What Is Sign Language For Me?

I am really interested in Communication. That is why I would love to learn many languages such as English, Chinese, and Russian. I think that Sign Language is also one of those languages. In Sign Language, sound is not so important but the hands is important. Facial expressions and mouth movements are also necessary. However, languages are languages.

There are some people who say Languages are just tools for communication. Yes, but I think that it is not just a tool but a vital thing for every one. I cannot convey my feelings or opinions to other people without languages. Language is a culture itself. If I look at a language, I can get much information about people who are using the language, and their lives, and the area or country in which the language is used. I know that Language has a big power to move people and even a country.

I knew of the existence of some kind of language for deaf people before I started to learn Sign Language in our club. However, I have never learned any of them except how to express my name in Japanese Sign Language. I learned it when I was an elementary school student. There was a finger letter list on the back wall of my class room. I had never seen people who cannot hear or speak until I joined the Sign Language Club. Actually, I was planning to set up another kind of Sign Language Club which was for people who want to do ”Sign Language Chorus”. I submitted an application form for a new club activity. At that time, a boy who is a present leader in our club was going to establish a Sign Language Club as well as me. However, he was planning to learn Sign Language as a language. At first, I could not imagine learning Sign Language as if it were a foreign language. The reason why we combined our clubs was to not make two Sign Language clubs because it would be very confusing if there were two sign language clubs.

When I started to learn sign languages: ASL and JSL, I found that Sign Languages are significant and very interesting. I felt that it was very interesting to learn them from the basics. First, I was surprised at the big differences between ASL and JSL. I was thinking that they were the same or quite similar. However, except finger letters, they are very different. When I noticed their differences, I truly realized that Sign Languages are real languages.

I go to Akita city to a club there with some club members. I have the opportunity to talk with deaf people. It is very difficult for me to express my feelings, to explain what I want to say in Sign Language. Even though all of the members there are Japanese, sometimes we cannot understand each other. At first, I was frustrated with my poor Sign Language skill and thought that I could not master it. However, the more I participated in each activity, the more I realized what is most important. The most important thing is my attitude. In AIU, a lot of students and teachers came from many different countries. Our common language is usually English. For me, English is necessary especially in AIU. Yet, I don’t have confidence in my English skill. So I couldn’t talk with them much at first. However, I was eager to know their cultures and their thoughts about things; I tried to communicate with them as much as I could. Now I have many friends all over the world. I remembered this experience. Although I cannot use the language, I can communicate with people as long as I want to talk with them.

If I could master Sign Language I would be able to communicate with people more smoothly. I want to ask many people what they feel and think about things I am curious about. Maybe they have different thoughts or feelings from mine.

I can hear, speak, and see. I want to use anything I can use to communicate with people impartially. I want to contribute to society if somebody needs my skills.