Saw a Poll on TV last night

[Reba 2]

I believe Sign Language is a universal language.. like morse code etc. not really English at all

nope, sign language is not universal. It is different pretty much in every country. Canadian and American sign language is similar, but different from English sign, and French sign, and and and...

[Emancipation 2]

I believe Sign Language is a universal language.. like morse code etc. not really English at all

nope, sign language is not universal. It is different pretty much in every country. Canadian and American sign language is similar, but different from English sign, and French sign, and and and...

Thanks for the correction Reba good to know!

[Galateia 1]

I believe Sign Language is a universal language.. like morse code etc. not really English at all

nope, sign language is not universal. It is different pretty much in every country. Canadian and American sign language is similar, but different from English sign, and French sign, and and and...

Actually, ASL is the standard sign language in Canada, but like every language, it has some nasty regional dialects. (American Sign Language). There is a Universal Sign Language, but it's not widely taught; the only places my Deaf friend has seen it used was in international conferences/events/etc.

ASL is based on French grammar, so it's necessary for Deaf people to be bilingual in ASL and English, for example, if they want to write in English, understand signage and documents, etc.

As for the issue at hand, I don't believe I could move to say .. Italy and become a citizen there without learning Italian. In order to function as a member of their society, I need to understand the language of that country, and it would be the height of conceit to imagine I could move there and set up my own mini-culture that functions on my old rules and language, eschewing that of the rest of the country.

I've read of frightening circumventions of the law where some level of adaptation was not in place.

[Emancipation 2]

great thoughts on both sides guys.. jury's still out on this one for me.. but i can see both sides for sure..

Hubby and I always find stuff we differ on..

the amazing bit is that we listen and let it all go

[Glady 0]

I could so play devil's advocate all day long..

In Canada for instance what about First Nations Peoples? They have a culture and an identity they are trying to preserve and they are fighting for it's survival.. and they were here before the English and the French tee hee.. Should they HAVE to learn either language?

Sorry.. couldn't resist!! (totally not meaning to be an a#@ just really honestly trying to process it all).

To me I think this is nonsense and borders on prejudice and racial discrimination.If one knows enough english to pass through the system to become a citizen then they must be able to vote. I think folks in the US are really scared of the spanish population voting in numbers and they are trying anything to disinfranchise them. All citizens must be allowed and encouraged to vote. Folks must remember this landwe call north America had its owners before we came and the is a reason why unlike Canada the US has no official language.