by Keith Hillman

Created on: November 15, 2008

I can speak a little French. I can also get by in Spanish, Greek, Italian, Thai, German, Hindi and Patious if I need a beer that is!

Generally speaking the British, and probably Americans too are a bit unwilling to learn another language. We tend to assume that everywhere we go in the world we'll find the natives happy to jabber away in English to us.

But there is one language that I really wish I could use. It's not a spoken language, but it is a language none the less. I refer of course to signing the language of the deaf. Fascinating to watch - it uses not just the fingers and hands, but the arms, face and the entire body.

I was thinking about this earlier today when I had to attempt a conversation with a deaf person. We got through, but I so wished I could sign him my message.

A few years back I ran a country pub, the Brewers Arms, with my daughter. One of my regular customers was William, then in his late forties, who was profoundly deaf. He was always the centre of attention and the life and soul of the party. He had been born deaf, but as a small child his parents and his school failed to recognise his disability and treated him simply as a backward child with learning difficulties.

We did our best to include him in everything that went on in the pub, but it was always frustrating for him and us when we struggled to explain a joke or share some local gossip.

Well, my daughter decided to do something about it and in no time at all she could sign at breakneck speed, first using the letters of the alphabet to spell words and later using complete words and even phrases with one gesture. In fact William had to ask her to slow down on more than one occasion! Since then she has found it a very useful both socially and in business.

Slowly but surely schools in the UK are teaching signing to their younger pupils and I for one applaud it. At last children who are unable to hear are being included in mainstream schools rather than segregated into communities of other non-hearing girls and boys.

I've not seen William for a year or so, but wherever he is now I'm sure he's laughing his head off, even if he doesn't know what he's laughing at!

He speaks with his hands
and hears with his eyes
He feels the music

His laugh is the loudest
his words just sounds
but we understand

He's a joker, a clown
the ultimate entertainer
spreads joy all around

He feels special, unique
Says it's a gift!
We all love William

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