What is deaf communication? How do deaf people wake up for work on time? These are some questions that hearing people frequently ask about deaf people. Hopefully, this article can provide some answers.

Deaf communication is done several ways: In person through sign language, through technology, and orally through speech or lipreading. You might know a deaf person who can lipread; many cannot. Most deaf people have some ability to hear and may be able to speak too. However, American Sign Language is the native language for those who were born deaf or those who became deaf before they learned to speak English.

Deaf Communication Through Technology

Thanks to technology, deaf people enjoy the same quality of life--maybe a better quality of life--as hearing people. Closed caption devices enable them to watch movies and tv with the words translated into captions at the bottom of the screen. Text messages over cell phones and pagers, and email and internet chat have also made communication easier. Vibrating and light-flashing alarm clocks and vibrating pagers or cell phones are some other examples of how technology makes life easier for the deaf.

Most deaf communication takes place through sign language. Sign languages are natural, whole language unto themselves, and not direct translations of spoken language. In fact, each country has its own form of sign language different than the rest. If you are interested in learning American Sign Language, many colleges and universities offer it as a foreign language course.