Learning from Overseas Deaf Experts

Summary of Workshop and Da Wei Ni

On 22 January 2015, MyBIM successfully hosted the MyBIM Public Lecture, aimed at expanding knowledge on recent findings in Deaf cultural studies. The invited speaker, Da Wei Ni, originally from China and now a long-time resident of Austria, presented on “Media Sign Language”. Fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), Da Wei captivated an audience of 40 participants with his engaging presentation, which also explored the concept of Deaf culture and the future of Deaf communities across Asia and Europe. His presentation provided valuable insights into media sign language, highlighting its critical role in bridging communication and cultural gaps within Deaf communities globally. He discussed how media sign language has the potential to connect Deaf people across different regions, fostering a sense of shared identity and understanding. MyBIM expressed deep gratitude for the strong turnout and engagement, emphasizing the importance of continuing educational programs like this to further promote awareness and knowledge within the Deaf community.

Summary of Media Sign Language

Media sign language refers to the adaptation and use of sign language in various media formats such as television, film, online videos, and news broadcasts. Its primary purpose is to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for Deaf audiences, allowing them to engage fully with content that might otherwise be inaccessible. Beyond simply providing access, media sign language also increases Deaf representation, allowing Deaf viewers to see themselves authentically portrayed in media, which strengthens Deaf identity and cultural pride.

In media settings, sign language is often standardised to reach a broader audience, though efforts are made to respect regional dialects within the Deaf community. This visibility and standardisation contribute to breaking down stereotypes, enhancing public awareness, and educating viewers about Deaf culture. Media sign language is especially impactful for Deaf children who have limited access to sign language in their everyday lives. For these children, exposure to sign language through media serves as a vital language-learning tool, offering them consistent visual input and language models that support their linguistic and cognitive development. Watching signed content can help build foundational language skills, enabling them to grasp vocabulary, grammar, and cultural expressions essential for communication within the Deaf community.

Moreover, technological advancements, such as digital media and online platforms, have expanded the reach of media sign language, providing new opportunities for Deaf content creators. Despite this progress, challenges remain in achieving widespread and consistent inclusion of sign language in mainstream media. Media sign language has a profound role in bridging language gaps for children, families, and the broader society, fostering a more inclusive world.

Summary of the Workshop and May-Lin Eu

On 10 August 2018, MyBIM and the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) organised a workshop at MFD, Bandar Puchong Jaya, Selangor, featuring Malaysian-born educator May-Lin Eu as the guest speaker. Originally from Selangor and raised in Penang, May-Lin later studied at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. The event, attended by approximately 80 participants including parents and special education teachers, centred on Bilingualism and Deaf Children’s Education.

May-Lin demonstrated the use of American Sign Language (ASL) to teach English, incorporating colourful graphic models to help Deaf students master English grammar and writing. Her presentation highlighted the effectiveness of a bilingual-bicultural approach in Deaf education, showing how ASL can empower Deaf students to develop strong literacy skills. The workshop sparked interest among attendees, offering new insights into effective methods for Deaf education in Malaysia.

Insight on Manipulative Visual Learning

Manipulative Visual Learning is an educational approach that combines sign language with visual aids to facilitate language acquisition and literacy among Deaf students. In this method, educators use manipulatives—physical or visual tools representing abstract concepts—to make learning more concrete and accessible. By integrating sign language with these visual tools, students gain a better understanding of linguistic structures. This approach aligns with bilingual-bicultural education principles, recognising sign language as the first language of Deaf individuals and using it as a foundation for learning written languages.

Current Status

The Manipulative Visual Learning approach, as demonstrated by May-Lin Eu, has shown promising results in enhancing literacy among Deaf students. By leveraging the natural visual-spatial strengths of Deaf learners, this method provides an intuitive pathway to mastering written languages. The success of these approaches underscores the importance of adopting bilingual-bicultural models in Deaf education, where sign language is the primary medium of instruction, respecting the linguistic and cultural identity of Deaf individuals.