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Act out the language

The Young Reporter (2006, December), 39(03), pp. 10.
Author: Kit Li Jieying. Editor: Carol Chan Wai-ying.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0015643

■ KIT LI JIEYING

An increasing number of Hong Kong people are learning the skill of sign language--some naturally out of necessity, but many also take it as an alternative language, or sheer knowledge.

“Sign language has become popular since a local TV drama series in 2000 which became a hit and which featured a mute as the hero,” said Ms Chan Yan-bing, an experienced full-time teacher of sign language.

In Ms Chan’s classes, the students are taught to use gestures to “play” pop songs and games. Some have been learning the skill for four to six years. Robert Wong, a beginner of sign language studying at Hong Kong Baptist University, described the technique as “an exceptional tool of communication”. He said he would also at times use it as an intimate secret code.

“It is so cool to express things with gestures,” Mr Wong continued, “My girl has friend learned sign language before. As few people could understand it, we two sometimes would use it to “talk” with each other to experience a special feeling of communication.”

To the elderly, learning sign language could also become a hobby and entertainment.

“We come here to have fun,” said Ku Pui-kwan, a six-year learner in a community centre for the aged in Kwun Tong. Ms Ku and her peers have been learning to “do” many songs with sign languages. And the group would occasionally perform at public events.

Ms Ku said, “Once out there in public we were just using sign language among ourselves. And some onlookers thought we were deaf and dumb. They were very surprised after a while when we reverted back to regular talking.”

“It’s never too old to learn,” Mr Wong Yuk-wah. 89. said. Having been learning sign language for six years, Mr Wong said he regarded the skill as a kind of knowledge, adding that he would often carry his graphic sign language notes with him for practice.

The teacher Ms Chan noted a side therapeutic effect of the learning experience. “Practising sign language helps one’s fingers more nimble. In a way it’s a physiolological treatment for the old people.”

At many Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied (PHAB) Centres, sign language courses are offered to the disable. Phoebe Chan, the supervisor of Kowloon PHAB Centre, said she took the skill as an art.

“Our disable members have formed a team which combines unique wheel-chair-dance and sign language together to make a special performance...to help pass on a message that life could be more colorful to the disabled,” Ms Chan said.

And that in turn would mean confidence-building, she added.

Edited by CAROL CHAN WAI-YING

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