Blog #3, Sign Language Club Meeting by Amanda Griglack

Walking into the sign language club’s initial meeting, the executive committee introduced themselves to everyone in the room in sign language. This club is interesting in the fact that it is not just about community work, but actually learning the language of sign. Anyone can join this club, from students whose major requires the knowledge of sign language (speech pathology & audiology), to anyone who is genuinely interested in the language. Two deaf people and an interpreter attended the meeting which was very interesting because it was the first time the club has had deaf people participate in the club. It was nice to be a part of that change for the group.

The president of the sign language club told us her background of sign, and how she has been affected by this language. She is fluent in sign language, and the executive board is very confident in their skills of sign as well. The first meeting eased us into the language, teaching the alphabet, and a series of expressions. Then, each person was invited to sign their name and have the others guess their name, which was a fun activity to get us comfortable with the beginnings of sign language. Occasionally, the interpreter would step in and show more casual ways of signing the expressions the executive board taught us, which made the meeting more engaging and interesting.

Next, the committee set out delicious cookies and went over dates that are important to the functioning of the club. Once every month, the club goes to the Hamilton Mall to have a coffee chat with deaf people in the community. Coffee chat just means that we talk with these people and learn more about sign language. Another event that the club goes to every year is touring Gallaudet University, which is a private university dedicated to teaching deaf students and teaching about deaf studies. Located in Washington D.C., this university is unique because it is the only all deaf university in the nation. The sign language club’s initial meeting has made me excited for my future as a Speech Pathologist and learning about the language in depth.