Join the Club!!

One of the unexpected things that I would be doing Guyana is learning American Sign Language. In our group of VSO’s (those who came August- September) there are two British deaf boys, who are working for the Community Based Rehabilitation Centre in Georgetown.

My mother knows Japanese Sign Language, and so does my youngest sister to some extent. I remember my mother told me that each language has its own set of sign language, as signs are often very cultural. There is a difference even between British and American sign languages.

People other than me and my roommate are already advanced, since they all lived in a hotel together first week and a half. They started a sign language club, and we meet every Tuesday night to have a potluck and learn sign language. Penina and I have quite a bit of catching up to do. Now I know alphabets and some words in sickness and food departments. It is difficult but fun to learn. Cool to be able to spell my name in the sign language. I also have a sign name, which is “m” hand sign with the gesture of taking a photo (they asked me what my hobby is)

I asked one of more advanced-level people to give a sort of crush course, so that we can keep up with “conversations.” There is not much I can do with words about food and being sick… I can’t keep spelling everything, and besides I am not the best when it comes to spelling. I am happy to be sensitized to issues of deaf people, as well. A colleague from my previous work was visually impaired, and I found it so enriching to work with her. I came to Guyana intending to study Spanish, but never thought that I would learn sign language. I am still trying to sign up for Spanish, but hopefully I can have basic conversation in sign language by the end of my placement. And then, I can talk to my mother about differences, which will be very interesting.