Sign language instruction offered to community at Zelie library
ZELIENOPLE — As a nurse, “help,” “pain” and “doctor” are important words to Cranberry Township resident Jill Matter.
Communicating them in a different language is powerful.
“I'd like to be able to communicate and help speak with deaf people in the ER,” Matter said about her decision to learn sign language. “I think they'd appreciate it if they see us trying to speak their language when they are in a medical situation.”
Matter was among nearly 50 people learning sign language — a method of communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing in which hand movements, gestures, and facial expressions convey grammatical structure and meaning — Monday at the Zelienople Area Public Library, 227 S. High St., during its first session of “Introduction to Sign Language.” The program is in collaboration with the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA in Cranberry Township.
Along with Matter was her 9-year-old daughter Julie and niece Cameryn Craig.
“Cameryn's sister, my niece, is apraxic — she'll never speak,” Matter said about her other reason for wanting to learn sign language.
Julie said she wanted to give her extra alphabet chart to her friend because she wants to be able to sign with her.
“I hope they keep doing it,” Matter said.
Amy Kellner, adult and young adult services librarian, organized the class after the people in the library's Spanish conversation hour asked for a sign language learning opportunity.
“We have never done anything with sign language before,” Kellner said.The library is part of PA Forward, a statewide initiative under the Pa. Library Association, which works to strengthen the state's libraries through education, advocacy and leadership.The sign language class is one example of the library's programming preparing community members for real-life situations and basic literacy development, Kellner said.“The goal is to have some groups by the end of this that can come in and practice,” Ashley Vranick, Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA youth and family director, said about social clubs.Depending on community interest, monthly or bimonthly sessions will continue, she said.American Sign Language is a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages, with grammar that differs from English.During the lesson, Elizabeth Tillotson, YMCA youth and family staff member, signed and spoke at the same time.Different people, from children who are nonverbal to people who are deaf and hard of hearing, use sign language, she said.
The five parameters of sign language include hand shape, palm orientation, location, movement and facial expression, she said.Participants learned the basics of sign language and conversation starters, including the alphabet, numbers, introductions, time, manners and emergency words.For over 20 years. Tillotson has practiced sign language. She has also volunteered as an interpreter.“Six percent of the population is considered deaf in the U.S.,” Tillotson said. “ASL is a major language in our country. There's always a need to communicate.”Interactive groups are helpful for beginner learners, she said.“Practicing is key,” she said. “Joining a group helps you develop your skills in a friendly environment.”Zelienople resident Megan Capizzi works with infants to teach them basic sign when they cannot communicate as babies.“I like it a lot,” Capizzi said. “I just wanted to grow my signing skills to teach them more skills to communicate.”People who are interested in attending the next session can contact the library at 724-452-9330.
