Yes it's a petition

[rabidsamfan]

The Italian parliament wants to classify the sign language used by the deaf with the kinds of gesture used by mimes. That has a lot of implications for the deaf community in Italy, and if you'd like to show some support to that community and make a different sort of gesture to the Italian parliament, go here: http://www.change.org/petitions/no-lmg-forza-lis/

gacked from spacefall

Comments

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

That's horrible! I do hope international support helps.

[spacefall.livejournal.com]

It is not that they are saying SL = mime act, but they are choosing not to recognise LIS as just 'Italian Sign Language' but phrasing it more as 'mimed language' which is a pretty fake and weak sort of recognition, not to mention using the kind of language that people used for years to claim that signed languages are not real languages. It's like giving with one hand then slapping in the face with the other.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Ah. The wording of the petition wasn't clear. Thank you.

Still, I don't understand how anyone who knows anything at all about language can make so basic a mistake as to equate mime and sign language. Sure some of the elements -- the "words" if you will -- are similar to a layman, but the grammar is entirely different, and signed languages don't have the limitations of mime.

Darn it all, if you're going to extend recognition to a community and their language, do it on (and in) their own terms!

[wirral-bagpuss.livejournal.com]

Ok but the deaf community is not all made up people using sign language. Alot of deaf people do use lip reading, use their hearing aids and dont use sign language. I think there should be a balance between those who use sign language and those who use oral communication methods. I dont use sign language for example (wel i do have some fun and know some rude ones and can just about spell my name!) But i have always relied on oral communication methods. And i dont think i will be altering that anytime soon.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

*nod* Yes, very true. But it isn't the deaf community I meant -- rather the community of people who use Italian sign language, whether hearing or deaf. In other words it's the language community that needs recognition.