Yes, that is right. Hands can actually speak; words, sentences and for hours an end too if you like. And no it is not body language, as one might think. This is sign language. Sign language is different from just using gestures. Gestures can be universal for example; the sign to show food, drink, and sleep are commonly used and are easily understood by a vast majority of people. Although other hand gestures can be easily mistaken like, the hand gesture that says, ‘hello’ in some places can also mean, ‘come.’
Yes, that is right. Hands can actually speak; words, sentences and for hours an end too if you like. And no it is not body language, as one might think. This is sign language. Sign language is different from just using gestures. Gestures can be universal for example; the sign to show food, drink, and sleep are commonly used and are easily understood by a vast majority of people. Although other hand gestures can be easily mistaken like, the hand gesture that says, ‘hello’ in some places can also mean, ‘come.’
Being able to communicate without sound is an amazing but intricate process that has gradually evolved into a language known as Sign Language. This soundless combination of gestures, facial expressions as well as deliberate finger and hand formations all come together to create meaning for people living in a silent world, no cooing sounds of a first baby, no welcome voice of a lover, no blaring horns of impatient drivers – just quiet, absolute silence!
Just as words are to verbal language, images or pictures are to sign language. In short, you use words to convey meaning, the Deaf employ visuals in all forms to communicate. This can be on their bodies (gestures or face (facial expressions), hand signs or through the media e.g. T.V images, videos or actual drawn pictures. Show a Deaf person a picture or a video of something and they are likely to understand it much better than when you explain to them using signs.
This beautiful language is crafted based on local things, events people or places. For instance the sign for ‘Kibagabaga’ is different from ‘Kimironko’ because there are different things found there. People in the same community are baptized, sign names based on their actual names and distinct facial or head shape features. This could be a birthmark, scar, nose, eye or mouth shape or a common gesture the person uses. For example my sign name is made by curving the hand into a ‘c’ shape and it passing it through the right hand of the head. Why? Because I used to often plait my hair using the corn row style. So the same way the hearing people call names is the same way the Deaf identify the person using their sign name. If you reach out to the Deaf, you will be amazed by how much there is to learn and enjoy too but ultimately the gift of hearing is something that you will start to appreciate God for.
Lois Nakibuuka is an educator and counsellor
lnakibuuka@yahoo.com