How it Started (Sign Language Classes)

Yesterday, was my fourth sign language lesson. Honestly, I have never thought that I would take up sign language classes or even have a remote interest in this subject. 

Yet, here I am. 

How this came to be? I am not too sure myself.

But I suppose you could say that there were a few factors that influenced my decision to take up this class.

1. Awareness
When Starbucks Malaysia opened their first signing store in Bangsar, dedicated to employing deaf partners, it was something new to me. 

A signing store? 
Huh? How does that work? How does one communicate, "One Java Chip, grande size, soy milk, one pump sugar, no whipped cream" by signing?

Then the movie, "A Quiet Place", starring deaf actress Millicent Simmonds was shown in the cinemas. The movie itself was a whole new experience for me, with a majority of the length of the film being played in silence. Even the typical jump scare parts were not really scary as there was no creepy background music. Hahahaha!

But yea, the movie presented another exposure about the deaf world to me.

2. Exposure
An aunty from church, whom I am also acquainted with, had started taking sign language classes early this year. Due to her interest, she shares Facebook postings related to the use of sign languages or the deaf world.

For example:
a) Penny Mordaunt, the first hearing UK minister to use British Sign Language in Parliament
b) Deaf footballers who set up their own league in Somalia as they were not allowed to join existing teams

Her postings have somehow brought about an even greater awareness and understanding of another world that is similar yet not the same as ours, to me.

3. Opportunity
Last but not least, in pushing me to joining a sign language class, was the opportunity.

I came across a bulletin in church, one day, advertising basic sign language classes. Prior to that, I have sort of googled sign language classes and realised that YMCA is one of the places that provides this class. But since the church that is conducting this class is nearer to home, I thought why not and signed up within a week after enquiring.

So, there you have it, my 'journey' to joining a sign language class. No regrets, it has been an interesting adventure so far and a real eye-opener.

P/S: Did you know that Starbucks in the US is opening their first signing store soon?
PP/S: Did you know that there is a cafe in Taman Mayang, Petaling Jaya, run solely by the Deaf? The name of the cafe is SPREX and you can find out more about them on their FB page. Link here: https://www.facebook.com/Coffee-Sprex-547334915321216/
(I have been there. Too bad I wasn't in the sign language class yet and could only communicate through pen and paper or pointing, otherwise I could also take that chance to practise my signing.)

Interested in learning a new language?
Instead of taking up Korean, Japanese or Spanish language classes, why not consider Sign Language too?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

To Mr. KT

This post is written in honour of (no, scratch that), is written with the objective to give someone a piece of my mind. (Want my cerebrum or medulla oblongata?) Firstly, this person complained that I did not update my blog often enough. Then he said, "Kenny Sia updates everyday." Yeah right, it's not everyday la Tai Kor! And why compare me to him? I'm so tiny and puny in the blogsphere. Heh. Anyway, I'm super busy and super tired and has had no inspiration whatsoever to blog about anything till today. (Thanks to somebody...) Before I go into the second part, for all those who have yet to hear about it, (it's been publicized in her FB), my sister, Eileen is now formally engaged to her sweetheart of six, seven years. Congrats to my dear dear sister. Finally, eh? Hahah. The second part is related to this. Not referring to my sis, but me. Our good friend who complained that I don't update often, had the gall/balls (Grr...) to 'insult' me. When I sh...
Read more

Of Vampires and Werewolves

I've never really been an ardent fan of the Twilight series(boo...says you). And I have no idea why some girls go gaga over Edward the vampire. He looks so paste-y with the bloodshot eyes (yea yea he's supposed to look that way). And bleah! I think he looked way hotter in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as Cedric Diggory . That, I can go gaga. But in Twilight??? The romance between Edward and Bella is fine. Romantic, mushy and cliched. Heh. But there's nothing much for me to shout about. (Sorry to the ardent fans, esp to my three sisters. Ha.) This year, the next sequel in this series is about to be released tentatively in November. Known as New Moon , the title is definitely appropriate since the werewolves play a bigger role this time. I didn't read any of the books in the Twilight series though my sisters finished the whole lot of it. So there's no doubt I have no idea of what's going on in the next book. But judging from this trailer of the next sequ...
Read more

My Future???

After thinking for a while, (ok, not a while but many whiles) I have finally decided what to do after I graduate (hopefully) in May this year. I have narrowed it down to two options. Sigh. Either I continue my studies and proceed wtih Masters (God, help me..) or I apply for this work and travel thing to US for six months. Will see how it goes... see which comes first. If it's the latter, I'd most probably miss my Convocation. If the former is first, the latter will no longer be on my list. We'll see we'll see. :) P/S: Applying for masters has nothing to do with what the government has allocated to help the economy.
Read more