Be careful when communicating with deaf and mute people

Perhaps it's time we change our perception of deaf and mute people. With the development of education and sign language, people no longer consider deaf and mute people as disabled. Of course, science has accurate definitions of disability, but from a cultural perspective, the deaf-mute community should not be considered a disabled community, but should only be considered a minority community. Simply because they don't speak the same language as other normal people, just like when we communicate with a Bana person who doesn't know Kinh, or a Lao person who doesn't know Vietnamese.

And indeed, the deaf and mute community in the world has been taking steps to fight strongly to be better integrated into the community, and to no longer be considered disabled people. The deaf and mute community has its own culture worth learning about, and a creative and colorful sign language.

I have searched quite carefully on the internet (pages about people with disabilities, the General Statistics Office, including the Department's annual publications and websites...) but have not found accurate data on deaf and mute people in Vietnam. . But certainly this number is not small, if we take an average of a few percent of the population similar to other countries. The number will definitely reach millions, it's not easy to ignore, right?

If you are really interested and want to join this minority community, here are some notes we have compiled for you. Joining the family depends on custom, just like you in Bulgaria, nodding means no, but shaking means yes, or to avoid the situation of "inviting Indians to eat beef, inviting Muslims to eat pork".

1. Introduction: when introducing yourself to people with disabilities, you should mention some things such as:

(Illustration photo: thinkquest)- Full name (spelled by hand). Name after NNKH (according to politeness, the name after NNKH is given to you by a deaf and mute person, you should not choose this name yourself. This name indicates a physical characteristic, for example: wearing glasses, having a mole on the cheek, big ears, curly hair...)

- Are you deaf or mute or hearing?

- Who taught you mathematical language and why did you study mathematical language?

2. "Call" a deaf and mute person: Usually by waving your hand. If this person lives too far away, you can ask someone nearby to 'call' for you. In case the person calling cannot see us waving because we are busy paying attention to something else, a light tap on the shoulder or upper arm is the way to go. You should pat gently but firmly. Some other ways could be to flash the light, or stomp your foot on the ground (like at Mr. Tuan's house, there is a very cool "doorbell", flashing the light instead of ringing the bell as usual).

3. Environment and communication techniques:

- Always maintain eye contact. Because the eyes are the expression of 'listening' in human language (why is there any other sense to replace it?)

- Sign and speak slowly and clearly (do not chew gum or close your mouth when communicating)

- Use short and simple sentences (rephrase in many ways if the interlocutor does not understand)

- Expression through facial expressions

- When changing the topic, briefly notify the interlocutor

- Spell by hand or write if necessary

- Be patient and always be comfortable and relaxed when communicating

- Avoid communicating in dark or poorly lit environments

- Avoid communicating in noisy environments with people using hearing aids

- The optimal distance when talking one-on-one is 1.5 - 2 meters apart (to avoid collisions)