Author: Dr. Susan EasterbrooksGeorgia State University

• Date submitted to deafed.net – March 24, 2006

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• An Overview of Systems for the Development of English through Visual Representations

• Spring, 2002• Susan R. Easterbrooks, Georgia State University

An Overview of Systems for the Development of English through

Visual Representations

Spring, 2002Susan R. Easterbrooks, Georgia State

University

English Based Sign Systems

• The purpose of the English-based sign systems is to represent the structure of spoken English through visual means

Types of Visual Manual Codes •Contact Sign•Manually Coded English•Cued Speech•Fingerspelling•Augmentative Communication

Manually Coded English

Invented sign systems that have the purpose of visually representing English.

Typically used in conjunction with speech with the goal of English literacy.

There are many MCE’s including SEE I, SEE II, LOVE and CASE.

Contact Sign or Pidgin Sign English (PSE)

A combination of ASL and English.Tends to be more English.This cannot be learned because it is

the natural result of bilingual interaction and will change from person to person.

Not a complete language.

Cued Speech

A visual communication system that uses eight handshapes positioned around the face to help distinguish between sounds which may look similar.

Used primarily with speechreading.

Fingerspelling

Each of the 26 letters of the alphabet have a corresponding sign.

Through finger spelling, words may be spelled out for clarity.

This is used in conjunction with either ASL or the MCE’s.

Augmentative Communication

Methods and/or devices which supplement verbal communication.

May take many forms from very simple to complex.

Includes pointing to items on a board, gesturing, using programs for synthesized speech, etc.

Goal is personal expression.

Discussion of Manually Coded English

•Advantages•easier for parents and teachers to learn•aids in speechreading•allow for a mode of communication while learning ASL

•Disadvantages•slower to use•difficult to speak and sign at the same time•signs often left out in favor of speed•literacy does not appear to be significantly improved

Discussion of Contact Sign• This form is used in communication

between people who do not use the same language.

• It cannot really be chosen as an option for communication because it is not learned.

• Knowledge of either English or ASL is necessary for this to happen.

Discussion of Cued Speech•Advantages•easy to learn•helps to make sense of distorted sound•children learn to self correct speech•improves speechreading in all situations

•Disadvantages•not commonly used•there are few cued speech transliterators•it is difficult for the child to express himself until mastery is achieved

Discussion of Augmentative Communication

• Typically only used when no other mode is possible.

• Advantages• simplifies input making it easier to

focus on the task/subject at hand• pressure for speech is removed• physical demands are decreased

Things to consider when choosing a method

•Community or Population

•Degree of Parental Involvement

•Additional Disabilities

Community or Population• Certain areas are more likely to use a

particular mode.

• Large numbers of New Englanders use ASL, however, there are only a few small pockets of people who use cued speech.

• It is best to research communicative options in your area before committing to one.

Degree of Parental Involvement

• When a mode is chosen the parents must learn and use that mode consistently for any progress to occur.

Additional Disabilities

• This must be taken into consideration because some children will be unable to use certain modes of communication.

• Some systems are more physically taxing than others.

• Some systems are more cognitively taxing than others.

Can Methods be Combined?

• Yes, more than one method can be used at the same time.• both ASL and MCE’s also use fingerspelling• receptive cued speech may be combined

with expressive sign• contact sign, by definition, must be

combined with some other system• augmentative communication is often a

bridge to or facilitator of speech and speechreading

Glossary• Lipreading - understanding speech

by watching the lips.

• Speechreading - understanding speech by watching the talker.• Lips, jaw, tongue, etc

• Transliterator - someone who understands the mode and can communicate with and speak for the cuer.

References

• http://www.bsos.umd.edu/hesp/hesp202/deafsign.htm

• http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/infotogo/492/492-3.html

• http://www.cuedspeech.com/discover.cfm

• http://deaflibrary.org/asl.html

References Continued• http://www.listen-up.org/

options1.htm

• http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/lcisd/augment.htm

• Secord, W.A., Shames, G.H., & Wigg, E.H. (1998). Augmentative and Alternative Communication. In S.D. Dragin (Ed.) Human Communication Disorders (510-551). Boston: Allyn and Bacon

Other Resources

• http://www.zak.co.il/deaf-info/ old/methods.html

• http://www.dpa.org.sg/signlang/html/ basics.html

• http://web7.mit.edu/CuedSpeech/cue_ definition.html

• http://www.emstac.org/resources/english_language.htm

• http://tesol.edu/isaffil/intsec/f-teds.html• http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb