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Ask a deaf guy anything

Are you hundred percent sure that you know the existence of sound is real, or somewhat unsure? It might sound like a stupid question but I figured if i was deaf I sure as hell wouldn't know if my concept of sound is the same as someone who could hear
 
how do you say words that are not in the dictionary in sign language, like names and places. do you have different signs for different sounds/syllables?

what are the major differences between sign language and written english?

are some signs more easily confused with other signs than others? does this ever get awkward?
 
ever think about getting cochlear implants?
 
You said that you were previously on a job hunt, do you mention on your CV that you're deaf?
 
Does it make you sad ever? Or does it not bother you?

Sometime. One thing I hate the most is when I'm standing with a group of people and they just completely ignore me and doesn't make any effort to communicate as they are babbling away. It is much worse with family.
That's biggest reason I usually spend time by myself. Luckily for me, I'm a introvert, so being lone is much more comfortable for me.
But it do get frustrating from time to time, but I think it is pretty normal for everybody.


i can't imagine what it's like.

do you find things that inhibit or overwhelm your other, more acute senses to be more unbearable? like are farts insufferable?

serious question.

Not that I can think of. If anything, my sense of smell probably is worse than most people. It is just my eyes and ability to pick up vibrate that is more acute than others.


Are you hundred percent sure that you know the existence of sound is real, or somewhat unsure? It might sound like a stupid question but I figured if i was deaf I sure as hell wouldn't know if my concept of sound is the same as someone who could hear

Well I think I do have a rough idea of what sound is like. But I don't know if it is what it sound like to others though.


how do you say words that are not in the dictionary in sign language, like names and places. do you have different signs for different sounds/syllables?

what are the major differences between sign language and written english?

are some signs more easily confused with other signs than others? does this ever get awkward?

Yeah people have their own name sign. But since I'm not around deaf people much, they just spell my name since it is a simple name.
As for name of place and stuff, deaf people who live in the area would have a sign for their city and famous people from that city and stuff like that.

Major difference between sign language and written English is, in signing, there's a lot of words missing such as "the", "and", etc... and tense don't exist and the way words are put in order is very different. Here's a example:

In English you would write this:
Today, this morning, I woke up and go out to water the flower and work on the garden for two hours.

If you were to write it in way you'd sign it, it would be like this
"This/today morning me/I wake go water flower work garden two hours.

As for sign getting confused with others, oh yes! Especially some sign can mean few different things or there's just a subtle different that it is easy to miss. It rarely get awkward between two fluent signers. But for those who are just starting, it do get very confusing from time to time.


ever think about getting cochlear implants?

Used to when I was younger. But as the time go by, I start to want it less and less. When I was in late teens, I no longer want it. I just can't imagine how hard it would be to try and adjust to be able to hear and all consequence that could come with it such as not being able to sleep soundly, possibly frequently head aches, confusion because I'd not be able to tune out sound, and many other things.
Also it really depends on individual, for some it would work well but for some it just won't do a thing.
Plus when I was last looking into it, I remember they have issue that prevent those with it from skydiving, scuba to certain depth, and other things. Since I'm a adrenaline junkie and big time adventurer, I don't want any limitation.


You said that you were previously on a job hunt, do you mention on your CV that you're deaf?
Yes and no. Sometime I would put it in just in hope that by not surprising them, they would see my honesty and make a effort to meet me half way.
However I haven't in a long time just because I feel like it ruin my chance. However the problem is, they will eventually find out or if I turn in the resume, they will figure out I'm deaf.
that's what make it hard. There's just no real way to win.
So if I was ever to look for a new job (probably will be looking for another seasonal job at end of this upcoming season) I plan on try to call few people from the company and try to get onto their good side and hope they will work with me.
 
Favorite movie/actor/actress?
Also do you ever listen to music for the vibrations?
 
Favorite movie/actor/actress?
Also do you ever listen to music for the vibrations?

Favorite movie... I gotta say Fifth Element. But I love other movies such as Immortals, Snow White and Huntsman and others.

Actor: Clint Eastwood

Actress: Milla Jovovich, I like chick who can kick ass :)

Not really, some deaf people absolutely love music. Personally I don't care much for them.
 
With how many people keep asking me about my first language and have told them that my first language is sign language a few times. I have finally decided I'm going to let it out... Yes I'm a deaf guy. So go ahead and ask whatever you want to.

do you feel your other senses have "heightened" so to speak to compensate for your deafness?
 
can you 'hear' things in your dreams?

I seems to respond to sound as if I can hear it and can talk and understand what the person are saying and stuff. But I cannot actually hear it.


do you feel your other senses have "heightened" so to speak to compensate for your deafness?

Yes, my eyes catch small movements and details much more often than most people. Also I can feel vibrate more.
 
Do you have a modified smoke detector and/or doorbell?

Are you a good driver?

Do you have unlimited text messaging?

Is Marlee Matlin a hero in the deaf community?
 
I just read the entire thread and I have to say again, Thank you for answering all these questions so honestly and insightfully. You said a lot of things that really clicked in my head and will help me to better interact with the deaf community. When I was age 5-7 I lived next to a lady with a deaf son named Ronny who was a couple years older than me. His mom babysat me and my brother so we hung out with him a lot. He loved to blast def lepard and would put his hands on the speakers and close his eyes. I learned a few signs like "Pizza" and "Party" and did exactly what you said. Annoyed the hell out of him by constantly signing them :redface:

Anyways, good stuff man. Hopefully this doesn't get to the point where a bunch of people jump in without reading the rest of the thread and ask the same questions over and over.
 


Do you have a modified smoke detector and/or doorbell?- As much as I really should... I don't have them. I do have modified alarm clock though. It have a small pad that vibrate the bed when the alarm go off.

Are you a good driver?- I'd say yes. I'm a very cautious driver so I probably piss a lot of people off because I don't speed or drive like a manic. However there are some deaf people who drive horribly. I know one who have crashed 6 different cars...

Do you have unlimited text messaging?- Oh yes! Almost all deaf person do! It is basically lifeline beside FB.

Is Marlee Matlin a hero in the deaf community?- Somewhat. The thing is, lot of deaf people absolutely LOVE Hollywood! Many of them are very into movies and stuff, especially the more animated the actor/actress are (lot of them are massive fan of Jim Carey and Adam Sandler, both whom I can care less for). So some look at Marlee Matlin as the greatest thing ever.
Most just don't really care for her. It's a extremely common knowledge that she's a major bitch who look down at her nose at everybody and love to put people down. Since rumors get around fast in deaf community and the deaf community are incredibly small and no body have ever truly been able to successful defend her in any way, not even her die hard fans. So I believe the rumor is true.
But I'm not really that into Hollywood crap, so I don't care much for her. Hell if she approach me, I'd probably not know who she is since I don't even know what she look like.

Thanks EyeTrainUFC and Nooby! Appreciate it! Glad both of you are enjoying the thread!
 
After being deaf for most of your life, if someone could offer you the ability to hear would you take it?

I ask this because I read an article about a blind man who was given the gift of sight after 40+ years of blindness and became so depressed by the world that he killed himself 2 years later. I wouldpost a link to the story, but I am on my phone.
 
He said he wouldn't a few times in the thread. It can cause trouble sleeping, bad headaches, etc.
 
Have you ever done mushrooms or LSD?

Would acid be boring to a blind person?

I had a buddy admit to me that he did acid once. Really random. Said it didn't do anything and he was just bored.
 
Side note.

There should be an Ask A Blind Guy Anything thread.
 
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