There are many ways to communicate with deaf people. The most common ways are lip-reading and using sign language. However, you can also communicate using pen and paper, an interpreter, or a CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) device. Either way, there's some general etiquette to help you out. Most importantly, you must be courteous and attentive.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Communicating Using Lips
Step 1. Stay within his field of view
When communicating with deaf people, try to keep your eyes level with theirs. You can sit if he is sitting, or stand if he is standing. Your position should be slightly further than the normal speaking distance (1-2 meters). This will help make sure it sees all your gestures.
- If you're indoors, make sure the lighting is bright enough for him to see you clearly.
- If you are outdoors, face the sun so that there are no shadows on your face and the sun's rays don't dazzle his face.
- Avoid placing anything in or around your mouth (chewing gum, your own hands) while speaking.
Step 2. Speak in a reasonable voice and tone
Try to speak as naturally as possible. Whispering and shouting can distort lip movements, making it harder for deaf people to follow your words. Likewise, if you exaggerate your lips, you will be more difficult to understand than if you speak naturally.
- Turning up the volume is only useful if the other person asks you to do it.
- Speak a little softly if the other person asks you to do it.
Step 3. Make eye contact
Eyes and facial expressions help communicate the tone and demeanor of your conversation. So, making eye contact is important. As much as possible do not look away while you are talking.
- Try and make sure he makes eye contact too. For example, if you're teaching him how to use an object and he's looking at it, wait until he's done looking at it before you continue the conversation.
- If you wear sunglasses, take them off.
- If you can add facial expressions to emphasize a specific point (smiles, rolls eyes, raises eyebrows), do so where appropriate.
Step 4. Use gestures and visual cues
Including certain physical movements will help support your communication. You may point (pointing is not generally considered rude in the deaf community), hold the object you are talking about, or imitate actions (such as drinking, jumping, or eating) to help illustrate your words. You can use your finger to show numbers, write in the air to show you're writing a letter, and so on.
Method 2 of 3: Using Sign Language
Step 1. Determine the sign language you use
There are people who are deaf (though not all) who communicate using sign language. Almost all countries have their own sign language. They are quite different from spoken languages and usually do not follow the same geographic distribution (for example, British Sign Language is very different from American Sign Language).
Sign language is a natural language, with its own grammar and syntax; for example, the English phrase “I give you” is a single word (or “sign”) in American Sign Language (ASL)
Step 2. Learn letters and numbers
If you're new to sign language, you can start by learning the letters of the alphabet and numbers. Knowing this will make it easier for you to start communicating at a basic level, and help you get used to sign language.
- Visit https://www.start-american-sign-language.com/american-sign-language-alphabet_html to practice the alphabet in ASL.
- Visit https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/n/numbers.htm to practice numbers.
Step 3. Practice using common phrases
Learning some important phrases can help you communicate using sign language. Phrases such as "please", "thank you", and "hello", can be used in a variety of contexts to communicate friendliness and respect. In ASL, the cues for this phrase are as follows:
- To signal please: place your palms open in the center of your chest and rotate them clockwise three times.
- To signal thanks: touch your fingers to your lips (with your palms open). Then move your hands forward and down toward the other person.
- To signal hello: touch your hand to your forehead with your palm facing down. Then move it away from the forehead (similar to a salute).
Step 4. Improve your understanding of sign language
If you want to master sign language, you need to learn grammar, understand the structure of the language, and expand your vocabulary. You also need to keep practicing. Sign language, just like any other language, takes a lot of dedication to master it.
- Take courses at your local college, university, or deaf organization.
- Join a sign language community.
- Practice with a deaf friend.
Step 5. Confirm that the other person is using sign language
Keep in mind that not all deaf people use sign language. You should confirm that the other person is using sign language before you start talking. Start by getting his attention. Then signal the word "hello". If the other person replies in sign language, continue what you wanted to say.
Remember that sign language is different. It's possible that the person you want to talk to uses a different form of sign language than the one you know
Step 6. Turn your hands and body toward the other person
When you communicate using sign language, it is important to keep your hands visible. Make sure your hands and body are still facing the other person.
- Gesture with your arms stretched out in front of you, about chest level.
- If you have to turn away for some reason, explain why you did so and pause the conversation.
Method 3 of 3: Following General Etiquette
Step 1. Get the other person's attention before attempting to speak or communicate
Making eye contact is a great way to do this. If necessary, you can use a light wave from a polite distance (not too close) or a light touch to get the person's attention. While you should be attentive and shouldn't poke people, generally in the deaf community, a light touch on a person you don't know to get their attention isn't considered rude. The shoulder is a great place to touch people you don't know very well; use a few light pats.
Step 2. List the points you want to talk about
Once he knows the general topic, it will be easier for him to follow your conversation. Try not to change the topic suddenly without pausing to signal a topic change. Stop often and ask if he understands what you're talking about.
Step 3. Describe the disturbance
If there are distractions that the deaf person might not notice, such as a ringing phone or a knock on the door, explain why you're stepping away. Otherwise, the deaf person may think you've stopped talking to them, which can be considered rude.
Step 4. Speak to the person, not the interpreter
If you're the sign language interpreter helping you communicate, it's important that you direct the conversation to the person who is deaf and not to the interpreter (or fellow listeners). The interpreter will understand how to help deaf people understand your conversation, so don't worry about them.
Step 5. Offer a summary
When the conversation ends, you may offer a brief summary of what was said. This summary may be useful to some deaf people, although it is not important to others. So, always ask first.
You might say, "If I summed up what we just talked about, would that help you?"
Tips
- If lip reading isn't working, you can try communicating with pen and paper.
- If you exchange notes with a deaf person, he or she may not add articles to sentences and may omit other words or structure words with grammatical structures that you don't think are correct.
- A phone that supports text messaging or SMS is an excellent tool if you don't have a pen and paper.
- CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) devices are another way to communicate with deaf people. This tool may be available in a classroom, or other institutional activity.
- Sign languages like ASL are languages with their own rules, grammatical structures, and verbs. It's not just English sign language; English cannot be translated word for word into sign language. Many deaf people will understand what you're talking about if you use English sign language with them, but doing so can be tedious.
- Some people who are deaf have hearing aids so you don't have to do a lot of hand signals to them. Instead, speak in a reasonable tone of voice, and at a moderate pace.
- Do not be surprised by the words that seem harsh. Deaf cultures value directness. Many non-deaf people are surprised by the outspoken attitude of the deaf. Be aware that in the deaf community, this is not considered rude, but effective.
- Remember that deaf people are human too. Don't underestimate anyone because of their disability.
