Charismatic

You know, the elected Green MP who wants funding to get a sign language interpreter so she can actually do her job.

I might be mistaken in thinking this but, given MPs spend tax money on everything from pornography to expensive plonk, doesn't this seem like a more valid claim somehow? I like naked ladies as much as the next man, maybe more than some, but overall allowing an MP to speak does seem quite important (although there are a few to who I think gaffer tape should be an expense item ).

That is all the words for now.

BEVS

Given that sign language is an official language here I feel it should be funded. It;s not exactly a jolly ole luxury is it.

'Course we could go the other way & lead the world with this. Let's insist that when there are global summits and the like nothing gets translated for the mutual good. Might help .

Charismatic

Provide pocket dictionaries and an abacus for trade negotiations?

scrubbedexpat094

Beg your pardon, I can't hear you sonny.









Sorry but someone had to do it. I can get away with it though as my Dad has hardly any hearing & I'm partially deaf.

Justcol

From what I heard on the radio today they are making her pay for it herself.
If she was in a wheelchair would she have to join the debates via skype or would they build a ramp??

Mind you we know if she were a Sikh man she'd have to remove her turban before they'd let her in (shame on you cosi clubs )

Genesis

Absolute bunch of cretins. I cannot believe the small mindedness of this poxy little country sometimes. It should be funded out of TAXPAYERS money, not hers. She was elected and if she has a disability that will stop her from doing her elected duties, sort it and we pay for it, not out of her pocket or her party's pocket. Tight fisted crap attitude. Shame on who ever suggested this..it was the speaker of the house wasn't it..Lockwood?

Bellasmum

Just add it to your ever growing negative list Genesis. That's if there is enough paper.

On a more serious note I do agree with Bev. Signing is an official language in NZ. However she is a lip reader and has little signing ability so someone would have to donate the extra hours for her to get more onsite support.

I heard through the govt grapevine today that Winston Peters is willing to give up some of his staff hours.

Nabbie

I would like to point there are many misconceptions over Deaf definition.

Born-deaf or profoundly deaf persons are usually using native sign language and they belong to the very minority in the society. They are often not treated well due to the employment disadvantage. For instance, Can Deaf person do the role of MP?

Sign language is a natural fluent just like everybody are speaking every day. The big difference to use that is to visualize through eyes instead of ears. If anyone is willing to take 30 to 60 hours to grasp the concept of basic sign language depending on their learning paces. This will be a BIG help to many Deaf individuals. I am born-deaf myself and my overall employment career is a complete disappointment. Strangely, I become an expat over a couple of years.

May I ask how many of you have ever tried to use sign language in your education? I believe the integration is the most important part of the society.

Finally do you know what does thumbs up mean?

scrubbedexpat094

Apparently she's not deaf she's DEAD

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10785567

Charismatic

Right up there with learning Esperanto for me I'm afraid.

What do you do for a living now then? There are lots of office jobs where hearing isn't really essential, in fact some and advantage where not being distracted by the rubbish on the office radio or co-workers needless chit-chat.

Nabbie

Yeah, another recent article mentions about special school for dead children. Is that genuine misspelling or on purpose to cheer everyone? I don't mind that except I am little curious how many errors do the editors make in the headlines?

Nabbie

Yeah, it is easy for you to mention that but in realistic it is still not good for deaf workers. The gossips, the work culture, and the hearing environment are the essential keys of the daily routines. Obviously that suits for majority of who can hear. But not for me, no thanks. I am on early retirement recently.

I do not know about Esperanto ...is that to do with international tongues? It is interesting because I enjoy International Sign language to talk with deaf Thais even I do not possess any Thai knowledge. It is based on the gestures and the signing concept. Which country do you live in?

BEVS

Sign language is also sometimes used for children with autism.

Bit confused now which isn't hard. What would the sign language interpreter be for . I thought it was to make her signing understood verbally to other MPs.

Nabbie

Almost correct but also vice versa. The interpreter is simply relying the conversation between her and the rest.

Charismatic

It was an artificial language supposed to be used as a second generic language. It failed though, last time I looked those who could speak Klingon outnumbered Esperanto.

Maybe we should lean morse code so one language covers the deaf and blind...or signal at sea. Also it would work well for mobile devices (24 charters is too many for a phone keyboard), a binary keyboard for binary times.

Something that has always confused me about sign language is how can you write a language expressed in physical movement? Like when someone invents a new device or word and you read about it in a magazine how do you express it as a set of movements if you are talking about it to a friend?