This language is close to my heart. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult), i am fluent in Pakistani version of Sign Language as I consider it my mother language because both of my parents are deaf and mute. However, I grew up in a joint family system with my grand parents (both hearing) who made sure that I get to taste the sound side of the language too. I was often asked if sign language communication for me was difficult in the beginning, i dont have any concrete memory of that; it just came to me as second nature. I do have one faded memory of my earliest attempts of communicating in sign language with my parents when i was around 4 years old. For example, in one of my kindergarten assignments, i was asked by my teacher to bring colourful straws to make some handicraft in the class room as a group activity. I was able to tell my parents that i need straws by making hand gestures and drawing an image on the paper but it was difficult for me to explain the word colourful. I took out a pencil, wrapped that on pieces of cloth of different colours and made a gesture of using that pencil as a straw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Euof4PnjDk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io7z5PftOU4
<aside> 💡 At my current employer, I was requested to do a presentation on International Sign Language Day on 22nd September 2023. Presentation is attached below.
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International Sign Language Day Presentation on 22nd September 2023.pdf