The First Batch Sign Language Trainees Graduated
This week fifty five trainees of whom twenty eight are hearing-impaired
graduated after taking an intensive sign language course prepared by the
Eritrean National Association of the Deaf. During the graduation ceremony,
Ato Kahsay Gebrehiwet, a Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Ato Semere
Russom, a Minister of Education, representatives from European Union including
members of the deaf parents were attended to witness this historic
graduation ceremony. (See Hadas Eritrea, October 25, 2016, page 1.)
The primary goal of this language program is to introduce the hearing
public to the Deaf World by way of Sign Language. It is virtually one of the
communication languages of Eritrea whose origin goes back to Nordic Sign
Language which was a language of instruction at Keren School for the Deaf for
more than four decades. After liberation, a Committee composed of deaf
educators, and deaf para-professionals was established in an effort to develop a
National Sign Language with admixture of Nordic and local (native) signs.
After a lengthy studies, the Committee, with the support of Ministry of
Labor and Social Affairs, and Diaspora Deaf Eritreans published the first
National Sign Language of Eritrea consisting of two thousands signs. According
to linguists, about six hundred words are required to communicate in any
language with a relative ease.
However, the present Sign Language Dictionary is geared toward social
interaction and instructional mode at least at primary level. Therefore,
ever-continuing studies are required in an effort to develop a very integrated
instructional Sign Language which is hardly needed at higher level of
education.
All in all, no trace of Special Education transmitted to Eritrea after a
long years of colonial rule. That is why in 1952 the Swedish and Finish
Missionaries introduced the first deaf school of its kind in East Africa. Even
so, it was and still is unthinkable to expand the services due to a growing
number of hearing-impaired Eritreans. At present, it is estimated that
there are about 35,000 acoustically impaired people possessing different
degrees of hearing loss. Obviously, there would be a call for a “Pilot Project”
at a State level just to tackle such a challenge from scratch. It can be
done based on other countries’ experiences.
Regardless of educational lag, the deaf Eritreans are highly independent
and fast learners too than any others I know during my long stay in the
Diaspora. Most of them are married with successful children. They have a deep
sense of community as Eritreans. Above all, their vision for better “Deaf
Eritrean World” to flourish still endures.
Haile Bokure
Received on Fri Oct 28 2016 - 07:55:38 EDT