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Deaf people live and interact as a distinct people group. Approximately 22,000 population Deaf community in Malaysia, they have their own customs, norms, habits, thought patterns, language, and common experiences that identify them as a unique culture group. Deaf people tend to believe that deafness is not a disability or a handicap, but rather the quality that unites Deaf people into a cohesive, vibrant community. Thus, Deaf people prefer to be called “Deaf” rather than “Hearing Impaired”.
Deaf people live in a world that is largely made for those people who can hear and speak. Their many responses to these situations may be a result of on-the-spot ingenuity, and this instills pride in them. Many Deaf people are proud to be Deaf and would want it no other way.
Resource Website: My Hearing Exchange - Empowering the Deaf in Malaysia
Language Notes...
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Most Deaf People’s preferred language is Malaysian Sign Language (Malay: Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia, or BIM).
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Malaysian Sign Language (MySL / BIM) is not a form of Bahasa Malaysia / English – it has its own distinct grammatical structure.
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Most Deaf people regard BIM as their natural language, which reflects their cultural values and keeps their traditions and heritage alive.
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Not being able to hear the spoken language makes learning to speak and write Bahasa Malaysia / English fluently difficult. It remains, at best, a second language for them, while Sign Language is their heart language.
How do Deaf people...
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Wake up in the morning? There are special alarm clocks attached to either a flashing light or a bed vibrator that will activate when the alarm goes off.
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Understand T.V.? Many television shows/movies are captioned. There is a decoder inside the television, which can be turned on via remote control. Once turned on, words appear on the screen like subtitles.
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TV news – sign language interpreter is featured in a small circle of the tv screen.
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Internet Needs? Most of the Malaysians stayed in different states and used the webcam / Messenger / Email ... to keep in touch.
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Talk on the mobile phone? Don't worry. Some of them use SMS, also sign language enters 3G phones! Today they use mobiles from 3G (real-time) able to communicate in their first language - the sign language.
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