Revisiting the Past to Understand the Present: The Linguistic Ecology of the Singapore Deaf Community and the Historical Evolution of Singapore Sign Language (SgSL)

Singapore, a young nation with a colonial past from 1819, has seen drastic changes in the sociolinguistic landscape, which has left indelible marks on the Singapore society and the Singapore deaf community. The country has experienced many political and social transitions from British colonialism to attaining independence in 1965 and thereafter. Since independence, English-based bilingualism has been vigorously promoted as part of nation-building. While the roles of the multiple languages in use in Singapore feature prominently in the discourse on language planning, historical records show no mention of how these impacts on the deaf community. The first documented deaf person in archival documents is a Chinese deaf immigrant from Shanghai who established the first deaf school in Singapore in 1954 teaching Shanghainese Sign Language (SSL) and Mandarin. Since then, the Singapore deaf community has seen many shifts and transitions in education programming for deaf children, which has also been largely influenced by exogeneous factors such as trends in deaf education in the United States A pivotal change that has far-reaching impact on the deaf community today, is the introduction of Signing Exact English (SEE) in 1976. This was in keeping with the statal English-based bilingual narrative. The subsequent decision to replace SSL with SEE has dramatic consequences for the current members of the deaf community resulting in internal divisions and fractiousness with lasting implications for the cohesion of the community. This publication traces the origins of Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) by giving readers (and future scholars) a road map on key issues and moments in this history. Bi- and multi-lingualism in Singapore as well as external forces will also be discussed from a social and historical perspective, along with the interplay of different forms of language ideologies. All the different sign languages and sign systems as well as the written/spoken languages used in Singapore, interact and compete with as well as influence each other. There will be an exploration of how both internal factors (local language ecology) and external factors (international trends and developments in deaf education), impact on how members of the deaf community negotiate their deaf identities.

Confronting Assumptions in Immigrant Multilingual Deaf Education

Within the American deaf community, multilingualism is evidence among deaf individuals who use three (or more) languages daily. Despite the linguistic diversity, limited research focuses on multilingualism, multilingual education, or multilingual development in this population. The increasing multilingual immigrant D/HH student population in the United States coupled with a scarcity of research on multilingual immigrant D/HH learners has triggered various assumptions about their education. This chapter will focus on addressing the assumptions surrounding the education of immigrant multilingual deaf learners.

Inclusion and Exclusion

In this chapter, the authors explore the practice of inclusion as it relates to the education of deaf and hard of hearing (d/hh) students. Using the current situation in Jamaica as a microcosm, it is argued that for this specific population of students it may be necessary to reframe and redefine the notion of inclusion more broadly. For example, the authors argue that as a result of the specific cultural, linguistic, and academic needs of d/hh students, a more traditional approach to inclusion may in fact result in isolation and less access to content and skills. Inclusion that considers how deaf education classrooms may include accessible language, the Deaf community, families of d/hh children, and Deaf role models may be more appropriate for this population.

Assessing Signed Language Development in Deaf/Signing Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

In this chapter, the authors discuss assessment of signed language development in deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH) signing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The development of sign in D/HH children with ASD is an area of growing research, with recent papers describing how the language profile of such children is both similar to and different from hearing/speaking children with ASD. The authors highlight the difficulties of assessing signed language in this population, focusing on a lack of tests designed specifically for D/HH children. Furthermore, they describe how variations in degree of exposure to sign at home and different behavioral norms in the Deaf community complicate identification and assessment. Finally, the authors suggest some directions for possible future research.

Mass Media as a Tool for Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities: Thematically Universal and Specialized Editions (on the Example of Deaf-Press)

The study examined the role of national press in the process of social inclusion and integration of deaf community. We found that in the light of the problems of social inclusion, it is necessary to address the characteristics of certain groups of people with disabilities, in particular, specific needs of people with hearing impairments. Different life practices of people with hearing disabilities make it important to study this particular segment of population and various communication strategies that facilitate the process of their social integration. Russian academic community does not consider people with hearing disabilities as a separate cultural and sociolinguistic group but as a part of a bigger group of people with different kinds of disabilities. The present study described the differences between the concepts of “socialization”, “adaptation”, “integration" and "inclusion", and also highlighted the importance of studying the process of inclusion. Additionally, the authors described the features of the deaf community and approaches to study this particular segment of population. The article presents statistical, documented and theoretical sources to be used as the basis for empirical research. In order to get the most complete picture of the role of the press in matters of social inclusion, the authors considered both socio-political press and specialized press directly targeting deaf community. Identifying drawbacks of current media coverage the authors explored and showed different ways to improve it. A content analysis of socio-political and specialized publications was implemented, which made it possible to form a basis for the formation of recommendations for domestic media.

Deaf Ni-Vanuatu and their signs: A sociolinguistic study

<p>This thesis provides the first documentation and description of the signs created and used by deaf individuals in Vanuatu. The specific aims of this research were as follows: to establish the sociolinguistic context experienced by deaf people in Vanuatu; to identify the repertoire and characteristics of signs used by the deaf participants; to compare features of participants’ individual signs with the characteristics of home signs and emerging sign languages; and to consider the degree of similarity and potential similarity of signs between participants and how this reflects individuals’ opportunities for contact with other deaf people and signing interlocutors. The limitations of this study are that field methodology for data collection was developed in situ as conditions allowed. The sociolinguistic context for deaf Ni-Vanuatu confirms that language isolation leads to marginalisation from community and society. The study established that these home sign lexicons were limited in quantity and conceptual range, and that shared background knowledge was essential for comprehension. Overall, 22 handshapes were documented, and the predominant handshapes unmarked. Most participants preferred handling strategy for depicting signs. Some evidence of noun-verb distinction was noted in the repertoire of some participants. However, across this range of formational characteristics, results showed significant individual variations. Furthermore, multiple barriers have precluded development of a shared sign language and any form of deaf community.</p>

Deaf Ni-Vanuatu and their signs: A sociolinguistic study

<p>This thesis provides the first documentation and description of the signs created and used by deaf individuals in Vanuatu. The specific aims of this research were as follows: to establish the sociolinguistic context experienced by deaf people in Vanuatu; to identify the repertoire and characteristics of signs used by the deaf participants; to compare features of participants’ individual signs with the characteristics of home signs and emerging sign languages; and to consider the degree of similarity and potential similarity of signs between participants and how this reflects individuals’ opportunities for contact with other deaf people and signing interlocutors. The limitations of this study are that field methodology for data collection was developed in situ as conditions allowed. The sociolinguistic context for deaf Ni-Vanuatu confirms that language isolation leads to marginalisation from community and society. The study established that these home sign lexicons were limited in quantity and conceptual range, and that shared background knowledge was essential for comprehension. Overall, 22 handshapes were documented, and the predominant handshapes unmarked. Most participants preferred handling strategy for depicting signs. Some evidence of noun-verb distinction was noted in the repertoire of some participants. However, across this range of formational characteristics, results showed significant individual variations. Furthermore, multiple barriers have precluded development of a shared sign language and any form of deaf community.</p>

A Review of Sign Language Recognition Techniques

Sign language recognition is important for natural and convenient communication between deaf community and hearing majority. Hand gestures are a form of nonverbal communication that makes up the bulk of the communication between mute individuals, as sign language constitutes largely of hand gestures. Research works based on hand gestures have adopted many different techniques, including those based on instrumented sensor technology and computer vision. In other words, the hand sign can be classified under many headings, such as posture and gesture, as well as dynamic and static, or a hybrid of the two. This paper focuses on a review of the literature on computer based sign language recognition approaches, their motivations, techniques, observed limitations and suggestion for improvement.

Online Tadarus Quran Tanpa Suara (Online TTS): Cabaran Komuniti OKU Pekak

Tadarus is a group Quran recitation activity that is usually carried out during the month of Ramadan. Although Ramadan is this time during the pandemic season, this activity is still actively being continued online. This situation is no exception for the deaf community. Taking inspiration to provide opportunities and space for them to participate with the Quran, using methods that celebrate their strength and learning disabilities, an online tadarus program called Online Tadarus Suara (Online TTS) was conducted using google meets platform. Therefore, this study aims to explore the challenges faced by the deaf community in the programme. The methodology used is the analysis of documents by analyzing the current reports of each facilitator on a daily basis and the feedback provided through the Google Form forms provided. In addition, researchers also perform observations to every TTS Online class recording on a daily basis. The findings showed that participants were able to participate in the TTS Online session well despite several challenges that could be categorised into two parts, namely internal and external challenges such as weaknesses in mastering Quran Hand Code, time and internet network access. However, it is hoped that this Quranic service will bring deaf people closer to the miracle of the Quran by celebrating the learning disability of this community based on visual strength. Abstrak Tadarus merupakan aktiviti pembacaan Quran secara berkelompok yang lazimnya dilakukan sewaktu bulan Ramadan. Walaupun Ramadan pada kali ini dalam musim pandemik, aktiviti ini masih giat diteruskan secara atas talian. Keadaan ini tidak berkecuali bagi komuniti OKU Pekak. Mengambil inspirasi untuk memberikan peluang dan ruang seluasnya bagi mereka turut serta berdamping dengan Quran, menggunakan kaedah yang meraikan kekuatan dan kelainan upaya belajar mereka, maka sebuah program tadarus secara atas talian iaitu Online Tadarus Tanpa Suara (Online TTS) telah dijalankan menggunakan platform Google Meets.Oleh yang demikian, kajian ini berhasrat untuk meneroka cabaran yang dihadapi oleh komuniti OKU Pekak dalam program tersebut. Metodologi yang digunakan ialah analisis dokumen dengan menganalisis laporan semasa setiap fasilitator pada setiap hari dan maklum balas yang diberikan melalui borang Google Form yang disediakan. Selain itu, pengkaji juga melakukan pemerhatian kepada setiap rakaman kelas Online TTS yang dilakukan pada setiap hari. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan peserta mampu mengikuti sesi sesi Online TTS dengan baik walaupun terdapat beberapa cabaran yang boleh dikategorikan kepada dua bahagian iaitu cabaran dalaman dan luaran seperti kelemahan menguasai KTQ, masa dan capaian rangkaian internet. Walau bagaimanapun, diharapkan khidmat Quran ini mampu mendekatkan OKU Pekak dengan mukjizat al-Quran dengan meraikan kelainan upaya belajar komuniti ini berasaskan kekuatan visual.