ARASAAC: Spanish Sign Language->Glossary

Spanish Sign Language

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Glossary related to LSE

(*) Glossary of Terms for the CNSE in: http://www.nosfaltanmanos.org

Deaf
Are those who suffer from hearing loss to a greater or lesser degree, and they find in their daily life communication barriers.

The term deaf is incorrect and has fallen into disuse. Deaf people can communicate well through sign language and spoken language access and speech (each according to their abilities).
Deaf Community
It is the group with given cultural and linguistic values forged around sign language and a highly visual view of the world. The deaf community is composed of deaf and hearing people who share the same cultural and linguistic heritage.
Sign Language
It is the natural language of deaf people. It is not universal; each country has its own language. In Spain we use Spanish Sign language and in the area of Catalonia, also Catalan Sign Language

As linguistic research shows, sign languages have all the characteristics of spoken languages. The term "sign language" is therefore incorrect because it is a language.
Signing
It is the act of communicating in sign language.
Sign Language Interpreter
It is the professional who translates a spoken language to sign language and vice versa. The performers are the bridge between deaf and hearing. They play a key role in the actual participation of deaf people in society.
Lip reading or lip-facial
It's a common myth to believe that all deaf people can communicate well with the listeners through his talent for reading lips. But lip-reading is not easy, because spoken language is designed to be passed by ear, not by sight. There are many variables that prevent a good lip reading such as lighting, position of the speaker and the ability to vocalize, among other factors.
Bilingual Education
Educational approach that aims to achieve proficiency in two languages: the spoken language and sign language. The deaf children acquire sign language spontaneously, simply, to socialize with others who sign. To master the spoken language, requires a long learning process that can be sped up with the help of sign language.
Communication Barriers
They are the obstacles preventing deaf people to access information or hinder communication. For example, the lack of subtitles in the media or the absence of interpreters in the various spheres of public life. Communication barriers are less well-known than architectural barriers because they are invisible, but they are numerous and isolate deaf people.

Misconceptions about the LSE

Sign Language is mime? The mime is a stylistic device that can be easily used by deaf people, but to say that sign language is just mime is the same to say that spoken language is only onomatopoeia.
Are sign languages artificial communication systems or augmentative spoken languages?. No, often it is believed that the main aim of sign languages is supporting the learning of spoken language, forgetting that this language has value in itself.
Sign Language alphabet is reduced to dactylological?. No, some people still think that sign languages are mere representations of the dactylological alphabet, but the dactylological alphabet is just a resource to represent each of the letters of the alphabet by shape or configuration of the hand. This system is only used by the deaf community in very restricted way, as in the case of proper names that are not significant between users / as or when does not have a sign that represents a concept.