I know deaf peole know worods via sign language, but it doesn't seem like you could think in sign langauge. It seems that we think in clear english words, but how do deaf people know those words. If you meet someone who speaks a foreign language, they think in that language. What language do deaf people know/think in?
2007-01-06 02:10:18 · 7 answers · asked by Danielle F 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
i'm not deaf but i know sign language. the only difference is that hearing people label objects/ideas with words and deaf people label objects/ideas with signs. its like learning any other language. you use the language (which is more than words) to express your thoughts. even hearing people use signs to express thoughts like when you display a number with fingers, raise your hand, point, etc.
so we don't exactly 'think in words'
2007-01-06 02:25:33 · answer #1 · answered by morequestions 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Deaf people think in words too. Their form of communication is sign language but the words are the same!
2007-01-06 02:17:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We think in the same language that we were brought up to either speak or sign in. Some of us did actually have hearing and speech before we went deaf you know!
2007-01-06 02:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by sarch_uk 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The thought process does not have to involve words. For example, when people are in situations that require quick thinking, there is no time to talk through a rapid succession of required tasks.
If you want to describe a colour to a blind person, you cannot find the words to do so but you know in your mind what that colour is.
The link below has more ideas on the relationship of thought and language.
2007-01-06 09:52:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same as you! And I have been deaf for 30 years!
2007-01-06 02:18:39 · answer #5 · answered by rosebud 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
in a way that one will only know IF and i would underline it if i could, one is deaf, or has a speaking as such relationship with that deaf person
2007-01-07 00:54:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They probably think in whatever way they communicate. Perhaps they picture hands signing words, and perhaps, if they can read lips, they picture mouths moving and saying the world. Also, those who can read might picture the letters.
That's a good question.
2007-01-06 02:17:31 · answer #7 · answered by BekaJoy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋