Ch 14

Chapter 14 discusses fingerspelling and many components of it. The book gives some advice on how to improve you clarity and speed on fingerspelling. He states that "Setting aside a half hour every day for practice is ideal" (106). As a college kid I constantly fill like I am rushed and on a constant time constraint. Finding free time is near impossible. The author makes suggestions that little moments like bus ride, walking to class, and/or watching a program a person can work on fingerspelling. I find myself moving my hands and running through the alphabet a lot when my hands are free, and hopefully the practice will pay off in the long run.

“Mangled letters, self-conscious giggling while spelling, unrelated gesticulations, (such as ‘erasing’ mistakes from the air) and a general aura of embarrassment underscore one’s awkwardness and lack of confidence- none of which help communication” (106). This statement caught my attention. When I hear someone giving a speech or public speaking in general and they giggle or act embarrassed at a mistake they made, I in my head categorize them as an idiot or unprofessional. I am fully aware that mistakes are part of life and everyone will make them, but there is a correct and professional way to correcting a mistake. I am going to have to start working on my confidence with fingerspelling. Confidence helps and in the end with a lot of practice my fingerspelling will get better, When I mess up while talking to a deaf person I don’t want them to be thinking in their head that I am unprofessional and stupid

  “As always, the best advice is to get real-life practice- with others” (107). I agree one hundred percent with this statement. I practice a lot on my own time, but when I communicate with others it helps me more than when I practice myself.  A cool idea Zach gave us in class is that if you are driving down the park way you can practice by signing things on signs or billboards. Like anything else with success there has to be practice.

Works Cited

Morre, S. Matthew, and Linda Levitan. For Hearing People Only. 3rd Ed. Rochester, New York: MSM Productions, Ltd.,2003.Print.