Types of Communication

There are two main types of communication:

• Manual (using your hands) - Sign language

• Oral/aural - Speaking/listening

British Sign Language (BSL)

This is the language that is the most commonly used by deaf people in Britain.  It is a visual language using gestures of the hands and facial expressions and body language.

BSL is an independent language with a structure and grammar different from that of spoken and written English.  It cannot be used at the same time as spoken English but can be used in education as part of a bi-lingual approach.

There are different signs used in different parts of the country, and some localised signs just as there are regional differences and dialects in spoken English.

Auralism

This word is used to cover both oral (speaking) and aural (listening) approaches to communication.  The child, wearing their hearing aids, uses the hearing they have together with lip-reading to develop speech.

There are many other different terms which people use when they talk about communication. The most commonly used are listed below.

Bi-Lingualism

This is when the child is learning and using two languages.  Usually for deaf children these are English and British Sign Language.

Finger-spelling

Each of the letters of the alphabet is represented by a different hand position.  In Britain, most people use a two-handed alphabet but in other countries a different version may be used, for example in the USA, a one handed version is used.  Finger-spelling is used to spell names and to clarify words when needed.

Lip-reading/Speech reading

When people speak, their lips , jaw and tongue make movements.  Lip-reading or speech reading is the ability to read these movements and lip patterns.  It is easier to lip-read if there is some ‘residual hearing’.  It is not possible to distinguish all the sounds of speech from lip-reading alone and the person is helped by taking in information from facial expression and body language.  Knowledge of the spoken language is also extremely important for successful lip-reading.

Signed English

This takes signs from British Sign Language together with specifically developed signs which are only used in signed English.  It is used along with finger-spelling to give an exact manual representation of spoken English.  It is designed to be used at the same time as spoken English.

Sign Supported English

This is a sign support system which uses signs taken from British Sign Language together with finger-spelling.  It is used in English word order but doesn’t sign every word that is spoken.

Total Communication

Sometimes it is necessary to use more than one communication method in order to provide total understanding for a deaf child.  Total communication is a philosophy which involves the selection of the most appropriate communication methods for a child at a given time in order to gain a more complete understanding of the language.  Total communication may involve the use of oral/aural support and/or the use of a sign system.

A leaflet with the full list of terms can be obtained from the NDCS

Tips

• Don’t speak until you have your child’s attention

• Position yourself in front of and on the same level as your child

• Make sure your face is towards the light. Don’t sit in front of a window as this will put your face in a shadow and make it difficult for a child to read your lips

• Do not eat, smoke or cover your lips while speaking

• Make sure background noise is kept to a minimum

• Wherever possible ensure that the room you are in is well lit and carpeted

• Don’t shout.  This makes your lip pattern more difficult to understand and make your child think you are angry with them

• Speak clearly, a little slower than usual but keep your rhythm of speech

• Use sentences rather than single words. It is easier for a child to work out what has been said when it is in context

• Some words are difficult to lip-read, you may need to use a different word with the same meaning

• Check with your child that they have understood

• Use a gesture to support what you are saying and appropriate facial expressions; joy, sadness etc

• When changing the topic of conversation, pause or indicate to make sure your child can follow what is being said

• If your child is older and can read, if they are having difficulty understanding you can write things down

• Don’t give up

Support

Interpreters English/British Sign Language

Sign language interpreting is a highly skilled profession which involves working in a variety of environments and different situation such as in court, educational settings and business meetings.  It takes many years of training to qualify as a professional interpreter.

Lip-speakers

A lip-speaker is a hearing person trained to convey a speaker’s message to lip-readers accurately using unvoiced speech, clear lip patterns, facial expressions and gestures to help the lip-reader to understand.  They are usually in situations when it would be difficult for the lip-reader to read the speakers lips e.g. in a large or dark venue.

Children who are deaf and attending hospital appointments or meetings to discuss their education should have the same access to information as hearing children. Parents should not be expected to take the role of interpreter for their children.  If you feel your child needs a lip-speaker or an interpreter to enable them to fully participate in any discussion regarding their health or education, please inform the service concerned before you attend the appointment.

Communication Support Workers

These are also known as CSW’s or communicators.  They support deaf students in further or higher education, working closely with other professionals, such as teachers of the deaf. A CSW’s work can range from note-taking to interpreting.  They work primarily in educational settings with students who may have a slight hearing loss, profoundly deaf students who may not use sign language or deafened people and those with additional learning disabilities.  CSW’s are trained in communication skills, teaching methods and related issues.

Note-takers

Support deaf students in further and higher education by taking comprehensive notes which can be passed onto the students for revision.  Note-takers must be aware of deaf issues.  They may be CSW’s or just have completed a short course for those who only want to be note-takers.

The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People, CACDP, set the professional standards and award the different qualifications required for all of the above jobs.

How to find Communication Support

The CACDP hold a directory of registered sign language interpreters, lip-speakers, and interpreters for deafblind people, speech and text reporters and agencies able to provide an interpreter.  All those listed in the directory are suitably qualified and available for interpreting assignments.  They should also be able to advise you which of these are based in your area.

Sign Language/Lip-reading Classes

Many of the adult education colleges provide courses in sign language or lip reading.  You can contact your local education authority for a complete list of colleges.  The CACDP can also advise you on where classes are being held.  Sometimes the schools with Total communication units run classes.