Tag Archives: culture

A hearing sign language?!

Posted on Sunday, 30th October, 2016 by Ken Kwame

Most sign languages around the world are Deaf sign languages; that is sign languages used for communication with and among Deaf people, and created by Deaf people. But, a few years ago, a Deaf man told me about a sign … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on audism

Posted on Sunday, 3rd July, 2016 by Ken Kwame

Audism. It’s a relatively new word, only coined in 1975. But it’s been the reality of the Deaf for a long time. What is is? “The notion that one is superior based on one’s ability to hear or behave in … Continue reading →

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Thoughts spring from Roots

Posted on Sunday, 26th June, 2016 by Ken Kwame

After hearing my mother refer to the 1977 mini-series Roots as a child, I felt a strong pull towards the History Channel’s remake that premiered this year. About a month ago, I sat with my friend to watch every high and … Continue reading →

Posted in English, Languages, Linguistics, Patwa | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cultural Appropriation on National Television, Audism on Facebook

Posted on Sunday, 29th May, 2016 by Ken Kwame

In my humble opinion, the “blessing” of “souls” should not be done at the expense of offending an entire culture. Continue reading →

Posted in Interpreting, JSL, Languages | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Alexander Graham Bell, Audism, and Associations for the Deaf

Posted on Sunday, 10th April, 2016 by Ken Kwame

I am not big on reality TV. So if it wasn’t for social media and one of my good friends, I probably wouldn’t even know about Nyle DiMarco. In just about every other sentence as she tells me about Nyle, … Continue reading →

Posted in JSL, Miscellaneous Language Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Patwa… It stil de ya

Posted on Sunday, 3rd May, 2015 by Ken Kwame

We can either empower people in their own tongue, or we can oppress them with that of their slavemasters from generations past. Continue reading →

Posted in Linguistics, Patwa | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

ASL, another JSL, and LSF!

Posted on Sunday, 30th November, 2014 by Ken Kwame

For those of you who have never seen a sign language other than JSL/ASL, here’s a chance to see two: Here, you will see signs from three sign languages juxtaposed: Japanese Sign Language, American Sign Language, and French Sign Language. … Continue reading →

Posted in JSL | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

But what to do with the pain?

Posted on Sunday, 14th April, 2013 by Ken Kwame

Last week, I was reminded quite forcefully how horrible my JSL is. Hearing non-signers often seem so impressed with my signing, but if they only knew how much I struggle to catch what’s happening around me in a fluent conversation, … Continue reading →

Posted in JSL | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Because it’s rude….

Posted on Monday, 25th March, 2013 by Ken Kwame

I’ve been mentioning Robyn here a lot of late, and I shall do so again now. Once, she said something that I’ve been mulling over since then. I wonder if she even remembers. Anyway, she said that it’s impolite, if … Continue reading →

Posted in JSL, Miscellaneous Language Issues, 日本語 | Tagged | 5 Comments

Together, in one land

Posted on Monday, 7th January, 2013 by Ken Kwame

One marked difference between the USA and my country is that people don’t have to open their mouths for the language diversity to be evident. You can see it. It’s more than seeing Patwaisms in amateur Jamaican signs; in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous Language Issues | Tagged | 5 Comments