Signing Exact English
Encyclopedia
Signing Exact English is a system of manual communication
that strives to be an exact representation of English
vocabulary and grammar. It is one of a number of such systems in use in English-speaking countries, which are known collectively as Manually Coded English
.
(ASL). However, it often modifies ASL handshapes to incorporate the handshape used for the first letter of the English word that the SEE sign represents. Many new signs were invented, however, especially signs for grammatical concepts. SEE can be thought of as a code for visually representing spoken English, developed primarily for use in deaf education
.
people complain that it is awkward and difficult to sign, that it is an attempt to replace their native sign languages, and that it separates deaf children from exposure to deaf culture
which they claim is imperative to complete normal, healthy development. However, it is advocated by some educators as a way of providing deaf children with access to a visual form of the English language. Other disadvantages are:
.
In addition, some advocates of ASL cite SEE's more intensive adherence to English grammar as leading to negative consequences in the classroom. The argument is that interpreters may drop signs or skip grammatical structures when trying to keep up with the spoken lessons. This approximation destroys the main benefit of using SEE in the first place. However, experimental evidence indicates that simultaneous verbal and signed communication is possible when given adequate training.
Finally, SEE introduces confusion in ASL. Casual learners are often taught the SEE equivalent of an ASL sign, which they then believe belongs to the vocabulary of ASL when in fact those signs do not. Since deaf people are most often in the role of accommodating hearing people with whom they are communicating, the misunderstanding about which signs belong to what system is reinforced. Because ASL is culturally significant, this can lead to the impression that outsiders are attempting to dilute the language.
Manual communication
Manual communication systems use articulation of the hands to mediate a message between persons. Being expressed manually, they are received visually, and sometimes tactually...
that strives to be an exact representation of English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
vocabulary and grammar. It is one of a number of such systems in use in English-speaking countries, which are known collectively as Manually Coded English
Manually Coded English
Manually Coded English is a general term used to describe a variety of visual communication methods expressed through the hands which attempt to represent the English language...
.
Relation to American Sign Language
SEE is an artificial system that was devised in 1972. It takes much of its vocabulary of signs from American Sign LanguageAmerican Sign Language
American Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
(ASL). However, it often modifies ASL handshapes to incorporate the handshape used for the first letter of the English word that the SEE sign represents. Many new signs were invented, however, especially signs for grammatical concepts. SEE can be thought of as a code for visually representing spoken English, developed primarily for use in deaf education
Deaf education
Deaf education is the academic discipline concerned the education of students with various hearing capabilities in a way that addresses the students' individual differences and needs.Deaf education also includes the study of:* Special education...
.
Advantages
These systems for visually representing the English language are used most often with deaf children in educational settings. They often find use in the home too, however, as they are often welcomed as an alternative to natural sign languages by hearing parents of deaf children because they do not require them to learn a new grammar or syntax. Therefore, SEE and its variants are easy to quickly learn for people who have already internalized English. It is not often used by adult deaf people except to communicate with hearing people who know some sign but who are not fluent users of sign language. Other advantages are:- SEE sign shows fully the use of articles and prepositions to deaf children who often have difficulty learning the correct usage of these parts of the English language.
- SEE is easy for English speaking parents and teachers of deaf children to master quickly.
- SEE is easier for non-deaf and non-verbal individuals with receptive English language skills (such as those with severe AutismAutismAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
) to master.
Disadvantages
The use of Signed English is controversial. Many deafDeaf culture
Deaf culture describes the social beliefs, behaviors, art, literary traditions, history, values and shared institutions of communities that are affected by deafness and which use sign languages as the main means of communication. When used as a cultural label, the word deaf is often written with a...
people complain that it is awkward and difficult to sign, that it is an attempt to replace their native sign languages, and that it separates deaf children from exposure to deaf culture
Deaf culture
Deaf culture describes the social beliefs, behaviors, art, literary traditions, history, values and shared institutions of communities that are affected by deafness and which use sign languages as the main means of communication. When used as a cultural label, the word deaf is often written with a...
which they claim is imperative to complete normal, healthy development. However, it is advocated by some educators as a way of providing deaf children with access to a visual form of the English language. Other disadvantages are:
- SEE is slower than natural speech or ASL. It is considered less precise and consistent than other languages.
- SEE cannot faithfully show every aspect of spoken English.
- SEE has not been proven accurate with studies and research.
- SEE was designed with little to no input from the Deaf community.
Educational controversy
The use of SEE is somewhat controversial, especially compared to the somewhat more entrenched system ASLAmerican Sign Language
American Sign Language, or ASL, for a time also called Ameslan, is the dominant sign language of Deaf Americans, including deaf communities in the United States, in the English-speaking parts of Canada, and in some regions of Mexico...
.
Detractors of SEE
Some detractors of SEE claim that teaching deaf children SEE deprives them of belonging to a culture that they can fully participate in. They also claim that SEE is harder for deaf children to master and does not result in those children being competent with English. Sometimes, deaf children are instructed using SEE and receive no instruction in ASL, leading to a culture gap.In addition, some advocates of ASL cite SEE's more intensive adherence to English grammar as leading to negative consequences in the classroom. The argument is that interpreters may drop signs or skip grammatical structures when trying to keep up with the spoken lessons. This approximation destroys the main benefit of using SEE in the first place. However, experimental evidence indicates that simultaneous verbal and signed communication is possible when given adequate training.
Finally, SEE introduces confusion in ASL. Casual learners are often taught the SEE equivalent of an ASL sign, which they then believe belongs to the vocabulary of ASL when in fact those signs do not. Since deaf people are most often in the role of accommodating hearing people with whom they are communicating, the misunderstanding about which signs belong to what system is reinforced. Because ASL is culturally significant, this can lead to the impression that outsiders are attempting to dilute the language.
Supporters of SEE
Supporters of SEE claim that it helps children build English language skills more effectively, does not diminish students' ability to understand ASL, and is as easy to learn as ASL. In addition, because SEE is easy for English-speaking hearing people to learn, it facilitates rapid adoption of signing amongst the hearing, which then helps the deaf community communicate with those outside.Further reading
- Gustason, Gerilee, and Esther Zawolkow. Signing Exact English. Moderns Signs Press, (1993)
- MacDougall, James C.: The development of the Australasian signed English system. In: Australian Teacher of the Deaf 29 (1988) - pp. 18–36