212 organizations Row 1: M. Coy, M. Hayes, J. Cogle, A. Dowler. Row 2: T. Lake, S. Ward, S. Hackney, L. Lawson. Row 3: L. Medford, A. Roberts, R. Pugh. Row 4: B. McLain (Sponsor), S. Thornton, B. Yarbrough, S. Copehart. Row 5: N. Martz, K. Dingus, C. Field, D. Moran. Row 6: M. Norris, C. McMenamy, C. McNiece. Row 1: K. Fittz, J. Pancoast, R. Klemmer, C. Swenson. Row 2: K. Studivan, N. Sullenger, C. Quinn, B. Parker. Row 3: K. Ramirez, N. Ramirez, S. Cummings, H. Beall, E. Hauptli. Row 4: J. Beauchamp (Sponsor), H. Ware, N. Michael, N. Darnell. Student Speech and Hearing Association Petit Jean Though most students in the Ganus Building were there to learn and practice a foreign language, a certain group of students gathered every Monday evening to learn a different kind of language — one that required no talking. The Dactylology Club was an organization on campus that taught sign language, a form of communication vital to millions of people worldwide. This club provided anyone interested the opportunity to learn sign language, or if they already knew it, to teach it to others. “It is just like any other foreign language,” sophomore Malissa Taber said. “There is a group of people who use sign language to communicate, and if you want to be able to talk to those people, you have to learn their language.” Those involved in the club brought a variety of experience. Fluent signers and those with little or no experience alike came in order to learn and improve their abilities. “Members bring a wide range of skill,” junior Manon Jacob said. “Some have never signed before and others have had internships as interpreters. We divide into two groups and practice our sign language. Sometimes we tell stories or learn hymns, but we always practice.” In addition to classroom exercises, members of the club also had the opportunity to attend a church where they got to experience sign language in a real-life setting. “We went to a Deaf church in Little Rock to worship and talk to people who completely rely on sign language,” Jacob said. “We got a chance to talk to many of them and find out about their lives. It was an incredible experience.” For Jacob, learning sign language was something she had been interested in but never got into until joining the Dactylology Club. “This is my first year in the Dactylology Club, but I have always wanted to learn sign language,” she said. “At [College church of Christ], I always sit where I can see the interpreter, and [I] hope that I will eventually be able to help out a congregation someday or just be able to communicate and assist people.” Another club member, sophomore Jessie Cannon, started learning sign language when she was three years old and was still practicing and studying to become fluent. “By learning sign language we are able to communicate with another culture, therefore developing more relationships and reaching out to more people,” Cannon said. “The only difference between Deaf people and hearing people is that they cannot hear. Otherwise, they are just like us, and I think it is important that people realize this fact.” While some learned sign language for career purposes, Jacob had other reasons for wanting to learn. “I do not plan on getting a job with sign language [but] maybe just [help] out my church back home,” she said. “Mostly I want to be able to meet and get to know people, and this is just one less boundary.” Jacob also noted the importance she saw in being able to connect with people through sign language. “I think that it is incredibly important to be able to reach out to many who are often forgotten about,” she said. “There are very few people who know sign language, and the Deaf are often left out of friendly conversation and worship. I would really like to be able to communicate with them and just make them aware that someone cares and is interested in their life.” Rebecca Harrell Nonverbals Students Practice Different Forms Of Communication
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