My Sign Language Soap Box

Tweet

Today my neighbor's son came home and was irritated because he had been given a spanish name. Which once again, set me off into my irritation with our public schools, and society's choice to cater to the spanish speaking community. I have absolutely no problem with people coming to the US. That is just how it is, and that if fine if they choose to do that. So this is not meant to offend those people. However, I DO have a problem with society deciding that everyone needs to learn spanish in order to make it possible for those people to live in our society. But what about all the people who cannot speak, or cannot hear, and use only sign language to communicate. I am talking about US born citizens, who are pushed aside, and have to live in their own communities, because we do nothing to help them and make them a part of society!! No, instead, we cater to those who have the ability to CHOOSE to speak english, but don't. And instead exile those who have NO CHOICE in learning to speak or hear english!! If you are deaf or mute, you can't just learn or decide to speak english, but those who are spanish speaking could choose to learn. So, in our public schools, they decide to teach spanish. Even though it is proven that sign language improves communication and verbal skills of those who are able to speak. So why not teach American Sign Language? Why not teach something that can allow for the children of our own country to be a part of normal society like we do for those who don't speak english? Part of the reason this is so sensitive for me is because my daughter has a speech disorder. We did not know if she would ever talk. But, the schools FORCED her to because they had no ability to do anything else, and refused to provide her with someone who knew sign language, because I had been teaching it to her. They said that because she was not deaf, and technically not mute, they wouldn't do it, and she would HAVE to learn to speak! Even though it was a neurological disorder and she couldn't just learn to speak. Before I close...I once again want to make it clear that I am NOT angry at people who speak spanish. I know that english is a tough language to learn. This is not meant to be derogitory towards them. I am upset at the general lack of consideration by US citizens towards another group of US citizens who could use our understanding, and yet we choose to close our eyes to it. Tell me what you think? Would you prefer for your child to learn spanish or sign language in grade school? I am curious what other people's views are on this subject.....