Communicating in more ways than one

Learning the basics of American Sign Language: it is all in the eyes

‘Children of a Lesser God,’ at the Ahmanson Theater.

For most classes, 38 students would make plenty of noise.

The group outside the Village classroom at Pierce College is extremely quiet—but their hands and arms are moving rapidly and most are making eye-to-eye contact with each other.

The professor arrives, unlocks the door, and the students file in and take their seats.

American Sign Language 1 (ASL) is ready to begin.

Professor Cindy Herbst has taught for 34 years at Pierce College and is the ASL instructor.

“ASL is a two-year Associate in Arts degree program in American Sign Language and English interpreting,” Herbst said.

“Employment opportunities in sign language interpretation is the goal, from educational to community based settings, like medical, appointments with lawyers, doctors, mechanics; all things people do everyday of their life.”

Professor Herbst was a hearing child who grew up with deaf parents.

Growing up she knew they were different from other families, but she spent a lot of time around other hearing family members, therefore she learned how to verbally communicate and sign at a young age.

Starting at five years old, she would translate for her parents.

“I saw the original play,

It was a significant depiction of the deaf experience that was offered to the grand population, on a larger scale than what typically happened before.

It was such a successful production on such a grand level like that.

So that was the beginning of people’s awareness of a different way of living life,” Herbst said.

Miguel Rodriguez, a student at Pierce College, “is very well known by many of the students in the ASL program” according to Herbst.

He is majoring in mathematics and hopes to become a math teacher.

He was not born deaf but lost his hearing at 3 months from an illness.

Rodriquez’ parents decided to put him in oral school so he would be able to communicate with them.

In school he understood pictures and concepts of what the teacher was teaching, but was unable to speak.

The teacher decided it was best he go to a school where he would learn how to sign.

His family also tried to learn how to sign in order to communicate with him.

When they did not understand each other they would draw pictures to communicate until he was able to write.

“I attended a deaf elementary school where I felt comfortable and at home,” Rodriguez signed.

His whole world changed when he had to attend a non-deaf middle school.

“I felt out of my element, but not as much as when I attended high school. In middle school, my

Top 10 study snacks

Choosing the right food for nals can make the di erence between a passing grade and a fail parents would translate for me and keep me under their wing, but in high school I was on my own and had to learn how to interact with the hearing,” he signed

A student who benefits from the program is Lane Green, 21, interpreting major. Green wants to use his

1. Nuts

Pistachios, almonds, walnuts, and peanuts contain a high amount of crucial fatty acids to help the students’ endeavors. Also they are a good source of protein and are easy to carry, containing unsaturated fats or the “cool” fat, which is a good calorie intake choice.

2. Coffee and tea

Staying awake for late night study sessions can be hard without the proper boost.

Coffee will act as a stimulant, boosting the ability to retain one’s studies.

While tea affects problem solving and focus positively, overuse of either will have negative side effects. Drink accordingly.

3. Fish interpreting skills to help children. Green is in ASL 3. He has been signing for almost 5 years.

Particularly salmon and albacore tuna which both have high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acid.

“Several of my family members have Aspergers syndrome or are deaf.” Green said. “I love the method of communication. It is a very straightforward method of language.”

4. Energy drinks

Drinking these on a regular basis is not a great idea, but twice the amount of caffeine, and high amounts of vitamins B6,B3,B2, and B12 will keep you up during long studies.

5. Cocaine (Energy Drink)

Worthy of its own mention, forced to change it’s name in 2007 by the FDA.

The drink cocaine has three times the amount of taurine of a monster.

Need to stay up for 17 hours studying, this bad boy is for you.

6. Berries

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries are always beneficial. They are high in antioxidants, which helps blood flow by lowering toxin levels in the bloodstream. They are easily accessible at your local grocery store

Like any culture around the world there are certain guidelines that everyone should follow.

22-year-old cartooning and animation major Steven Asidilla, who is currently taking American Sign Language 1 with Instructor Kristine Hall, was surprised with some of the guidelines.

Do: Signing students, both hearing and deaf, tend to stand a few feet apart. It is acceptable to walk in between them while they are signing.

Don’t: Just like when two people are talking it is rude to eavesdrop on their conversation, staring at individuals when they are signing is the equivalent.

Do: Individuals who are deaf tend to be patient and it is acceptable for another person to spell out certain words to communicate.

Deaf culture: Do’s and Don’ts Club reestablished a er year long hiatus

After its resurrection from the Pierce College club graveyard, the American Sign Language Club steadied its feet this fall semester after about a year of holding an inactive status.

This is an alternative for students interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL) which taught in both the fall and the spring semester.

However ASL 1, along with all the odd number classes is only taught in the fall and the even numbers in the spring.

According to the club president Elizabeth Ulloa, 23, the ASL Club got back on its feet mid-semester to open an opportunity to students who share a common interest and want to be able to communicate through sign language.

“It’s important to come together and sign to one another,” Ulloa said. “We get to develop the fluency and comfortability of signage amongst each other, as well as we get to share what we’ve learned from other classes.”

Deaf communities from the San Bernardino County, Orange County, Torrance, Ventura and the local city of Northridge come together for “deaf events” that the Pierce club members attend as well, Ulloa said.

Once a month within the San Fernando Valley, groups gather together anywhere from a central Starbucks location, bookstores, pizza parlors or sometimes Subway. California State University, Northridge also holds seminars to network within, said Ulloa.

“There’s a lot of people that know there’s deaf people in the world but don’t encounter them. It turns into ‘how would I communicate without having to write notes?’ That’s what this club is for, along with the classes that Pierce offers,” said club secretary and American sign language interpreting major Francisco Meza, 22.

Concurrent enrollment student Rosa Robertson, 17, is enrolled in Cindy Herbst’s American Sign

7. Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate only, no milk chocolate will do, but higher amounts of concentrations are ideal. Increasing blood flow to the brain with increasing awareness and clarity.

8. Raw vegetables

Cooking vegetables often takes out the nutrients the body and brain needs the most. For the better grades, eat your vegetables which provide a student necessary nutrients to increase productivity and help during those study hours.

9. Water

Hydration is necessary to keep one’s brain focused and in tip-top shape. Whether from the tap or from the bottle, water is your best friend when trying to remember those difficult equations.