Speaking the Language of Sign: The Art and Science of Signing (review)

Comments, Questions, and answers Alan B. Crammatte Editor The Comments, Questions, and Answers department is published as a service to professional readers and parents of deaf children. It is an attempt to provide practical information on the basic aspects of deafness, particularly in relation to education. Although all questions submitted cannot be used, those considered to be of greatest interest to readers will be published. Answers are prepared by competent authorities. Material submitted must contain the writer's name and address. Address questions and comments to: Alan B. Crammatte, 897 Windsong Dr., Arnold, MD 21012. COMMENT—Beginning in the fall 1986 semester, Lehman College of the City University of New York will offer a program enabling deaf and hearing-impaired students to complete their education in a mainstream environment. Program Director Deborah Copeland, who is deaf herself, described the services that the program offers as "comprehensive" and said students in the program will be able to pursue a degree in any academic major taught at Lehman "just like any other student." The Program for Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Students will coordinate a network of support services including oral and sign language interpreters, counseling, tutoring, and note taking . Eight deaf or hard of hearing students are already on campus ; five more are expected this fall. TOTHEEDITORI was very pleased with the "New Look" Annals which I received this week. I am glad that you are embarking on a new format and content that will be more appealing to classroom teachers and other professionals who work closely with deaf children. The publication of Perspectives for Teachers of the Hearing Impaired is the Pre-College Programs' attempt to respond to the oft-stated need by teachers for relevant material and information. We welcome the Annals entry into the "How To" arena. Together, Perspectives and the Annals can make valuable contributions. Again, congratulations for an attractive new format. Be assured of much support from our profession. Robert R. Davila Vice President Pre-College Programs Gallaudet College TO DEAF PROFESSIONALSI was born in Tianjin, China 1929. Studied in mechanical engineering at the Hebei Institute of Technology (HIT) from 1947. Suddenly suffer from internal ear illness at 1950, unfortunately became a deaf person from then on. The HIT was merged with the National Pei Yang University and changed the name to Tianjin University in 1951. I transferred to the Tianjin University Library (TUL) 30 years ago, and am the Director of Reference Department now. I am the committee member of the Tianjin Association for Blind and Deaf Persons . I am eager for contact with colleagues in the United States and the United Kingdom, because I am a deaf person. Are there any deaf librarians or deaf professors at colleges and universities in the United States? Please tell me their names and addresses. Has the Department of Library Science at Gallaudet College? I wish to know how matters stand with deaf persons, particularly with librarians and professors, and very glad contact with them. May you help me to achieve the goal? Fan Zheng Director, Reference Department Tianjin University Library Tianjin, China Reviews Speaking the Language of Sign: The Art and Science of Signing, Jerome D. Schein, 190 pp., $9.95, Doubleday and Co., Inc., 245 Park Ave., New York 10167, 1984. Dr. Jerome D. Schein, prolific writer and researcher, has subtitled his newest literary effort The Art and Science of Signing , which is what this useful book is all about. The title of the book, simple and to the point, is a lesson in itself. Speaking the Language of Sign immediately enlightens the reader to the concept of Sign being "spoken" as is said of languages in general. Dr. Schein takes the reader adroitly through the maze that confronts those experiencing Sign for the first time; he not only clears up many of the areas in Sign that are puzzling for the newcomer, but also supports his thesis with references to research efforts with American Sign Language. For the beginning student of Sign, this book will clear up confusion and give support to the teacher's efforts. It goes without saying that every teacher of Sign should read and absorb this book. A special value of the...