FAO Plotter, hope you don't mind....

[Mel]

Hi Plotter. Hope you don't mind me asking this but I think you have the expertise. When hearing people think, we usually think in words that we can sort of "hear" in our minds. Sometimes we think in pictures, but mainly in words. How do deaf people think? Is it in signs or pictures or some other way? My daughter asked me and, to my shame, I did not know.

 

[LMH]

Hi Mel

I found this for you on a forum:

----

That question: "You know how hearing people usually say they have a little voice in their head when they think? How about you? How do you think?" They are usually nervous that the question would offend me. First of all, it is extremely hard to offend me. Second, that is actually a good question! I recall the first time a friend asked me that and I didn't even know how to respond because I never really thought too much about that. I just think, why question how I think?

After pondering on this issue, I am still somewhat lost. However, I will do my best to describe what it is that I "hear". I believe it is a mixture of several methods of thinking. The strongest one would be how I feel myself talking inside my head. For example, I feel my mouth moving and forming words in my head. Second biggest one would be imagery. I see and feel myself signing inside my head. Last one would be, yes . . . a little voice in my head. I know some people would wonder how can she hear a voice in her head when she doesn't even know what it is like to hear a voice? I honestly can't even explain it, since I don't completely understand it myself either. My closest comparison is that since I grew up taking speech therapy for about five years, I do understand the basic concept of how to speak. It just happens that I am not all that good at it. I also wore hearing aids until I reached the end of seventh grade, and did hear a number of sounds but I never was able to understand what exactly I was hearing. I think that with the help of speech therapy and my experiences with hearing certain sounds has somehow formed a concept of a voice and how words would sound? That's the best I can do!

-------

I did level one BSL and the first thing they teach you is that when speaking to a hearing impaired person, the structure of the sentence is different:

I would normally say:

'Hello, my name is Lisa, I live in London'

When using BSL, you turn it around and say:

'Hello, name me Lisa, live me London'

Lisa

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Hi Mel

I found this for you on a forum:

----

That question: "You know how hearing people usually say they have a little voice in their head when they think? How about you? How do you think?" They are usually nervous that the question would offend me. First of all, it is extremely hard to offend me. Second, that is actually a good question! I recall the first time a friend asked me that and I didn't even know how to respond because I never really thought too much about that. I just think, why question how I think?

After pondering on this issue, I am still somewhat lost. However, I will do my best to describe what it is that I "hear". I believe it is a mixture of several methods of thinking. The strongest one would be how I feel myself talking inside my head. For example, I feel my mouth moving and forming words in my head. Second biggest one would be imagery. I see and feel myself signing inside my head. Last one would be, yes . . . a little voice in my head. I know some people would wonder how can she hear a voice in her head when she doesn't even know what it is like to hear a voice? I honestly can't even explain it, since I don't completely understand it myself either. My closest comparison is that since I grew up taking speech therapy for about five years, I do understand the basic concept of how to speak. It just happens that I am not all that good at it. I also wore hearing aids until I reached the end of seventh grade, and did hear a number of sounds but I never was able to understand what exactly I was hearing. I think that with the help of speech therapy and my experiences with hearing certain sounds has somehow formed a concept of a voice and how words would sound? That's the best I can do!

-------

I did level one BSL and the first thing they teach you is that when speaking to a hearing impaired person, the structure of the sentence is different:

I would normally say:

'Hello, my name is Lisa, I live in London'

When using BSL, you turn it around and say:

'Hello, name me Lisa, live me London'

Lisa

Don't tell porkies, you live in Nottingham.

 

[LMH]

Hi Mel

I found this for you on a forum:

----

That question: "You know how hearing people usually say they have a little voice in their head when they think? How about you? How do you think?" They are usually nervous that the question would offend me. First of all, it is extremely hard to offend me. Second, that is actually a good question! I recall the first time a friend asked me that and I didn't even know how to respond because I never really thought too much about that. I just think, why question how I think?

After pondering on this issue, I am still somewhat lost. However, I will do my best to describe what it is that I "hear". I believe it is a mixture of several methods of thinking. The strongest one would be how I feel myself talking inside my head. For example, I feel my mouth moving and forming words in my head. Second biggest one would be imagery. I see and feel myself signing inside my head. Last one would be, yes . . . a little voice in my head. I know some people would wonder how can she hear a voice in her head when she doesn't even know what it is like to hear a voice? I honestly can't even explain it, since I don't completely understand it myself either. My closest comparison is that since I grew up taking speech therapy for about five years, I do understand the basic concept of how to speak. It just happens that I am not all that good at it. I also wore hearing aids until I reached the end of seventh grade, and did hear a number of sounds but I never was able to understand what exactly I was hearing. I think that with the help of speech therapy and my experiences with hearing certain sounds has somehow formed a concept of a voice and how words would sound? That's the best I can do!

-------

I did level one BSL and the first thing they teach you is that when speaking to a hearing impaired person, the structure of the sentence is different:

I would normally say:

'Hello, my name is Lisa, I live in London'

When using BSL, you turn it around and say:

'Hello, name me Lisa, live me London'

Lisa

Only for part of the week...

 

[Mel]

Fascinating , Thanks Lisa. The bit about "hearing" a voice is really interesting. I knew that BSL was a language and not just signs representing objects the way that Makaton does. I guess what I hadn't thought about either is when deaf people read written english they are effectively functioning bilingually; reading one language while thinking in another.

Thanks for the post

Mel

 

[Legsmaniac_374344731]

As someone who is deaf myself, I can only tell you my own feelings and experience because having met many deaf people, I know they all have their own personal views. This largely depends on their level of deafness and their grasp of the English language.

I consider myself lucky to have been brought up with a good understanding of the English language (thanks mum) and therefore think in words, coupled with the usual imagery which (I imagine) most people think in. I also know that most deaf people dream (day or night) as a hearing person. The same way as a paraplegic would dream they are running through the meadows.

I'm also taught to BSL Stage 1 with some Stage 2 knowledge (albeit rusty now) but I rarely ever use sign language. When I do, I prefer to sign in SSE rather than BSL. (Sign Supported English) This means that instead of signing "Name me Gary" (BSL) I would sign "My name (is) Gary" (SSE) Whilst I accept BSL is a recognised language in it's own right, I personally hate it, preferring SSE which is closer to the English language as we know it. And our way of thinking.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Quote ... "therefore think in words, coupled with the usual imagery which (I imagine) most people think in".

I usually get the image first and then think of the words but I'm afraid they aren't for this forum. I'm glad that you think most people think like this because it means I'm not a dirty old ******.

 

[Soozeeg]

Quote ... "therefore think in words, coupled with the usual imagery which (I imagine) most people think in".

I usually get the image first and then think of the words but I'm afraid they aren't for this forum. I'm glad that you think most people think like this because it means I'm not a dirty old ******.

Aren't you, LB?? (raised eyebrows icon thingy, followed by winking icon thingy and rolling on floor laughing icon thingy)

Morning, your Lordship.......hehehe

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Quote ... "therefore think in words, coupled with the usual imagery which (I imagine) most people think in".

I usually get the image first and then think of the words but I'm afraid they aren't for this forum. I'm glad that you think most people think like this because it means I'm not a dirty old ******.

For inferring that I am please remember it's Sunday so go stand in the corner, say 10 hail Mary's and gargle in holy maids water.

 

[Soozeeg]

For inferring that I am please remember it's Sunday so go stand in the corner, say 10 hail Mary's and gargle in holy maids water.

ROFL

I don't know any hail Mary's LB (or holy maids for that matter, LOL)

 

[Mel]

Trust someone to lower the tone of a sensible, nay educational, exchange!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Trust someone to lower the tone of a sensible, nay educational, exchange!

Sighh!!!!!!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

I take myself told off :OP