English:
Do you sign?
Sign:
SIGN YOU Q
>
English:
Are you deaf?
Sign:
DEAF YOU Q
English:
How are you?
Sign:
WHAT’S UP
Don’t pretend to be Deaf just to be able to practice your signing skills. In the Deaf community, as everywhere else, deception leads to mistrust, and promoting mistrust is a bad idea.
When you see two people standing close together and signing small, don’t stare. They may be having a private conversation.
Chewing gum is a no-no in Sign. Mouth movement is an important part of Signed communications. Do everyone a favor and keep chewing and signing separate.
Signin’ the Sign
Buddy and Della are at the park. Buddy sees Della make a gesture that looks like a Sign and decides to approach her.
Buddy:
Do you sign?
Sign:
SIGN YOU Q
Della:
Yes, are you deaf?
Sign:
YES — DEAF YOU Q
Buddy:
No, my sister is deaf.
Sign:
NO — MY SISTER — DEAF
Della:
Oh, I see; you sign well.
Sign:
OH I SEE — SIGN SKILL YOU
Getting Acquainted
As you get acquainted with folks, keep these tips in mind: