Introduction
The language of Sign (Sign Language) is a short film by the Mocomi team filmed at the Red Cross school for the deaf in Pune. This film is made as part of our language editorial. The purpose of this piece is to showcase how the hearing impaired speak and their relationship with language. The amazing thing about the whole experience was how happy, motivated & caring the wonderful kids & teachers at the school were.
We would like to thank Mrs. Rani Parasnis, Principal of the Deaf school for her time & help by allowing us access to her school.
Facts about Sign Language
About 3 in 1,000 babies are born with hearing impairment, making it the most common birth defect. Half of all cases of deafness and hearing impairment are avoidable through primary prevention. Over 300 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing impairment.
Hearing impairment in children may delay development of language and cognitive skills, which may hinder progress in school. Sign language, which is a language of hand movements, allows deaf people to communicate with one another without speaking. ISL (Indian sign language) is not a recognised language in India, however, it is used by millions of hearing impaired people across the country.
Sign Language has its own grammatical structure independent of any spoken/written language, e.g. English, Hindi, and Marathi, etc.
Sign Language is used to tell jokes, ask riddles, express sarcasm, tell lies, create idioms, make poetry, etc.
Famous people with hearing impairments
Anjan Bhattacharya, Ranji trophy cricketer & fastest Indian bowler in 1970
Marlee Matlin, first deaf person to win an Oscar
Jim Verraros, American Idol finalist
Mabel Hubbard, wife of Alexender Graham Bell
Stefan LeFors, Canadian footballer
Sir William McMahon, Australian Prime Minister
Gertrude Ederle, first woman to swim across the English Channel
Helen Adam Keller, author, political activist, lecturer & first deaf blind person to get a Bachelor of Arts degree
Special Thanks to
The Red Cross School for hearing impaired, Pune
Mrs. Rani Parasnis
Music
Wilhelm Neuland-Guitar and Piano Duets on the Tune of Non Piu Mesta Courtesy Aaron Prillaman & MUSOPEN.org
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