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Rowena's Reviews > Seeing Voices: A Journey into the World of the Deaf
Seeing Voices: A Journey into the World of the Deaf
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“We are remarkably ignorant about deafness…Ignorant and indifferent.” I would definitely agree that I was relatively ignorant about deafness, probably because I didn’t know any deaf people until some months ago. Making the acquaintance of a young deaf man made me really curious about deaf people in general. This book taught me so much, it was truly enlightening.I think it should be read by everyone. Some of the stories about the deaf population's struggle for acceptance were very powerful and poignant, and I was embarrassed that I had been so unaware of their struggles.
A great quote:
“And to be defective in language, for a human being, is one of the most desperate of calamities, for it is only through language that we enter fully into our human estate and culture, communicate freely with our fellows, acquire and share information. If we cannot do this, we will be bizarrely disabled and cut off- whatever our desires or endeavours, or native capacities.”
A great quote:
“And to be defective in language, for a human being, is one of the most desperate of calamities, for it is only through language that we enter fully into our human estate and culture, communicate freely with our fellows, acquire and share information. If we cannot do this, we will be bizarrely disabled and cut off- whatever our desires or endeavours, or native capacities.”
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Reading Progress
May 29, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 29, 2013
– Shelved
May 29, 2013
– Shelved as:
psychology
June 13, 2013
–
Started Reading
June 16, 2013
–
Finished Reading
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Marcy
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Jun 13, 2013 04:23PM
Oh, yay! I hope you enjoy it! :-D
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I am, Marcy! Thanks so much for the recommendation, it's enthralling stuff! :)
I should read this. That *is* a great quote. It's a communication disability above anything else and communication is so prevalent in life, work, personal relationships and so on. I've had people think that deafness means greater danger or are sorry that I can't hear music or birds but to me, it's not about those things - those things actually don't matter very much - it's about communication.
Bethan wrote: "I should read this. That *is* a great quote. It's a communication disability above anything else and communication is so prevalent in life, work, personal relationships and so on. I've had people t..."I agree. Thanks for your comment. The main tragedy in my opinion is the fact that many deaf people have not been given the proper support they need in acquiring language. My young friend was telling me about how many of the deaf children in his home town (in Japan)don't have enough language and therefore can't communicate. He was very frustrated with the Japanese education system for the deaf and that's one of the reasons he moved to Canada. I've learned so much from him that I've encouraged him to begin a blog. Anyway, I'm rambling :)
I'm so glad you posted this review. This book was not on my radar and sadly, I have never given deafness a lot of thought. I am looking forward to reading this book!
Rosa wrote: "I'm so glad you posted this review. This book was not on my radar and sadly, I have never given deafness a lot of thought. I am looking forward to reading this book!"I'm so glad, Rosa! It's a wonderful book and should be read by all. Enjoy :)
I hope he does start a blog as well. I went to a school for the deaf that actually selected the smartest deaf people yet there were a lot who had poor English (if you can't hear language being used around you, that impacts a lot on being able to learn language). Then there's the issue of not being taught or allowed to use sign language as in my case, and so on.
Bethan wrote: "I hope he does start a blog as well. I went to a school for the deaf that actually selected the smartest deaf people yet there were a lot who had poor English (if you can't hear language being used..."I hope I'm not being too nosy Bethan, but why weren't you allowed to use sign language? Were they trying to encourage lip reading? The Sacks book showed me how wonderful and intricate sign language is, I don't understand why they wouldn't allow you to use it:(
My friend is working on the blog now:) He only learned English a couple of years ago so I'm helping him edit his posts. He is so excited as he feels so isolated in Canada, so I'm very happy for him:)
It's really nice that you're helping him out. I'm impressed that he has learnt English. Yes, I wasn't allowed to learn sign language because my parents wanted to do the oral method with me - speaking, using hearing aids (too bad that I am profoundly deaf and it is a failure - it works better for people with more residual hearing than I have). I think there were social and psychological reasons behind it as well (not wanting me to be 'different').
Bethan wrote: "It's really nice that you're helping him out. I'm impressed that he has learnt English. Yes, I wasn't allowed to learn sign language because my parents wanted to do the oral method with me - spea..."
Thanks Bethan. He said he's sick and tired of the Japanese education system for the deaf. He had to drop out of University due to lack of support. Canada's colleges are pretty great in that regard. Also, if he can learn ASL he'll be able to communicate with more people. He's such an inspiration, he has a lot of determination.
Did you ever end up learning how to sign, Bethan? The book goes a little into parents who don't wish for their child to sign too, I'd never realized some parents would be against it.
I have a little.. between level 1 and 2 of British Sign Language but I have hearing culture and am not good at languages either so .. I never could learn it well or relate that well either. It is too bad. If I could change my parents's decision, I would. Maybe it would be at the cost of English but I don't know.
So many eye-opening passages in this book. My favorite Sacks book so far.
Cynda wrote: "So many eye-opening passages in this book. My favorite Sacks book so far."I'm hoping to read more by him soon!
