Page 133 - Reading Between the Sign Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters

118 Reading Between the Signs

those seated next to them, and so on around the circle until ev-
eryone is looking up and the presentation can begin.
Each of these techniques is more appropriate in certain situa-
tions than others. For example, flashing the lights is an effective
way to get the attention of a large room or auditorium full of people
and is often used to signal the start of a meeting. The use of some
techniques vary according to the distance away from the intended
target. A large, waving arm movement would be appropriate for
getting the attention of someone on the other side of the room. It
would be inappropriate, however, to use such a sizable gesture to
get the attention of someone standing just a few feet away—com-
parable to yelling “HELLLOOOOOOO!!!!!!!” in the ear of a person
standing right beside you.
It has been observed that in the Deaf world people touch one
another more than in the hearing world. This may be partly due
to the fact that a light touch on the arm is often used to get
someone’s attention or make one’s presence known. If one is
approaching a Deaf person from behind, it is polite to avoid star-
tling him or her by subtly signaling one’s presence, either by a
light touch on the arm or by a small movement that will be no-
ticed in the person’s peripheral field of vision. A rough touch is
again like shouting a greeting in someone’s ear.
Just as techniques for getting the group’s attention at the be-
ginning of a meeting differ between the Deaf and hearing worlds,
so does the way to show appreciation at the end of a performance.
In the mid-1980s a new cultural behavior, “Deaf applause,” ap-
peared on the scene, to the dismay of some old-timers. Deaf ap-
plause, instead of using the noise of clapped hands, relies on the
movement made by arms vertically stretched, hands fluttering
quickly back and forth to achieve a visual equivalent of an over-
whelming ovation. This distinctive cultural movement, which re-
sembles a forest of excited trees to the performers being saluted,
reportedly originated in the French Deaf community and has since
spread across the Deaf world through its use at international con-
ferences and events. Previously, simply clapping over one’s head
was employed and is still preferred in some circles. Another form
of Deaf ovation used in the past, primarily at banquets, was a
mass waving of napkins, an attractive sight, but one that had the
unwanted side effect of scattering bits of food upon the revelers.

05 MINDESS PMKR 118 10/18/04, 12:00 PM