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I am congenitally Deaf. (Rōsha; Deaf people → people who can barely hear or cannot hear at all are called “Rōsha; Deaf people.“) Therefore, although Japanese Sign Language is my native language, I often speak using my voice when I’m in the city or at work. If that is also difficult, I use a sign language interpreter.
It has been four years since I have been working as an interviewer for the National Sign Language Proficiency Test, in addition to teaching a training course for sign language service personnel sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
What I feel now is that the number of TV dramas featuring sign language have become more common, and with the broadcast of “Silent” last year and princess Kako’s speech in sign language, the number of people who want to learn sign language seems to have increased as well. There was a sign language drama starring actor Kusanagi in December 2023, and although there used to be a strong tendency to “learn sign language to help the deaf,” it seems that the trend has completely changed now and more and more people “want to learn sign language for their own sake” and because it’s “fun for them.”
When I ask my students why they, they often reply, “after learning sign language, I understood the importance of face to face conversation,” and “I learned that facial expressions are also important.”
It would be a great pleasure if, through sign language, people could feel the “importance of communication” regardless of whether they are deaf or hearing.
As a tutor, one of the most common struggles I hear is that people want to learn sign language, but they don’t have anyone to practice it with.
The number of native signers is quite limited.
It is estimated that congenitally deaf people make up 0.1% of the total population. In Japan, it is estimated that there are around 120,000 people, but even fewer use sign language as their native language due to the environment they grew up in, including their household and schools. (Perhaps an estimate of 60,000? or maybe even less _)
I would love to help people who want to learn sign language but don’t know where to start because they don’t know anyone who speaks sign language, as much as I can.
【Introduction】
For those who are completely new to sign language, I will teach the following topics!
・What kind of language is sign language?
・First, let’s try to imitate the tutor’s hand movements (very important)
・Learn how to introduce yourself.
【Beginner】
Why not join me to have fun learning the basics?
・Learn to be able to have a simple conversation
・Learn to express and read finger letters.
・Learn words that are often used in daily life.
【Intermediate】
If you think you understand sign language a little, why not aim to advance to the next level!
・Be able toread and express finger signs almost perfectly.
・Be able to have daily conversation without speaking out loud.
(Since I cannot hear, the goal here is to be able to have daily conversations in sign language without using the chat function)
【Preparation for the National Sign Language Proficiency Test】
The National Sign Language Proficiency Test is held once or twice a year, and includes an interview in which you have to speak in sign language, but many applicants get extremely nervous.
I would like to help you relieve your nervousness by giving you some interview tips in advance.
【 Cafetalk Translation / January 2024 】
Please note that this profile has been translated by Cafetalk for easier understanding. The tutor doesn’t speak English.
***ami