Dinner Table Dialogue

Dinner Table Dialogue

Signer: Dr. David R. Meek

The majority of hearing children are raised learning their family’s native language by listening, talking, reading and writing.  However, language acquisition for deaf children is different.  Many hearing families, who find out that their child is deaf, have never met a deaf person before and more than likely, do not know sign language.  Imagine a family with one deaf child.  Everyone communicates by speaking except for the deaf child who uses sign language.  The family includes the child by pointing or gesturing, and do not fully include the child in dinner conversations. These interactions are known as the “dinner table syndrome.”  If parents decide to learn sign language, the family and their child can learn the language together.  Now, imagine during the same dinner, everyone can sign.  Everyone would be included in conversations, including the deaf child.  The deaf child is now exposed to a language experience that can build their language skills and provide them world knowledge.  Communication between the family will create a bond that supports the structure of a family unit.  

There are some tips that include:
1.  Make sure everyone has eye contact.
2.  Make sure one person signs at one time. You can take turns.
3.  If the deaf child knows a new word in sign, ask the child what the new sign means.
Most deaf children are visual learners. When the family learns to sign, they support their deaf child’s natural learning abilities, as well as provide a fully accessible language.
 
The article is from a magazine called, "The Endeavor" and can be found at this link. It also provides additional tips on how to include your deaf child. Thank you.