Merrill Rosamond’s perception of communication underwent a sea change in 1974. That’s the year her eldest daughter was born in Florida. Any hearing impairment wasn’t immediately apparent, but as time passed, telltale signs surfaced. Medical evaluations confirmed it. The sweet baby had been born deaf.
Rosamond admits she struggled to accept this unforeseen reality. Once she did, however, the corners gradually began to peel back on a new world — one in which three-dimensional communication would replace spoken words and a mother and daughter would discover each other in unique ways, day by day.
Many of the resources that made it possible were found at the Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville. By 1975, Rosamond had relocated there. The Columbus native and her child would “go to school” together, both learning Deaf culture and how to communicate. Rosamond still remembers being that worried young mom facing an emotionally and spiritually challenging situation, but she also knew there was no question she would learn.
“I had to,” she said. “I did it or I didn’t talk to my child.”
With time, the pair learned visual-spatial American Sign Language — or ASL. It helped a new mom gain true appreciation for the rich language shared by those who are deaf or hearing impaired, a language that would become second nature.
Passing it on
Rosamond will share the basics of American Sign Language with the community through a Mississippi University for Women Life Enrichment Program class titled Sign Language 101. It begins Jan. 28 and meets weekly for six weeks. LEP courses strive to offer intellectually stimulating non-credit classes for adults who share a love of learning. All classes are taught by volunteers willing to share their knowledge.
This will be Rosamond’s third time to conduct the course. The Level II interpreter tailors the personal, interactive sessions for beginners as well as those who already have some knowledge.
“First of all, I start with the alphabet and numbers,” said the Columbus resident. “Once they get that, we branch out to words and then start to string them into sentences.” Participants will also learn a song they can sing in sign language.
Motivations for taking the course vary. Some who sign up simply relish learning something new. A few know someone who is deaf or hearing impaired; others want to be prepared for when they do, either in their work environment or daily life.
April Harris of Columbus Air Force Base took the course this past fall with her son, Kaden Neal. She homeschools 14-year-old Kaden and felt it would be enlightening for both of them. Harris had previously worked at a hospital and realized how valuable having someone conversant in sign language can be when, in her case, a hearing impaired patient needed care.
“In the LEP class, I learned there are a whole lot more hearing impaired people than you realize, and that there are a lot of people who are learning the language as well,” said Harris. “Columbus has a lot of things to offer, and this is something my son and I could experience together.”
Diane Johnson wanted to refresh and expand on sign language basics her own daughter had taught her in the past.
“I have a daughter who is a speech therapist in Casper, Wyoming. … She fell in love with (sign language) when she was in college,” said Johnson. “I enjoy it — there are so many words, it’s amazing.”
New way of thinking
Reasons for learning ASL may vary, but practically anyone can benefit from knowing more.
Niall Cook describes himself as a language nerd. He works for Mississippi State University as a certified interpreter.
“If you learn a new language you learn a new way of thinking; you’re able to communicate with a broader range of people,” the Coffeeville native said.
Sign language is not universal, he pointed out. ASL and British, French or Russian Sign Language, for example, are not mutually comprehensible. Each embraces cultural norms and behaviors. As the world shrinks, however, ASL is becoming more prevalent in other countries cites the website allhandsinmotion.com.
Sign language has become increasingly popular for the hearing impaired, especially with infants, said MUW Speech and Hearing Center audiologist Carrie Smith.
“Infants can learn to do sign language before they can do spoken language,” she explained. “Their receptive language develops a lot sooner than their actual expressive language.”
So it was with Rosamond’s daughter, who was attending activities at the Tennessee School for the Deaf by the time she was about eight months old. Today, she lives in Alabama. She is the mother of four and grandmother of two. Some are deaf; some are hearing. She also has a job.
The journey has been long since those first anxious months in the mid-1970s, since the day Rosamond sat by a babbling brook with tears on her face because her child would never hear it. But her daughter did learn to hear — in a language Rosamond has become so accustomed to that she automatically talks to herself with it in the grocery store, in Bible study, any time she wants to reinforce a point. She’s discovered she remembers better if she signs it.
Because of her personal story, she is highly motivated while conducting the classes.
“Merrill is extremely passionate about teaching ASL and it shows through when she interacts with the participants,” said LEP Coordinator Janie Shields.
“It’s just a part of my life — it is my life,” said Rosamond. “I believe people need to learn it. It’s a beautiful language.”
LEP courses
Sign Language 101 is one of many LEP courses offered this spring term at MUW. A $35 registration fee allows enrollment in up to five non-credit courses taught by community volunteer instructors. To learn more, visit muw.edu/outreach/adult-enrichment-programs/lep. Or contact the Office of Outreach and Innovation at 662-241-6101, or email [email protected].
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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