FAQ

No, Sign language is not a universal language. Every country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, much like the many languages spoken all over the world. Like any spoken language, TTSL (Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language) is a language with its own unique rules of grammar and syntax. Like all languages, TTSL is a living language that grows and evolves over time.

At this time, UWI, Professional Development Outreach Office is offering sign language classes. Please view the following for more information: Hello everyone! Registration is officially open for our 2019 Introductory Sign Language courses! Due to your demand, we have included 3 course options at The UWI St. Augustine North Campus. Each course runs for 12 sessions. Spaces are limited and registration will be done on a first come, first served basis. For registration information, e-mail us at soeprofdev@sta.uwi.edu or chat with us at (868) 662-2002, Ext. 84327. We look forward to seeing you all very soon! :) Participant cost: Early-bird (before 14th December for Options 1-2; before 29th March for Options 3), UWI Staff, UWI Students, groups of 2 or more: TT$1500 Regular cost: TT$1700 Target age group: 17+ SCHEDULE: January-April 2019 1) Sign Language Course Option 1: 24th January—11th April (Thursday: 5pm – 7pm) at The UWI St. Augustine Campus 2) Sign Language Course Option 2: 26th January—13th April (Saturday: 1pm – 3pm) at The UWI St. Augustine Campus Deadline date for Early-Bird Fee: 14th December 2018 Deadline date for Regular Fee: 11th January 2019 May-August 2019 3) Sign Language Course Option 3: 27th May —12th August (Monday: 5pm – 7pm) at The UWI St. Augustine Campus Deadline date for Early-Bird Fee: 29th March 2019 Deadline date for Regular Fee: 3rd May 2019 E-mail: soeprofdev@sta.uwi.edu Telephone: (868) 662-2002, Ext. 84327

Often parents are afraid to teach sign language to their Deaf child as there is a belief that it will delay their speech. Exposing Deaf and Hard of Hearing children to sign language from birth benefits both the Deaf/Hard of Hearing child and the parents/guardians/caregivers! Nicole Hess, a Speech-Language Pathologist answers the question on if sign language will delay a Deaf child's speech in her link: http://www.child-psych.org/2009/04/will-teaching-my-baby-to-sign-delay-his-speech.html

Lipreading (sometimes called speech reading) is an extremely difficult skill to acquire. Even the best lipreaders can catch only 25% – 30% of what is being said. The percentage may be a little higher if the deaf person knows the speaker well. Deaf people look at the context of the discernible words in the sentence to fill in the words that they did not understand. Many mouth movements appear similar on the lips and may look the same to a deaf person. Example "shower" and "sour" are mouth movements that look the same and the deaf person typically fills in the blanks.