Welcome to Litsy!

Three essays by Oliver Sacks on Sign. One is based on an extended review, the second is a longer reflection on Sign and what it can tell us about language, and the third about the student rebellion at Gallaudet University demanding a Deaf university president.

Lots of interesting rabbit holes. A pity he is no longer with us to give us an update.

Interesting. I did not know this. I wonder if it is still true (the book is dated 1990) and what happens in other parts of the world?

It was ok. The book itself – some parts were interesting, particularly the culture/university section, but I found other parts quite dry (the middle section). The book is short; almost half of it is Notes.

Just finished this simply brilliant examination of Deaf Culture and the evolution of the beautiful language is sign. Sacks is an astounding ethnographer of the world of medical science and he doesn‘t disappoint in this book. #TIL That the linguistic use of the face in signers has a different neural basis than that of people who use verbal language. #NFNov.

Oliver Sacks talks (on page 152) about how the deaf students at Gallaudet during the revolt of 1988 used technology. This note only aggravated my general sense that this book was dated and even somewhat irrelevant today. If only someone could manage a second edition, 30 years later.

Reading for my new class which starts tomorrow. Only about 30 pgs in and interesting so far!

I found Part 1 very interesting, Part 2 less so. I didn't get around to reading Part 3. Nevertheless, I have added a couple of books about deafness to my TBR thanks to this book, so I am glad to have picked it up.

A literal illustration of the expression "from soup to nuts" ?

We speak not only to tell other people what we think, but to tell ourselves what we think. Speech is a part of thought.

For my #nonfictionlove spot I want to give a shout out to one of the masters, the late Dr. Oliver Sacks.

At least once a month I find myself referring back to one of his anecdotes which humanized people even as he diagnosed and treated them.

#somethingforsept #septphotochallenge