The popular use of sign language in the Republic of China on Taiwan may be traced back to 1971 when the American Wayne Smith came to Taiwan for language studies. In his spare time Wayne assisted English instruction at a school for the deaf, where he became interested in sign language and deaf education. He eventually went back to the States to work on an M.A. in education for the deaf. Returning to Taiwan in 1977, he solicited the help of the College Students Deaf Association, and set up introductory classes in sign language at the YWCA.
The real high tide for sign language, however, must be attributed to the Taipei Theatre of the Deaf, organized and directed by Wang Ch'i-mei, assistant professor at the National Institute of the Arts. Wang had been moved by deaf theatre performances in the United States, and returned here to work with the Association for the Deaf in directing performances of plays, music and poetry using sign language. The first performance in 1978 was well-received. By showing their creative and expressive talents, the deaf performers gave the public a new impression, and exposed it to their own silent language.
In 1981 the Ministry of Education went a step further to promote a unified sign language. It directed the Taipei, Tainan and Taichung Municipal Schools for the Deaf to work in coordination with their city governments and the China Youth Corps to organize courses which would give more people the opportunity to learn sign language.
According to statistics, Taiwan has 3,756 citizens registered with speaking disabilities, and 3,055 with hearing or equilibrium disabilities. Most of these disabilities were caused by factors after birth. Nevertheless, these people are able to receive education and lead normal lives.
With the combined efforts of both the deaf and non-deaf, sign language is becoming more and more universal. During the 1980 elections of the people's central representatives, announcements of political platforms were accompanied by sign language. Such procedures have helped to increase the deaf's participation in government and influence in the community.
In 1982, television song competitions with sign language accompaniment became popular. At the same time, news reports in sign language were also initiated.
Another contributor to the universalization of sign language was Wang Li-ju. Wang set up a new program which combined dance and sign language, and adapted them to contemporary songs. These performances aided the deaf in realizing the expressive power of their language.
People of all ages and from all walks of life have taken up sign language. Their motives range from the desire to communicate with a relative, to an interest in expanding their field of knowledge and keeping active, to simple curiosity.
The sign language which is now taught originated in mainland China and Japan. The Japanese gestures were of two types, from Tokyo and Osaka. In addition to these, Taiwan had an indigenous sign language. All came to be divided into three types, based on the geographical areas of north, middle and south.
Beginning in 1975, the Ministry of Education began the work of unifying sign languages on Taiwan. Senior teachers from Taiwan's schools for the deaf, along with specialists in sign language, worked together of the project, and in 1978 completed a 2000-word illustrated handbook of standard sign language. A second edition was to follow immediately after. These books are now universally used in Taiwan.
Sign language is not an international language. Every country has their own, based on that country's spoken language. Chinese sign language is very similar to written Chinese. Like Chinese characters, Chinese sign language gestures may be pictographic, ideographic, borrowed from foreign languages, etc. For example, the gesture for the word "orchid" is pictographic--hands opening up to form a blooming lily. The gesture for "feelings" is ideographic--both hands placed on the chest. The words which are borrowed from foreign languages are expressed in the sign language of that country.
Learning sign language is not difficult. It simply requires the coordination of hands and mind, lots of practice and a good memory. The reader must keep eyes constantly alert, and make generous use of the imagination. Any mistake in finger placement or direction could be cause for misunderstanding. Hand gestures must also be coordinated with facial expression and other body movements. For example, the gesture for cold must be accompanied by a shivering expression.
Learning sign language through song is a fun and popular activity. Not all songs are appropriate to expression in sign language, however. The song should have a slow tempo to allow time for formation of hand gestures, and must be simple and objective in content to make for clearer expression.
While people learn sign language for different reasons and in varying situations, the main purpose of the language is to provide a vehicle for effective communication with the deaf. Much has been done to make this silent language effective, universal and unified. And much will continue to be accomplished.
(Jill Ardourel)
[Picture Caption]
1. Deaf children, with the assistance of hearing aids, use both hands and mouth to express themselves. 2. Wang Li-ju demonstrates the sign language gesture for the word "orchid". 3. In televised competitions in sign language with musical accompaniment, gestures and dance are often combined.
1. In the fourth public performance of the Taipei Theater of the Deaf, the troupe performed the Cantonese song "A Little Candlelight". (photo by Chang Chung-ye) 2. Students attending a class in sign language imitate their teacher in forming the word for "six". 3. "Repeat after me...Ma... Maaa..." A kindergarten teacher at the Taipei Municipal School for the Deaf helps a student with pronunciation.
2. Wang Li-ju demonstrates the sign language gesture for the word "orchid".
3. In televised competitions in sign language with musical accompaniment, gestures and dance are often combined.
1. In the fourth public performance of the Taipei Theater of the Deaf, the troupe performed the Cantonese song "A Little Candlelight". （photo by Chang Chung-ye）
2. Students attending a class in sign language imitate their teacher in forming the word for "six".
3. "Repeat after me...Ma... Maaa..." A kindergarten teacher at the Taipei Municipal School for the Deaf helps a student with pronunciation.
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