Darryl Shannon wrote:
>
> >At 02:56 AM 7/28/01, Adam C. Lipscomb wrote:
> >
> >>To my mind, primates are political animals. Chimps and gorillas have
> >>well-established hierarchies, and we're no different. Well,
> >>actually, a
> >>little different - we're (usually) not as hairy, and most of us can't
> >>pick
> >>things up with our feet or say "Ball pretty Koko play color ball
> >>banana" in
> >>sign language.
> >
> >
> >Actually, I have pretty flexible feet.
> >
> >
> >--Ronn! :)
> >
>
> And I can say "Ball pretty Koko play color ball banana" in sign
> language. Wait, I forgot the sign for banana. (Checks dictionary)
> OK, NOW I can sign "Ball pretty Koko play color ball banana".
Yeah, but try signing pretty with your feet! I just tried and almost
chipped a tooth.. :(
> Speaking of sign language, let's discuss sign language for hearing
> people. Babies are capable of signing before they are capable of
> producing intelligble words. Even babies as young as 6 or 7 months are
> capable of signing "more". One of the best things you can do to
> improve communication with your baby is to sign to him/her. Not
> neglecting speech, but using an alternate channel.
>
> And many developmentally disabled people really benefit from sign,
> especially people with Down's Syndrome. Even if speech is very
> difficult for them, they can often express themselves better through
> signs.
>
> Has anybody else on the list used sign language? Anyone interested in
> learning more about using sign with babies?
Yes indeed - I sign and use it almost everyday.. I've always gestured
with my hands, and in the last 2 years since beginning to learn sign
I've developed the habit of signing as I talk.
SciAm had a neat article on sign and head injuries last month.. can't
remember the details at the moment
-jeffrey-
