disappointed segement with the beloved culturally deaf author of "Deaf Hertiage", Dr. Jack Gannon and his wife, Alice. Gannon dressed sloppily like having part of his flannel shirt hung out while the right side of it inside the pant. Where were the PBS or Gallaudet University people assisted Dr. Gannon and other deaf interviewees looking best on the national television? Kinda feel bad for Gannon.
Dr. Jack Gannon is known for his folksy and easygoing Midwestern attitude. He probably do not care much about his appearance. Everyone love Jack Gannon!
Marlee Maltin, Oscar-winning actress expressed her personal experience about the sole incident with the hearing television interviewer somewhere. She was going to be the camera-ready for the interview.but the interviewer popped "My dog is deaf, too". Maltin ended up with the "dumbfounded" looks on the camera. Very common experience for us, deaf people dealing with such ignorance and stupidity from the society at large.
Gallaudet University "Deaf Studies" Professor, Dr. Ben Bahn's personal recollection of his deaf parents were real touching. He appreciated his culturally deaf father more after studying linguistics of American Sign Language (ASL). Bahn finally realized how intelligent his culturally deaf father really was.
Frances Parson, deaf attendee at the Library of Congress' viewing of "Thru Deaf Eyes", asked a simple question to the PBS producers whether this documentary will cover the history of "Combined System" in deaf schools of the deaf. The producer replied "Yes".
Robert L. Mason (RLM) asked an question before Frances Parson and other deaf questioners whether this documentary covered the recent "Unity for Gallaudet" protest or not. The head producer responded "Thank God! We finished the documentary before the recent UFG protest." His answer somewhat bothered me. What do you really think?
There will be the DVD sale of "Through Deaf Eyes" next release date - May 2, 2007 - $24.99 which is surprisingly inexpensive for PBS video retail sales. It will include six artistic works by Deaf media artists internally woven thru the entire documentary on DVD. Unlike the broadcast of "Thru Deaf Eyes". Those Deaf media artists' visual artworks will be seen after the end of documentary on most PBS stations.
Another PBS retail; material for "Thru Deaf Eyes" documentary is the hardcover book - 'Through Deaf Eyes: A Photographic History of an American Deaf Community, $40, sale date - 3/21/07.
For more info regarding "Through Deaf Eyes" television documentary and DVD/book sales, check out http://www.pbs.org/
ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM), originally posted 3/16/07, then 3/21/07
Monday, March 19, 2007
WSJ Report Washington State' Proposed Legislation Ban Texting During Driving
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) newspaper reported about the proposed state legislation in Washington State making "DWT": Driving While Texting a serious crime as a part of crackdown on modern "distracted driving" practice. Arizona also pended the legislation to classify DWT as a ticketable offense.
Joyce McDonald, GOP Washington State legislator pushed aggressively for making DWT a felony crime for anyone, who multitask during the driving. She found the co-sponsor across the party line, Democrat Dawn Morell.
Without controvesty behind the proposed legislation for making the DWT a felony crime. The wireless industry supporters vigorously opposed such a legislation, but strongly encouraged by the auto insurance companies, ex. AllState. The opponents of "DWT" legislation emphasized on the educational outreach to educate drivers about the dangers of engaging in electronic communication without defensive driving.
The proponents of proposed legislation on DWT pointed out to the latest statistics of auto accidents and auto deaths from the 37% of drivers between age of 18 and 27 tend to compose, send and read electronic messages during the driving phase. They used the public campaign like "Cell Phone 4oz. Car 2,800 lbs."
The remaining question is "Will this proposed offense be possibly enforceable?" Drivers would manage to turn off their electronic communication devices before law enforcement officers have any chance to catch anyone in the act.
The Wall Street Journal article could be found at www.wsj.com under Reporter Christopher Cooper.
ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
Joyce McDonald, GOP Washington State legislator pushed aggressively for making DWT a felony crime for anyone, who multitask during the driving. She found the co-sponsor across the party line, Democrat Dawn Morell.
Without controvesty behind the proposed legislation for making the DWT a felony crime. The wireless industry supporters vigorously opposed such a legislation, but strongly encouraged by the auto insurance companies, ex. AllState. The opponents of "DWT" legislation emphasized on the educational outreach to educate drivers about the dangers of engaging in electronic communication without defensive driving.
The proponents of proposed legislation on DWT pointed out to the latest statistics of auto accidents and auto deaths from the 37% of drivers between age of 18 and 27 tend to compose, send and read electronic messages during the driving phase. They used the public campaign like "Cell Phone 4oz. Car 2,800 lbs."
The remaining question is "Will this proposed offense be possibly enforceable?" Drivers would manage to turn off their electronic communication devices before law enforcement officers have any chance to catch anyone in the act.
The Wall Street Journal article could be found at www.wsj.com under Reporter Christopher Cooper.
ASLize yours,
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
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