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[–]sterlingarcher0069 82 points83 points ago

A friend of mine was getting bitched at by a teacher when the teacher said, "You're going to be in big trouble when I talk to your parents." He replied, "You can't talk to my parents." "What do you mean I can't talk to your parents?" "They're deaf." And the teacher lost her shit and left the classroom.

Has this ever happened to you?

[–]malirose[S] 74 points75 points ago

Gotta love it. This one time, I was camping in maine with a bunch of friends of mine who all have deaf parents, and some of them were screaming obscene south park references down the mountain to each other. Well, a nosy southerner and his wife and teenage kids, tried to give us a talking to, and threatened to tell our parents what we were saying. We still make jokes about what happened when he tried talking to one of them.

[–]rackham_m 21 points22 points ago

Oh man please elaborate.

[–]malirose[S] 63 points64 points ago

Well, half of our group was down the mountain, and the rest of us were walking down in a line. We past this old southern guy and his wife and two 13/11 year old sons and here are the things he says to us. "You are disgusting, this is a public place, what would your parents say if they knew about your foul mouth." My friend curtly responds with, "Our parents are Deaf sir" -Old Man-"What?" Me-"Deaf sir, our parents are Deaf" -Old Man- "Thats a SICK joke!" Then he followed us lecturing us all the way back to the parking lot, where he tried talking to a parent. Making border line offensive gestures may I add. Then the parents son just tells his Mom that the guy is a raving lunatic and we leave. Quite a funny, and still well quoted moment.

[–]undomiel 23 points24 points ago

My parents only speak Korean. Similar episode, just in a different language aha.

[–]seanfleese 0 points1 point ago

That guy was an asshole

[–]_femme 0 points1 point ago

All the AMAs today mention Maine!

<3

[–]Mr_Alex 104 points105 points ago

Do you leave the volume turned up when you watch porn?

[–]malirose[S] 136 points137 points ago

When my sister isn't home, yeah i do lol

[–]g1bb0n 147 points148 points ago

Aren't you ever afraid that it's just been a 16 year elaborate prank?

[–]malirose[S] 146 points147 points ago

Oh god, don't even go there.

[–]berhnardhoffman 22 points23 points ago

Hahah, How much did you scream at your parents when you were a kid, just to see if they would flinch so you had proof they were faking it.

[–]baconperogies 63 points64 points ago

The long con.

Such dedication.

[–]miladmaaan 0 points1 point ago

good man

[–]bacon_cake 153 points154 points ago

I'm scared enough to leave the volume up when my parents are out of the country.

[–]PhilGarber 14 points15 points ago

^

This is golden. I laughed.

[–]gordoha 23 points24 points ago

you ever curse at them, knowing they can't hear you?

[–]malirose[S] 35 points36 points ago

I usually curse at them, knowing that they can read my lips. But if i covered my mouth or turned a corner...

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points ago

My parents always catch me, even when my face is turned away. When I was younger I suspected that they weren't deaf...

[–]Botshoepro 14 points15 points ago

foreign curse words ftw

[–]bkwrmi 20 points21 points ago

A friend of mine is a CODA and he's always said his younger siblings don't sign as well as he does - has this been your experience?

Also, in my social group in HS, we all learned a bit of sign to be polite to his family when we were over at his house - somehow, this became a bigger thing and we'd use it to talk in class, tell jokes, etc. Several of us have since taken formal classes. Have any of your friends learned to sign?

[–]malirose[S] 19 points20 points ago

Well, I actually go to a camp every summer for kids with deaf parents, and oddly enough, more deaf jokes are made their than anywhere else. But not too many of my friends have had the commitment to learn more than the alphabet and a few words in ASL.

[–]Gfinish 2 points3 points ago

I can verify the deaf jokes at the camp cuz I used to work at a couple KODA camps (one in upstate New York and one in South Dakota) But we were equal opportunity offenders and made jokes about hearing people too. Being on the cusp of two cultures gives us license to poke fun at both ;)

[–]malirose[S] 9 points10 points ago

OH MY GOD GFINISH. I HAD YOU AS A COUNSELOR AT CM7! Dunno if you remember me though, name is the same as the username lol.

[–]woofiegrrl 6 points7 points ago

Loving this, true-biz small deaf world!

[–]TheeFlipper 1 point2 points ago

I used to hang out with a guy who is a CODA. I never learned more than the alphabet and a couple of words here and there and I regret it. I could sign the alphabet quick as hell though and his parents could read it no problem, but I still regret not learning more. I wish my school had ASL classes, but apparently they stopped doing them last year.

[–]aweshucks 0 points1 point ago

This is why I love my school. We have no deaf students, and yet there are plenty of people who take ASL. I personally don't, although I wish I could. Spanish and Italian are enough for me

[–]Dhalsim2 49 points50 points ago

Was having to hear them have loud, unaware sex while you were home a regular part of your childhood?

[–]malirose[S] 31 points32 points ago

No. Well maybe it was, but i never really noticed it.

[–]Ruckol1 19 points20 points ago

ctrl-f sex

knew it

[–]clairedete 2 points3 points ago

Just related enough.. my ASL professor's shoes squeaked. She was deaf. Drove us nuts all semester. No one ever told her.

[–]bannanacup 47 points48 points ago

How did you learn to speak?

[–]malirose[S] 52 points53 points ago

My mom's family is all hearing, so i learned a lot from them. Also TV. Lots of TV.

[–]berhnardhoffman 8 points9 points ago

I grew up with a deaf father, and a busy mother, so i grew up with no tv at all in the house. or when we did it was the news at 6 and the only thing on would be close captioning

[–]malirose[S] 8 points9 points ago

Wow, How did you learn speaking in early childhood. I know i also went to a preschool with hearing kids there, so i picked stuff up there

[–]berhnardhoffman 15 points16 points ago

My mom was hearing, but she was a sign language interpreter, and a very busy one at that. She has interpreted for every single president, prime ministers, or any elected staff for the past 30 years. She wasnt home much unfortunately. and even now she is going back to work on her doctorates she spends the summers in north dakota for accelerated class session. So I didn't see her to to much. ha I didnt really learn any speech before first grade. But my first year, was instant, from nothing besides being able to sign short sentences, to Forming full paragraphs of speech that was coherant in one year.

[–]traek 17 points18 points ago

Your mom's story sounds interesting all by itself. Possible AMA?

[–]berhnardhoffman 18 points19 points ago

I guess i could always ask. but i live 1600 miles away. But how the hell would i ask her, 'hey mom, a group of people you don't know what to ask you personal questions about your life for the past 30 years, and oh yea i was wondering if you could send me some long socks, its getting cold up here'

I guess that could work.

[–]Kashii 2 points3 points ago

Use skype and record it!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points ago

Also TV. Lots of TV.

Hopefully not MTV, or Jersey Shore....

[–]EveryoneElseIsWrong 16 points17 points ago

you said that your dad is hard of hearing but won't wear a hearing aid because he grew up in a deaf community. i've heard that deaf people end up being really against the hearing community and refuse to let their deaf children get cochlear implants because they are proud of their community. do you find that your parents are like that? why do you think it is that they don't want to hear? don't they think they are missing out?

[–]malirose[S] 27 points28 points ago

Thats an interesting question, and one I've actually thought about before. Now, and I may be wrong here, but in my experience of dealing with deaf people, the ones who have grown up with a deaf family and had a good home experience actually have good relationships with hearing people. Like I know more than one deaf person, who as a child was beaten and abused emotionally because of the fact that he or she could not hear and do things like everyone else could. It's these people, when they discover the deaf community, cling on to it with all they can because it almost fills a hole that was made by childhood trauma. It can cause pride to the extent that you wouldn't give your child a CI. (Cochlear implant) However, in my father's family, half of my cousins are hearing, and half are deaf. None of my deaf cousins have gotten CI's or anything of the sort. One or two of my cousins may have worn a hearing aid for a while like 7 years ago, but not important. It's the same reason why any hearing parent would want to give a CI to their deaf child. Parents want to share a first language with their children. Sorry for the long response lol

[–]sixpersimmon 4 points5 points ago

Have you ever seen the documentary Sound and Fury? Very good. It's all about CI.

[–]Cliza 6 points7 points ago

It's just a different perspective on life. They don't see it as 'missing out' because they never had it or experienced it, or found the whole thing too tedious to deal with. Learning to hear with the cochlear implant takes a lot of time and dedication, not to mention they're really expensive. Plus, even with the best implant, the user doesn't get a full experience of hearing. Large groups of people make lots of noise, and that garbles the sound. The implants are best used in controlled situations, such as classrooms, one-on-one conversations, quiet work environments. Concerts, bars, parties and other group social activities are difficult for those with the implant because the sound ends up being a lot of jumbled background noise blurred together and incomprehensible, unless they have some one standing on their implanted side speaking loud enough to talk over the sound.

[–]fizzygalacticus 32 points33 points ago

How is it being able to play your crazy devil music as loud as you want?

[–]malirose[S] 43 points44 points ago

Fucking amazing :D

[–]Ich_bin_surreal 9 points10 points ago

How did you learn to communicate verbally as a kid? How do you think your parents being deaf influenced your learning?

[–]malirose[S] 12 points13 points ago

I learned to read a lot earlier than most other kids, so I had a bit of an accelerated early learning, and I had a better vocabulary than other kids from the reading. And like I said earlier, lots of TV.

[–]berhnardhoffman 7 points8 points ago*

Both me and my brother were reading at a college level before we were out of elementary school. growing up with a deaf father means ALOT of close captioning that runs by pretty fast with no sound.

Edit: i keep on leaving my pet alot in my sentences

[–]malirose[S] 5 points6 points ago

Yep, Yay for close captioning. Also can't watch tv without close captioning anymore lol

[–]berhnardhoffman 2 points3 points ago

Whenever i ask my roomate to turn it back on i just get a weird look.

[–]thebassethound 3 points4 points ago

A LOT*

[–]Ich_bin_surreal 2 points3 points ago

Thanks. That's really interesting to know!

[–]RemyJe 0 points1 point ago

Your improved vocabulary and accelerated early learning were probably related to the early acquisition and use of language before you could speak.

Babies and toddlers have the ability to communicate sooner than they have all the physical requisites to speak. In addition to accelerated learning it also reduces tantrums.

[–]deejay_reich 17 points18 points ago

Are you and your sister fluent in sign language?

I imagine that could come in handy if you're in a loud place and needed to say something to each other.

[–]malirose[S] 43 points44 points ago

Yeah, sign language is a first language for both me and my sister. And its quite convenient sometimes, especially while eating :D

[–]berhnardhoffman 17 points18 points ago

Upvote for being able to talk at the table!!!

[–]nipslip_ 2 points3 points ago

Is that atypical?

[–]berhnardhoffman 6 points7 points ago

Sorry, i am currently at an [8] , could you dumb down that sentence?

[–]nipslip_ 3 points4 points ago

I meant: is it strange that he gets to talk at the dinner table?

[–]drakeblood4 9 points10 points ago

Do you guys eat a lot of one handed foods so you can have conversations at the table?

[–]malirose[S] 12 points13 points ago

Uhh, no its usually like a finish dinner then talk thing, or pick up food, put in mouth, chew/ talk, swallow then repeat

[–]AldieN 0 points1 point ago

Taking ASL right now, when do yous start to get faster with the signs and fingerspelling? The teacher is deaf and he can go like a mile a minute when he signs to an interpreter.

[–]SojoTerp 1 point2 points ago

I know that after I've been hanging out with Deaf people/interpreters, my socializing while eating rhythm is all out of whack. For instance: when having dinner with hearing people, you eat while listening, then you don't eat while you talk. And then vice versa: with Deaf people/terps/signers, you put food in your mouth, BEFORE you start talking. Have you ever noticed any other quirks about how you interact with other people? (Hearing or Deaf, either way?)

[–]Dragonic2020 2 points3 points ago

I never thought that sign language could be so useful, even for hearing people. Thank you!

*goes off to learn it

[–]MehPlusRawr 7 points8 points ago

Do you think everyone should learn sign language?

[–]malirose[S] 17 points18 points ago

It would be awesome if they did, so then people could be quiet for a bit and talk with ASL, but I think that some of the attractiveness of the language is the fact that its not really that common.

[–]GoodNewsNobody 4 points5 points ago

Definitely I'm in high school and have taken two years of ASL. I'm in love with it. No one in my family is deaf and I have never known a deaf person until I got to high school, but first watch the intricate signs and facial expressions I knew I would easily pick it up. I'm trying to get out of signing English and more of real ASL now though. Anyways I love being able to talk to someone who cant easily talk to everyone and seeing the look on their face when someone has taking the time to learn their language and not just rely on an interpreter.

[–]runningformylife 0 points1 point ago

I took a semester of it (before leaving to study abroad, so unavailable where I currently am) and think it's great. First, it's kind of nice to cut out the auditory processing of language but still converse. It's like reading but reading another person in real time. Second, I started realizing all the useful situations it could be used in, like mouth full of something, distance between people and you don't have to yell, a noisy bar or festival, etc. I am definitely taking classes when I get back and may even go for a certification in interpreting at some point. Lastly, communicating with a deaf person I think is awesome. The number of people who sign isn't very high and I like being able to talk with people and share stories.

[–]123fakerusty 0 points1 point ago

I am assuming ASL stands for American sign language? Is their an international sign language or does it vary heavily by country?

[–]RemyJe 2 points3 points ago

Both.

There is a Universal Sign Language that is used for international conventions and the like.

Otherwise, it varies by country, yes. ASL is most like LSF (French Sign Language) but quite a bit different from BSL (British Sign Language), especially BSL's use of the hands and fingers.

Deaf people are masters at non-spoken communication and two people from different countries with different sign languages will generally be able to "get by" better than two hearing people.

[–]RemyJe 1 point2 points ago

This. In crowded/loud places like restaurants or parties I always have to stop myself from trying to sign with people.

[–]clairedete 0 points1 point ago

I think it would be very convenient when trying to communicate something to someone driving alongside you. Not like conversations (dangerous) but simple stuff.

[–]Berjj 7 points8 points ago

My best friend turns 24 next month, I've known him since he was 13. He can hear just fine, but both his parents are deaf. I don't know if that's the cause for it, but I've only ever met a single person who talks more than him and he loves to make random noises pretty much all the time. Whenever we hang out and he goes off to take a crap, you can hear him sing/scream from the bathroom at the top of his lungs. I suppose it started kind of like, "if no-one can hear me, then what's to be ashamed of?", and then it just turned into a habbit. Do you also have any habbits like these? He also tends to swear and curse at his parents when they have their backs turned (which feels really wierd and awkward for me since I'm not used to the situation). He once told me of a story when he was much younger and watched porn on their big TV in the living room with the volume turned up quite high, he then heard footsteps from his parents' room, so he he turned off the TV and froze in the sofa until his father went to the bathroom and then went back to bed.

TLDR; My best friend's parents are deaf, and he is a loud, fapping ninja in the dark.

[–]malirose[S] 2 points3 points ago

Yeah, I've done that a lot with video games especially. Like skyrim and skyward sword, and If i here anyone moving, the tv goes off fast. No weird or loud habits, just because Ive learned the value of silence lol

[–]Jorky101 7 points8 points ago

Hello, im hearing also with deaf parents, and have a dog named molly. haha, and my dad also loves his huge sub woofers to feel the vibration. And "most" of your answers to questions would be the same for me basically.

[–]malirose[S] 6 points7 points ago

Swag yo. Coda's unite!

[–]berhnardhoffman 0 points1 point ago

Thats it, i am creating a subreddit. i will PM you guys when it is made

[–]MisterHandagote 7 points8 points ago

Were you slow to develop speech, or are your parents able to talk?

The point about sign language during meals is awesome, I can imagine that being pretty nifty!

[–]malirose[S] 11 points12 points ago

Well, my parents can yell, although a garbled and obnoxious yell. But I do remember going to a speech class in kindergarden, and I remember complaining how it was a waste of time and how I would have rather been in my regular class. And screaming at someone in sign language, especially people who don't know it, can be quite fun. Its actually quite intimidating sometimes.

[–]jrob888 6 points7 points ago

And screaming at someone in sign language

How exactly do you scream at someone in sign language?

[–]malirose[S] 16 points17 points ago

Uhh, depends how you're yelling at them. If your really mad, you would be signing really fast, with small and messier sign, and more vigorous movement.

[–]hazleapricot 17 points18 points ago

[–]doperat 6 points7 points ago

that was hot

[–]FemSnatcher 4 points5 points ago

+1 for the L word

[–]MisterHandagote 3 points4 points ago

haha, I'm imagining all manner of expressive gestures now :)

Thanks for the reply and for the IAmA!

[–]dinolaser 1 point2 points ago

Doubtful, if OP went to a hearing school then there would be more than enough people to learn speech from.

Signing is especially great when you're in separate vehicles, or separated by any distance. When my brother rides his moped and I'm in my car, we can talk to each other at stop lights, even if we're quite far apart.

[–]clayides 6 points7 points ago

At what age did you become fluent in sign language?

[–]malirose[S] 6 points7 points ago

It was a first language, so maybe a little bit before a normal child would be considered to be fluent in their first language.

[–]flechesbleues 2 points3 points ago

It's apparently a "thing" now to teach hearing babies sign language. My niece and nephew (who live in England) both learned and it was quite fascinating! Children can learn to sign earlier than they can talk (and they can understand other people even earlier!), so this way they get to communicate with their parents significantly sooner than just relying on spoken words. I don't know how much it differs from "regular" sign language (it's probably significantly more focused on things like farm animals!). They learned to say things like "thank you", "more please", "finished", "bath time" and "nappy" (diaper), as well as the usual baby vocab of animals and weather and things like that.

[–]sublimnl 5 points6 points ago

Have you seen Dirty Signs with Kristen (http://www.youtube.com/user/thfemale)?

[–]malirose[S] 6 points7 points ago

I have now!

[–]sublimnl 11 points12 points ago

Hooray!

[–]Suptrickster 4 points5 points ago

Have you seen this before? My deaf family (pilot)

[–]malirose[S] 8 points9 points ago

I just watched it, I found more humor in watching the signs than what the translator was saying. Yeah, I related with a bit of it, and the sign is more realistic than that switched at birth shit.

[–]sublimnl 6 points7 points ago

I just watched that video and it scares me how distracted they are signing while driving, and more importantly, looking over at the passenger seat to see the response - do your parents do this too?

[–]malirose[S] 9 points10 points ago

OH GOD YES. although strangely enough deaf people have some of the lowest percentages for car accidents in the united states. They get good at what they need to do I suppose.

[–]sublimnl 1 point2 points ago

Wow - well pay extra attention for them even if it's one of their superhero powers :)

[–]nonnonsequitur 2 points3 points ago

One of my ASL professors was a CODA and he had a story about his dad driving one day, then all of a sudden he pulled over to the side of the road. My professor and his brother looked at each other and were like "WTF?" All of a sudden, an ambulance comes roaring up the road. His dad say the lights before he heard the sirens.

Also, did you and your sister fight over riding shotgun or over who got to sit in the back right seat? I've heard that seat is coveted because it's easier to talk to whoever is driving...you know, so you can ask them to stop at McDonald's or whatever. (The driver can see what you're signing through the rear view mirror.)

[–]malirose[S] 1 point2 points ago

Well, yeah we do fight for front seat, but nor because of ease to talk to my parents. Its just because I'm 6'3 and sitting in the back fucking sucks, and my sister likes to do her makeup in the front mirror.

[–]manmalade 5 points6 points ago

Do you guys have a pet?

[–]malirose[S] 11 points12 points ago

We have a dog named Molly, which is kind of a bitch, because my name is Mali (I had to figure out the pronunciation for myself when I got older) and when my parents call for her, I can't tell if their calling for me or not.

[–]manmalade 9 points10 points ago

heh heh. nice. So you both come running?

[–]malirose[S] 10 points11 points ago

Well, I usually give it a few seconds, and if they call again Ill come :p

[–][deleted] 23 points24 points ago

Do you get a treat? :)

[–]Cliza 4 points5 points ago

I'm glad to see more people showing up in the AMA posts to shed light on the Deaf community. I'm going to school to get my BA in English-ASL Interpreting, and there's a lot of ignorance about the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities, not to mention a lot of bigotry. Thanks for the post!

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points ago

What is the most absurd question you've gotten? One that just made you laugh and die inside at the same time.

Mine is "Can you speak Braille?"

[–]wisest_naive_person 5 points6 points ago

My friend's dad is also deaf and once I was in the car with my friend, my friend's older brother, the deaf dad, and me. My friend, his older brother, and I randomly got on the subject of pills and weed in the car while the dad was there. It felt so weird just speaking out loud about this type of thing around a parent, even though they were used to it. Do you have any similar stories?

[–]malirose[S] 3 points4 points ago

Nah, thats pretty much what i take for granted lol. I'm so used to say stuff like that, and my friends are by now too, that it doesn't even phase us.

[–]wisest_naive_person 5 points6 points ago

I feel like a dick saying that your parents being deaf is awesome but.......

[–]malirose[S] 8 points9 points ago

No its pretty fucking awesome

[–]ren-L 8 points9 points ago

Do you ever dream in sign language?

[–]dinolaser 8 points9 points ago

What does that even mean?

[–]GeorgeRomero 4 points5 points ago

⠺⠑⠞⠙⠗⠑⠁⠍⠎

[–]lolwithmee 10 points11 points ago

Why didn't I think of this? Beware: If you leave this IAmA alone, I'm gonna hijack it!

[–]malirose[S] 6 points7 points ago

Don't worry, I'm covering it now.

[–]berhnardhoffman 7 points8 points ago

Im trying not to hijack it right now. we should do a CODA subreddit.

[–]mikec4986 3 points4 points ago

Is it true that people who were born deaf, sign differently than people who learned sign language in mid-life? In other words can you tell if someone picked up sign language in mid-life versus a person who's been deaf all of his/her life?

[–]malirose[S] 3 points4 points ago

Well, my signing is sloppier than anyone who picked it up in a class, like for interpreting, just because I know how to speak it and not some much how the grammar works. My mother likes to bother me about it. But depending on how much work they've put into it, and what they're saying, a lot of times i can't tell at all.

[–]LifeIsTheFuture 2 points3 points ago

CODA!!!

That is all.

[–]PenguinsOrKittens 5 points6 points ago

I've always wondered if deaf people can enjoy music through vibrations. I know deaf musicians use the vibrations to know what to play. Can they?

[–]malirose[S] 11 points12 points ago

My dad is a huge fan of the eagles, the police and other old stuff like that. He just likes to play it REALLY loud. I don't lend him my headphones and such anymore cause he tends to blow them out.

[–]Pendit76 4 points5 points ago

How can he just only hear at super high amplitudes?

[–]malirose[S] 10 points11 points ago

I think its more of the louder the volume, generally the bass is louder as well. And my dad is actually hard of hearing, not completely deaf. But he never wears a hearing aid and never will because he grew up in a deaf family.

[–]EveryoneElseIsWrong 3 points4 points ago

so he has no interest in hearing?

[–]Jovitar 9 points10 points ago

Also, Deaf people, (notice the capital D), especially those that grew up in Deaf families, are really proud of their deafness, and they don't generally feel any remorse at the fact that they can't hear.

Usually the 'capital D' when referring to deaf people has to do with pride, while a lowercase D is simply medical. Ex: "That Deaf man over there grew up in a completely deaf family."

[–]Cliza 10 points11 points ago

You mean "Culturally Deaf" versus "medically deaf"

[–]Jovitar 2 points3 points ago

Yes, yes. Thank you. :]

[–]malirose[S] 5 points6 points ago

That is correct sir, and in the past, especially around Gallaudet, (A well known deaf college in DC) it actually used to be a source of prejudice amongst Deaf people. It was good to be big D and you weren't an important part of the deaf community if you were little d. Now people don't care as much around there.

[–]dinolaser 2 points3 points ago

Yes, deaf high school proms have dance floors with really loud music. Some kids like to hold balloons to help them feel the vibrations.

[–]pinappletim 4 points5 points ago

Luke?

[–]SuddenDeth 5 points6 points ago

I am your father?

[–]malirose[S] 3 points4 points ago

You could never be my father!

[–]SuddenDeth 9 points10 points ago

These are not the lukes am looking for .....

[–]malirose[S] 4 points5 points ago

Nope, sorry :p

[–]iqgoldmine 2 points3 points ago

Do your parents like to watch shows like pink panther?

[–]malirose[S] 5 points6 points ago

Well, my dad is a huge sports fan, and my mom likes foreign films mostly. She likes foreign films because EVERYONE has to watch with close captioning on those xD But as a kid my dad liked Tom and Jerry. At least thats what I recall him telling me in my youth

[–]dinolaser 4 points5 points ago

My deaf brother loves that cartoon for exactly the reason you might imagine.

[–]KnightFox 2 points3 points ago

How good are they at lip reading and what do they do for a living?

[–]malirose[S] 5 points6 points ago

My mother is quiet at lip reading, better than my dad. And they are both teachers at deaf schools.

[–]baconperogies 2 points3 points ago

Is being hard of hearing hereditary?

I've always wanted to learn how to sign just so I can talk with random strangers. Ever met any randoms because you can sign with them?

Do you speak or sign with your sister?

Thanks for doing this.

[–]malirose[S] 6 points7 points ago

Well, they're are actually number of hereditary genes that cause of deafness, my dad has one, while my mother had some in pregnancy thing that no one can figure out. One time, Me, my Coda friend, and my mom were ordering food at a food court in a mall, and one of the workers their signed to my mom because he had deaf parents too :D And I usually yell at my sister. Not much speaking or signing going on :p

[–]thecommexokid 2 points3 points ago

So does that make you a squib or a mudblood?

[–]bananas_are_cool 3 points4 points ago

So you're a coda, I think it's called, right? Awesome! I know there is a comedian out there who was also born hearing to two Deaf parents. My ASL teacher used to show us his videos all the time.

I've heard that there's a lot of unique inventions out there to aid Deaf people...like alarm clock belts and door-bell light alarms. Do your parents use anything like that, and are there any that are particularly odd and/or awesome?

[–]malirose[S] 3 points4 points ago

Well, my parents have their alarm clock linked to their light, so not only does it make obnoxious noise, it flashes a ton every morning! And because of some communication bill that passed awhile ago, every deaf household gets a free videophone for their tv, so my parents use that all the time. And link that comedian if you can, I think I may have heard of him.

[–]punchingbabies 2 points3 points ago

I took an ASL class a few years ago in college and my teacher told me about the alarm clock he uses to wake up. It's really loud and has a little thing that you put between your mattress that vibrates. I bought one and it has never failed to wake up me. lol

[–]malirose[S] 2 points3 points ago

Yeah, I have one of those lying around somewhere too now that I think of it. But my parents typically use that for more mobile stuff, like camping, sleeping in hotels, ect...

[–]hymenblaster69 2 points3 points ago

Is it nice being able to watch porn on full volume, knowing your parents won't know?

[–]BlackJacket86 0 points1 point ago

Are your parents at all concerned about the music you listen to?

[–]FullyerectFLACID 1 point2 points ago

you ever scream curse words at them when you are mad?

[–]malirose[S] 3 points4 points ago

Oh all the time. But what teen doesn't?

[–]baconperogies 27 points28 points ago

Asian ones.

Seriously. So much (dis)ownage.

[–]asharkey3 1 point2 points ago

I assume you learned sign language from an extremely young age. Did this make things weird when you were going to school, having to function between 2 languages so early?

Also, when your friends are over do they just kinda leave you guys to yourselves? Or do they kinda encourage your friends to learn some sign language so they can carry on a conversation with them too?

[–]r0ck-e 1 point2 points ago

I noticed you posted about RIT's interpreting program. I'm hard-of-hearing myself and go to RIT. I'm a cross registered student at NTID but just use them more for support than actual classes.

I know you're young and still have time to think about college, but have you thought about going to RIT?

[–]Talking_Hands 1 point2 points ago

Have you or your family learnt any international sign? And did your parents ever make you interpret anything that made you uncomfortable? I know people who have made their children interpret for them sometimes about non child friendly topics.

[–]malirose[S] 2 points3 points ago

Thats part of the reason why i dislike interpreters, especially on things that have to do about me. Because if IM interpreting, I can filter out stuff, or make things more clear in ways that an interpreter wouldn't. But other than that, my parents are pretty good on not making me interpret for them. I do have some friends though… they have parents who can be douche bags. Also, My parents learned foreign languages, but not the sign. Its actually really hard to find a Spanish Sign Language teacher.

[–]yngv1 2 points3 points ago

Oh, so the sign language isn't universal? I mean I know that there are the sign language alphabets and speaking with those would naturally mean speaking in one's first language, but what about the signs that convey a verb or such?

And - I'm sorry for the stupid question - what is close captioning? Is it like subtitles?

Your AMA is really interesting, thanks for making it! Sorry for my bad English. :p

[–]wheezerboy 0 points1 point ago

you mentioned RIT. Are you from Rochester?

[–]saviorknights 0 points1 point ago

Oh hey, I have a friend just like you and your sister. Her parents can sign in ASL and some Taiwanese sign language as well. Can you or your parents sign in different languages? Or if you know anything about signing in different languages, care to enlighten us? I've always been curious about it.

[–]malirose[S] 2 points3 points ago

Well, they learned spanish, but not signing spanish :( and id really like to learn how to sign in french, because i feel like interpreting for a french deaf person in america would make me like 250 an hour.

[–]Vitaebat 0 points1 point ago

I actually posted an IAmA recently, being a former Relay Operator I must know, do they use the IP/TTY relay service, or are they strictly VRS relay?

[–]spike0918 0 points1 point ago

I had a part in my psychology book saying basically some members of the deaf community dislike cochlear implants to deaf children because, according to them deafness isn't a disability but "vision enhancement". I find that kinda hard to believe, but do your parents or any other deaf parents from that camp you spoke of think this way?

[–]Guarstine -1 points0 points ago

What is your favorite kind of soda?

[–]AmiraMalicious 0 points1 point ago

what's the craziest thing you've ever gotten away with because your parents couldn't hear?

[–]flechesbleues 1 point2 points ago

Funny? Or offensive? I laughed. (don't know whether they do this in the US, but in the UK they repeat certain programmes during the night but add a sign language interpreter. They also do this for the news. So yeah, that's what the footage is from. Not the voice-over though, obviously!) If you like the sign language humour, here's some subtitle humour from the same man! Edit: OH, and another sign language one!

[–]Kohuded 0 points1 point ago

How would they react if the Civil defense siren went off?

[–]nonnonsequitur 0 points1 point ago

Thanks for the AMA! I studied ASL and try to present the Deaf culture viewpoint on reddit when something Deaf/ASL related pops up on reddit...hopefully this AMA helps people understand Deaf culture more.

One of my professors had to grunt in a low pitch and stomp to get his dad's attention. Do you use any similar techniques at home with your parents?

Also, do you find yourself acting as a liaison between your parents and the outside world for business transactions? Like at a mechanic's shop or bank?

Finally, have you encountered any instances of prejudice or caught anyone trying to take advantage of your parents?

Thanks again!

[–]wargqueen 0 points1 point ago

I mean, I assume that ASL was the first language you learned but how old were you when you said your first word?

[–]poopinlikeagypsy 0 points1 point ago

How do you feel about the show Switched at Birth (where like half the characters are deaf)?

[–]Vnoid 0 points1 point ago

You mention that half your family is deaf, so is it a genetic thing? Should you have kids, will they potentially be deaf?

[–]colormepie 0 points1 point ago

Do you ever worry that your kids will end up deaf? Or do you have enough experience that it won't really matter.

[–]DogDoors 1 point2 points ago

How did they know you were crying when you were a baby?

[–]thechilltime 0 points1 point ago

Are your parents really good at reading lips? Is it something you have also picked up on?

[–]Mama_Said 0 points1 point ago

Is there different degrees of deafness, like people who need prescription glasses would have a number associated with the level?

[–]Mustachio_Bandito 0 points1 point ago

How do they wake up on time in the morning? Do you need to go into their room and nudge them awake or is there a special alarm clock they use?

Edit: Accidentally some words.

[–]Hot_Cakes 0 points1 point ago

What kind of family activities can you do? I know me and my family go to the movies alot...

[–]MrsSalmalin 0 points1 point ago

How would your parents call you down for sinner? Or call your name when they want your attention and you can't see them?

[–]grace1129 0 points1 point ago

Do you use ASL with your parents, or maybe cued speech? I'm learning cued speech right now in order to transliterate for young deaf children in the classroom.

[–]shadoworc01 0 points1 point ago

Who's your favorite Beatle?

[–]Apellosine 1 point2 points ago

ave you ever met someone who signed a different version of sign language? I assume that ASL is short for American Sign Language but I know out here in Australia we call it Auslan and I've picked up a little of it from a friend who's mother is deaf. I'm just wondering if it's more like a dialect or if it's different enough that you couldn't or a native ASL signer couldn't understand it.

[–]AngryData 0 points1 point ago

Do your parents like music like Drum and Bass or Dubstep or other heavy bass music? If they haven't heard it you should have them try it with a good subwoofer or heavy headphones. I would think it would be the easiest for them appreciate due to having a lot more to it they can actually hear or feel.

[–]Junee28 1 point2 points ago

You have 16 hearings? Pretty cool :D

[–]sajichan 0 points1 point ago

Did you have to interpret for your parents when they to go to the bank or someplace new? Did you ever get tired of doing that for them?

[–]flyingfingers 0 points1 point ago

Coda here too! Much love to my Coda brothers and sisters! Im an only child and often wished I had siblings to share the responsiblity of interpeting for my parents with. Do you and your sister share or does it fall on one of you?

[–]Dmayrion 0 points1 point ago

My roommate isn't deaf, but both his parents are deaf. Is it bad that I find it hilarious that he's a jazz guitar major?

[–]Bloodwarrior99 0 points1 point ago

Wait, were you're parents born deaf? I thought in genetics you would be deaf too. Odd. Unless I am wrong. Am I?

[–]Driesens 0 points1 point ago

My roommate has two deaf parents, and he says a lot of the same stuff as others in this thread, how he grew up watching a lot of TV to learn English, but never really learned ASL. But he also says that his TV never had Closed-captioning, and just the other day wondered out loud why his mom would always sit down with him to watch movies/TV if there wasn't any captioning for her to read.

[–]Wolfgangamad 0 points1 point ago

When you are are home, do you just normally not talk? Also, do you speak with your sister, or are you only allowed to speak sign language at home?

[–]Dragonic2020 0 points1 point ago

How did your parents become deaf?

An accident or were they born with it?

[–]SigmarGathus 0 points1 point ago

Any online resources you would recommend for learning?

[–]destynovalovesflan 1 point2 points ago

Hi, I'm deaf and thinking of having children. Kudos on your wonderful attitude. Would you have any tips for a would-be deaf parent?

Also, this is kind of an awkward question, but what do deaf people sound like?

[–]PsychoKuros 0 points1 point ago

Have you ever signed "What, I didn't hear you?" just to get them to sign whatever they said over again?

[–]Thumbcrusher 0 points1 point ago

Do you know Tristan?? o.O

[–]Lexonir 0 points1 point ago

Did you ever fell like in this ad? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBobmn_u98w ;_;

[–]theyareAs 0 points1 point ago

I work at a relay call center for the deaf and hard of hearing as an operator. Have you or your parents ever used the service before and if so what do you think of it?

[–]bighelper 1 point2 points ago

First post on Reddit here- There's something I've been wondering for some time now.. Are there jokes in ASL that can't be translated to spoken English? I don't mean deaf jokes- I mean jokes that only make sense when they are told in sign.

If so, what components of the jokes make them funny? Are there puns in sign?

[–]chyeahbuddy 0 points1 point ago

What's your view on cochlear implants?

[–]ajjg123 0 points1 point ago

I'll be honest, the urge to curse at my parents when I was little kid would have been too easy if they were deaf.

[–]Sirius_Venus 0 points1 point ago

Fellow CODA here! Just wanted to say hi, haha. Do you feel that you're divided between the Deaf and hearing cultures? Sorry if this has already been asked. I would say I've felt that way my entire life.