Sign Language

Sign Language Workshop

By Hannah Duffy

Each form got a chance to learn Irish Sign Language and about the deaf community on different days throughout the month of November as part of the Sign Language course. My form, 4B, completed this workshop on the 6th of November.

Everyone went over to The Pavilion for half a day and got the chance to learn from our instructor Jenny. Before we even got to the sign language section of this workshop, Jenny told us about some of the deaf children she works with and the different methods they use to communicate or hear their family members and friends. She explained that some people wear cochlear implants to help them hear while others rely entirely on sign language, some also use a mixture of both.

We were then taught many of the basic phrases and conversation topics in sign language. We all now know how to ask someone what their name is (and how to respond to that question), how to ask someone how they are (and how to reply to it), the basic colours, animals and where we live. It was really interesting and beneficial to all of our lives to learn the basics of Irish Sign Language (ISL) as Jenny told us that deaf people appreciate people just trying to sign to them, whether they are effective or not. This is perhaps the most important part to take away from this workshop. In order for deaf people to have the same opportunities as everyone else communication is key. Jenny said that a little goes a long way and that as long as you try to sign people will be very appreciative and will teach you things you don’t know in order to help.

This workshop was one that will stick with us for the rest of our lives.