P713 CEEFAX 713 Thu 14 Oct 21:15/11 READHEAR WRITE HEAR DHERE 1/6 FR M FRBNK DOWLJR OF CHESHIRE $5 "John Wheeler, like others, writes to complain about the alleged shortcomings of BSL. "These remind mj of the British tourist abroad who complains, 'Why can't they speak English like us?' "Incidentally, born-deaf people and children are not usually 'language- handicapped' but speech-handicapped "5 "I am sick of language teachers who speak of language skills when they really mean speech skills." cont... Religious World 740 User Guide 198 Subtitles CmntyInfo Envir'nmt ReligionP713 CEEFAX 713 Thu 14 Oct 21:15/11 READHEAR WRITE HEAR DHERE 2/6 FR M FRANK DOWLJR OF CHESHIRE "There is a historical reason why BSL is generally different from the English language. I quote from my letter to Write Hear in July. "'Pure oralism practiced in deaf schools over the past hundred years and more had the counter-productive effect of disabling many pupils from learning English, especially written English. "'Thus the Sign Language used bz such pupils could not have any connection with English language.'" cont... Next Write Hear update: 16 October Subtitles CmntyInfo Envir'nmt ReligionP713 CEEFAX 713 Thu 14 Oct 21:22/17 JADHEAR 0WRJTE HEAR DHERE 3/6 FROM FRANK HOWLER OF CHESHIRE "John (Wheeler) does seem highly selective in viewing Write Hear, or has a very short memory. "I did mention in the same previous letter the possibility of BSL becoming more like English with the advent of bilingualism in schools, but obviously this would take two or three generations at least. "I think it would be a good idea if a book could bj compiled from all the letters to Write Hear, Comment and NNTS over the past two years or so. It may refresh some memories." Subtitles CmntyInfo Envir'nmt ReligionP713 CEEFAX 713 Thu 14 Oct 21:09/33 READHEAR WRITE HEAR DHERE 4/6 FROM A READER IN SALFORD "Having watched See Hear this week, I am fed up with all this 'the deaf need interpreters' argument. "Deaf people should bj able to manage without them — after all, deaf people can write. "Police, nurses, banks etc. should all learn to sign. "That would bj great and very much cheaper — Sign Language courses should bj fully available and FREE. Community Pages 720 Environment 730 Religious World 740 User Guide 198 Subtitles CmntyInfo Envir'nmt ReligionP713 CEEFAX 713 Thu 14 Oct 21:16/03 READHEAR WRJTJ HEAR I DHERE 5/6 FR M J MMYCRAWOFEASTBOURNE "To make it clear to Terry Ruanj, I HAVE used BSL, so I already know its implications and drawbacks. "I am interested in the misleading projection of BSL in mainstream society TODAY, not in the history of BSL, and I want it banned from THAT type of projection. "I do advocate Sign Language, but only through SSE as a means of mainstream communication. "Now, let's see if mainstream TV will debate this whole issue!" Subtitles CmntyInfo Envir'nmt ReligionP713 CEEFAX 713 Thu 14 Oct 21:13/18 JADHEAR EDITOR'S COMMENT DHERE 6/6 Write Hear has for many weeks been dominated bz letters on the subject of BSL. The debate has continued bjcausj it has been the one addressed by most contributors to these pages. It is obviously an important issue but Write Hear is keen to include letters on other subjects (and from other contributors) but can only do so if Y U write in. Possible topics include "integrated education", "deaf" theatre, access to services, employment, aids, TV, access to information, health etc. Subtitles CmntyInfo Envir'nmt Religion