LETTER : Read my lips - if you can
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Claire Pasmore's article is to be warmly welcomed for drawing attention to the plight of 8.4 million deaf and hearing impaired people ("Let your fingers do the talking", 25 May). She and I differ, however, on the way in which our plight should be alleviated.
Her belief that everyone should/could learn sign language seems over- optimistic. Only in a dream world would every passer-by be able to give directions in sign language, or every shop assistant or professional adviser convey his or her meaning in this way. Not in our, lifetimes, anyway.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can live a more normal life now, however, by learning to lip-read. In this way they can maintain personal communication with anybody, anywhere, at any time. It puts the primary burden on the afflicted but does not exonerate either the public or the state. The public must be taught that speaking slowly and clearly (without shouting) and letting the deaf person see the speaker's lips is a basic necessity for the lip-reader. The state should provide lip-reading teachers of high calibre and in sufficient numbers.
Incidentally, the photograph that accompanies this article shows finger spelling, used by signers and lip readers alike for the correct spelling of names etc. It is not part of sign language.
Antonia Gerard
London N6
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments