Talking to Deaf people.

[Michael Logan]

Ive just started in a new class at university and one of the guys in my new class is deaf.

He has a person that goes along to classes and translates everything that is said to sigh language for him. So what Im wondering is, when I'm talking to him do I look at the translater or the guy?

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

I'd say, look at both, so you're addressing the translator as well as the deaf person and neither can feel excluded by that. When they're talking to you, look at the deaf guy when he signs to the translator and look at the translator when he translates.

It's also a good reason to try and pick up a bit of sign language.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

Does it matter? When talking to him, look at him. When getting a response look at the translator...or maybe you should try to pick up on how to preform sign language yourself?

 

[Jack_Uzi]

I think it's best to look more at the deaf person (don't know if he can read lips, or either learns it). It might come over as a bit rude to only look at the translator while you are actually talking to that other guy.

 

[Michael Logan]

Ive also been thinking that I should look at the deaf guy when I talk to him because it feels more polite, but he needs to look at the translator to understand what im saying.

I acctually have been thinking about learning sign language, I feel it would be cool to know it. Does any of you know sign language? Is it hard to learn?

 

[Harley Q]

I have a little bit of American and British sign language, I found American sign language easier to learn. So not sure where you're from.

 

[Michael Logan]

Im from Sweden, I wasnt aware that there was a diffrence to sign language in diffrent countries, surely it cant be that diffrent?

 

[damocles23]

Talk to both.

 

[similar.squirrel]

This seems as good an opportunity as any to learn sign-language. I'm not sure about etiquette, though. I'd personally say what I want to say to the translator and look at the aurally-impaired person when I have done speaking. Perhaps you should Google it.

Had a bit of a faux-pas with a guy in art class who I thought was deaf. Turns out he just had severely limited hearing [and a strong speech-impediment because of this]. Ended up writing him a note, as I thought he couldn't hear at all.
Didn't help that I have a very hard time raising my voice.
That was an awkward project, but I guess you live and learn.