BS: I have passed

Subject: BS: I have passed
From: rock chick
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:10 AM

Well after a very hard 18 months I have just been told I have passed my level 3 British Sign Language.

Just after starting the course in November I went into hospital, stayed in for around 12 weeks but managed to get 'leave' for the weekends the course was running. I have to say I did not think at times I would get to the end of the course, it was very hard and needed a lot of concentration, which WAS difficult at time, but hey I did it. I don't normally pat myself on the shoulder and say well done but on this occasion I think I can.

I am one happy lady, in more ways then one. ;-)))


Shelagh.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:12 AM

You have done well, my child. Go forth and make finger signs at all you meet.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Little Hawk
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:15 AM

LOL! Still making everyone's day a little more surrealistic, eh, Rap?

At first glance, I thought we were gettting a message from a spirit of the departed, but no...

Well, that's good news, Shelagh! Congratulations on your accomplishment.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: rock chick
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:18 AM

Thanks guys.... oh Rapaire I promise I will only make nice finger signs to all that I meet, well unless they cut me up in the rush hour ;-))

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: redsnapper
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:21 AM

Well done rock chick!

RS

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Wesley S
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:24 AM

Way to go Rock Chick. My niece is a translator for her local school district. You are to be commended.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:25 AM

Great!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: rock chick
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:08 PM

I just can't stop smiling at this moment, i am just so elated right now ;^))

It was so important to get through this exam for many different reasons, but mainly for the work I really love doing.

Shelagh

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:09 PM

Well done Shelagh!

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:13 PM

Congratulations, Shelagh!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:17 PM

Good job!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:30 PM

I watched a local deaf school concert where the choir were signing as well as singing. One little lad at the front was making completely different gestures and when I asked what he was up I was told he was harmonising...

I'll get my coat, afer saying Well Done Rock Chick!

D.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Ebbie
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:34 PM

Great job, Rock Chick. Congratulations.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:48 PM

Well done!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 12:54 PM

<*{[[]}< Well done

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 01:26 PM

Weel done lass

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 01:29 PM

Still amazed, off out tonight to dance and 'gently' celebrate.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Leadfingers
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 01:40 PM

Have a good time Shelagh - And congratulations ! We'll have a go at Swing Low Sweet Chariot next time we get together !

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 01:41 PM

Kiss and a hug travelling through cyber space in your direction Shielagh.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 01:58 PM

Wow never had a cyber kiss and hug before!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: gnu
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 02:21 PM

Atta girl... good on ya!!!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: fat B****rd
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 03:55 PM

Well done. RC. I've started as a"mature" student myself and I must admit I'm a bit lost right now.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Bee
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 04:01 PM

Congratulations! I took a night course once to learn a little ASL, and it was very difficult, even the basics - I don't recall very much of it now, but I certainly applaud you.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 06:34 PM

Fat****rd keep at it, and yes it can be hard at first but after a while you will I am sure get back into the swing of it all. I had a great group who were very supportive, so they too have received a HUGE thank you from me.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 09:01 PM

congratulations, you've done a lot, especialy with a major illness interrupting your studies.

Years ago my office hired sign language interpretors when we had colleagues who could not hear. I remember thinking a shy, reserved person probably couldn't do that job.

One of my colleagues learnt Australian Sign Language as she worked with a hearing impaired colleague, & as they became close friends all her family learnt to sign. It was great to see her multilingual (English, Italian, Greek, ASL) 5 year old signing with her aunty.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: KT
Date: 27 Aug 07 - 11:58 PM

Good for you, Rock Chick! You must have a feeling of accomplishment to have achieved that AND relief to have it behind you!

It's a beautiful language!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 02:29 PM

So happy for you dear - what's next?!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 28 Aug 07 - 05:58 PM

Hi Liz, well a rest for a few months then possibly my pre level 4, just have to ensure I have the engery for it.

Shelagh

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 03:50 AM

A BIG well done mum, thought I would also post here, well you always talk about the Mudcat, or you are on it when I pop my head into your office, when you should be working! anyway I thought I would have a look in and surprise you.

No this will not be a regular occurance, as the only music I do is to listen to my DVD's.

love

Sarah XX

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: folk1e
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 04:22 AM

Well done girl!
I remember being behind a (UK)bus an d watching two kids signing to each other on the back seat. It looked almost musical .... if that makes sense?

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: PMB
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 04:36 AM

It does make sense. We used to go to a pub on some Friday nights years ago, just because that was the night deaf people used to gather there for a chat. Animated conversations all round, every now and then everybody would burst out laughing- except us, WE were the profoundly deaf and totally dumb there!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: open mike
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 05:12 AM

i have studied sign language, too.
and worked with hearing impaired
students. I would recommend this
book by Oliver Sachs...Seeing Voices.
an interesting study of the differences
between the "lip reading" and sign language
schools of deaf education.

good job!

my first experience with sign language
was in high school where some of us
communicated across the gymnasium at
basketball games. (by finger spelling)

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 05:54 AM

He he my cheeky daughter, wait to I see her later ;-)

Yes I too think sign language is truly a beautiful language, and extremely useful when in noisy places. That is a very interesting book Open mike, that and many others.

Yes folk le I can relate to what you say about it looked almost musical.

What I believe is interesting is when you apply for a job there can be a section on other languages, asking you to tick any that you speak, I note there is NEVER anything about BSL (British Sign Language) or SSE (Sign Supported English) or any of sign language i.e. Aslan etc etc, I ALWAYS add BSL as this is a recognised language in its own right, it has its own BSL grammar, syntax, construction and multi-channel signs etc. I also add SSE.

Oh better stop here or I will go on and on as it's a subject and issue I feel extremely strongly about.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: MudGuard
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 06:11 AM

I clasp my hands together in front of my smiling face and shake them vigorously back and forth.









(I hope British sign language is similar to American Sign language)

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 06:34 AM

Whose throat are they round MudGuard?!

Even I understand that gesture!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 08:09 AM

No it is different MudGuard, American (ASL) is one handed, BSL is both hands, it also is very regional across the UK, which can make it hard work when travelling, although it isn't normally too difficult.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 08:10 AM

Sorry that me 'guest' forgot to sign in above!

rc

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: MudGuard
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 09:07 AM

I hope the message came across anyway.

So Americans just clasp one hand together? ;-)

I didn't know there are regional dialects in sign language ...

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Schantieman
Date: 07 Sep 07 - 11:42 AM

Well - there are in speech so why not?

Well done Shelagh, and lovely to hear from somone who enjoys her work!

S

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 08:57 AM

Well done Shelagh. Having done a little myself in the past I know how hard it is.

Gillie

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 09:45 AM

Just received my certificate this morning, now it feels more offical, well i received a copy as i dont receive the real thing until the presentation.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: MudGuard
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 10:53 AM

Ok, second attempt:

Moving both fists, with thumbs upwards, in vertical circles in front of my chest.

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 11:50 AM

Mmmm not bad ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Severn
Date: 08 Sep 07 - 05:29 PM

It's always better once you've actually seen the paper. Congradulations!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Mr Happy
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 11:47 AM

As a compulsory school subject, BSL'd be really useful in everyone's life.

It's a mystery to be that its not taught more widely as a matter of course

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 09 Sep 07 - 02:33 PM

I totally agree Mr Happy, some primary schools do teach it, but they are few and far between. It is also taught at Brownies and cubs, I suppose it's a start in the right direction, although it should be a subject the same as any language in schools. This also teaches children at a young age that deafness is not a stigma anymore and is accepted.

There is still a lot of discrimination out there, I see this regularly in my work and quite often have to quote the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) to employers so that the D/deaf person is treated on an equal basis. Sorry going on a bit now, it's a subject I feel passionately about.

rc

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 04:37 AM

......................& it'd be so useful for everyone in very noisy situations or if you needed to communicate with someone in sight but a long way off.

The factory workers in the Lancashire cotton mills developed a system of mouth-signing, perhaps called 'mawking'?

I may've misremembered this term.

Anyone know it?

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 05:11 AM

John the expression you're looking for is mee-mawing
we used this at home when children were accused of mouthing words behind someones back!

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 05:26 AM

This is very interesting Mr Happy, I have just read the article Emma B and have printed it to keep with my files, its surprising what can be found. Thanks for this.

rc

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 05:53 AM

Thanks M!! 8-)

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,Norval
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 12:03 PM

Congratulations Rock Chick!
I stumbled on this CBC news article which may be of interest to you.
I'm not sure how long the link will stay up so it's content is pasted below.

Virtual Interpreter Turns Speech into Sign Language
Last Updated: Thursday, September 13, 2007 | 9:21 AM ET

IBM has developed a computer program that can translate the spoken word into sign language and then sign it out using an an animated digital figure, or avatar.

The system, unveiled on Wednesday, could pave the way for commercial technology that allows presenters or educators to give lectures that can be accessible to the deaf when no live sign language interpreter is available.

Developed at IBM labs in Hursley, England, SiSi uses British Sign Language (BSL), which an estimated 55,000 people in the U.K. use as their first language, the company said.

Andy Stanford-Clark, IBM Hursley's master inventor, said the technology has the potential to make life easier for the deaf community by providing automatic signing for television, radio, the internet and voicemail transcription when using mobile devices.

IBM cautions that the Say It Sign It (SiSi) system is still a prototype and is not yet available commercially, though IBM expects to expand the product to use other sign languages. It also hopes to include it as a feature in the deaf-accessibility products of other vendors.

SiSi first converts the spoken word into text using speech recognition software and then converts those words into sign language, which are then displayed by an onscreen avatar. The use of a character, instead of text as used in close captioning, allows deaf users to see the words in a visual manner more familiar to them.

Guido Gybels, the director of new technologies at the Royal National Institute for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (RNID), welcomed the system as a good first step to bringing services and products to a disenfranchised segment of the population.

"There is clearly still a long way to go before such prototypes become fully capable, off-the-shelf products, but it is encouraging to see that mainstream research is contributing to this objective of a more inclusive society," he said in a statement.


(Photo Caption:) An IBM avatar translates the spoken word 'performance' into the corresponding sign from British Sign Language. The new technology allows a person giving a presentation to have a digital figure projected behind them signing what they are saying.    (IBM)

Subject: RE: BS: I have passed
From: GUEST,rock chick
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 09:36 AM

Wow now that is extremly intresting, i have kept it on file as i have a web site where this sort of information would be extremly useful to people out there. A ver big thank you for sending it.

Rc