What you should know...

In this world, there is an uncountable number of languages. Some languages are more popular such as Spanish, French or English, and others that are less popular such as Polish, Dutch, or Danish. However, there is a language that people don't seem to be interested in and you may already what it is. Take a guess? Sign language? You got it right!

Sign Language is more important than we think because there are millions of people that need it to communicate. Lamentably, most of them live in unfavorable conditions (low- and middle-income countries) and do not have the best attention. They struggle to get some access to appropriate ear and hearing care services. That made their lives more difficult to live. Also, because of the economic need, they cannot ask for outside help from professional people such as interpreters or translators. So, when we think about it, Sign Language is accompanied by more problems than we think.

I want to tell you some other facts about that language and it may change your perspective about deaf people. There are currently more than 466 million people in the world who have a hearing loss which means more than 5% of the world's population. Also, 34 million children and 1 of 3 people over 65 years old are affected by this disability.

These are some of the reasons why I think people should be informed of this subject. Each of us can help those who have fewer resources and who do not have the same skills as us to communicate.

• Source #1: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

This video speaks once again of the importance we should give to people with hearing problems. That supported my first source because it highlights how important interpreters are and also the important things we should know about the deaf community.

It talks about how we persuade interpreters. We found that job interesting and sometimes even funny, but we don't think about the big impact and the good work they are doing for some people. We all need an education, a job, medical appointments, etc. Everyone should have access to the most common public services and all that kind of thing that needs communication. Interpreters are just doing the role of voice for those who aren't able to communicate their ideas. Lauren Tolo highlights the fact that deaf people are changing positively the world, she says: "Deaf people as a cultural identity are richly diverse, and today they are making strides in every field, developing new medical advances and inventing new technologies." That only confirms that the deaf community greatly impacts the world and are conscious of what is happening around them.

The first American school for deaf children, who is known now as American School for the Deaf (ASD), was established in Hartford, Connecticut in 1817. That building was the result of the partnership of 3 men: Mason Fitch Cogswell, an American doctor who was able to hear, however, he was the father of a deaf child; Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, an American reverend, who was also able to hear; and Laurent Clerc, a deaf French educator.

• Source #3 (Academic):

http://dc153.dawsoncollege.qc.ca:2077/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzExNzk4NDlfX0FO0?sid=0a05a651-96b8-495d-8b1f-8ea550e8420c@pdc-v-sessmgr06&vid=2&hid=/&format=EB

• Source #5 (Academic) :

http://dc153.dawsoncollege.qc.ca:2077/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzE0NDQ0NTRfX0FO0?sid=95cb4e05-703e-4433-b220-eeb12d38a909@sessionmgr4007&vid=2&hid=/&format=EB

Nowadays, IS functions as a contact language with some form-meaning conventions. Even though it is intensely affected by American Sign Language (ASL) internationally, experienced IS signers these days attempt to be as autonomous, from one particular national sign language, as conceivable to guarantee the fullest comprehension of the message from a huge audience of different backgrounds.