72 choosing and learning a language
Sign language and spoken language
The 2 kinds of language a child who is deaf or cannot hear well can
learn are:
• sign language, when she uses her hands to communicate with the
signs used by the deaf community in the region or country where she
lives.
• spoken language, when she uses her voice and lip reading to
communicate in the spoken language in that region or country.
Some children who can hear a little will be able to speak and read lips.
Other children communicate best by making signs with their hands. You
may want to begin with one language and teach your child other ways
to communicate as he gets older.
For example:
Many people start with gestures and signs
with a young child, especially if they are
not sure if the child can hear speech sounds.
Then, as the child gets older and understands
some signs, they may try teaching her to read
lips and to talk.
Other people start with speaking and lip
reading if they know their child can hear
Vaw.
some sounds, or if he became deaf after he
learned to talk. When a child is not learning
a spoken language after a period of time,
it may mean that a sign language is better
suited for this child.
It’s time
to sleep.
Ball!
That’s
right!
The language your child uses may depend on:
• how much or how little he can hear.
• which language he prefers.
• how you react to his deafness.
• when he began to have difficulty hearing.
• the resources available in your family
or community.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)