TBC News, Issue 69

from Are We Really Free?

"We desire to celebrate our identity as Deaf people without paying attention to outside interference, but we avoid the necessary work. We long for happiness without problems. We stay busy complaining, gossiping and escaping to have good times in order to feel better for a short while. As a result, we do not have time to focus on our values and regain our pride. We cannot always have pleasure without responsibilities."

from The Moment I Learned That What I Had Been Signing Was a Language

"Ms. Galloway waved her arms and hands to announce that we were done for the day with math and said she had something to share with us . . . something interesting. So we all eagerly put our math books away (much to my delight, a math illiterate here). Ms. Galloway started in her usual way when questioning or motivating us. She said “YOU KNOW, DEAF TEND SIGN. . . !@?#*! THAT . . . HAVE NAME.” (English translation: You know that we, the Deaf, have been signing . . . our way . . . has a name.) She then turned around and wrote on the blackboard, AMESLAN."

from Our Deaf Community: A Cultural Perspective

"Many Deaf senior citizens have told me stories about their interaction with me at a younger age. My mother’s grieving process was shortened. She encouraged me to go to the Deaf club or any Deaf community activities. She knew that I could be successful in whatever I do in life because she has already met some successful Deaf adults. I am thankful for that special earliest contact with the Deaf community. THANK YOU."

from Bilingual Learners: Principles that Help; False Assumptions that Harm

"Research shows that using students’ primary language is the fastest way to both English proficiency and academic competence. Whole language teachers advocate the use of a second language learner’s first language in school for several reasons: (1)bilingual students build important background knowledge and concepts in their first language, and these concepts transfer into English;(2) bilingual students come to value their own language and culture; and (3) bilingual students maintain important ties and become valuable bilingual members of the larger community."

from Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover 

"Whoever said “Don’t judge a book by its cover” surely must have meant this book by Humphrey and Alcorn (H&A). Quite frankly, the cover is the best part of this book. What exactly is so troublesome about this book by H&A?"