The Deaf Mute Howls

20. HOW TO LEARN IT

HOW TO LEARN IT UPON THE assumption that you are, by this time, in accord with my ideas, you may ask what you can do to learn the Universal Language and use it to remedy the ills I have mentioned. The first and most important step is to learn the single-hand manual alphabet, plainly illustrated here. Imitate the way the letters are formed from A to Z, also the &. Spell each letter clearly. Do not move your hand around or crook your fingers clumsily as if they were stiff. Do not lift or lower your hand jerkily while spelling each letter or word. When you do, you make your "listener" move his head rapidly to follow you. Watch out-he may dislocate his neck. If you spell awkwardly or carelessly; it will be as difficult to read your words as deciphering the hieroglyphics on the obelisk. Do not make any gesture between the words, just pause an instant or two in passing from one word to another, the same as you space them in talking orally. Always keep your hand immovable, and let only your fingers do the work. You have only twenty-six letters to learn, not thousands ofnew words of a foreign language and its grammar, a task that requires years oftoil. After you have mastered your manual alphabet, repeat it many times; you will be surprised with your own ease and fluency. When you have the manual alphabet on your fingertips, so to speak, you will have accomplished more than half-fully seventyfive percent. The next step is to make your friends learn it in exacdy the same way; then talk with them only on the fingers. It is more THE DEAF MUTE HOWLS difficult to read others' fingers than to use your own. It is a matter ofa few days practice to do it well. When alone, it is excellent practice to watch your fingers in a mirror; almost as good as studying your friends'. The sign language is altogether different from the manual alphabet , for it uses gestures or pictures in the air. It can be learned from those who make simple, clear signs. Be careful in selecting your teacher, because ifyou begin making wrong or poor signs it will be difficult to change them afterwards. Begin right. There are among the deaf, especially the ladies, many who can teach conversational signs. The best teachers are children ofdeafparents. Their ability to talk orally helps them in explaining the reason and meaning ofevery gesture. There are many who will gladly teach you for the love ofit. It is my hope that the Cinema Industry will start a school where a standardized Code will be taught, and accepted the world over. The children at public schools learn easily. It would be effective for them to use the sign language as a part of their daily exercise, the same as gymnastics. A page of the manual alphabet should be put in the school textbooks. A law to this effect is all that would be required to bring into existence the Universal Language. The sign language can be developed to a degree ofartistry considerably above the conversational style. In such form it may be used for silent singing, dramatic expression and similar purposes. To attain perfection in the Art one must be willing to study and practice. Like danCing, everyone who walks can learn it; but it is not everyone who can dance like Pavlowa. It is the duty ofthe motion picture actor to strive for perfection in this Art. Such effort is necessary, not only for clear understanding , but also to help elevate the tone of sign-making among the masses. In the wake will follow better, finer pictures, and greater attendance at the theaters. It takes but a slight effort to visualize the ultimate results ofthe usage ofthe Universal Language, the new understanding among all 88 Harry Burns (right), editor ofHollywood Filmographer, making the sign for "wild bull with crooked horns" after learning the sign for"cow." THE DEAF MUTE HOWLS races and nations. The better we know our neighbors, the more we shall love them. It will help to bring peace on the earth, and good will to man. The only ones who will protest against this "innovation" are the pure oralists, the beneficiaries of the institutions for the deaf, and other parasites who prey on the misfortunes ofthe deaf. They comprise but...