When you decide to "study sign language!" and open a dictionary, it can be quite difficult to imagine the hand movements and expressions.
At such times, there is a chance to see "living sign language" at home. That is the program "Minna no Shuwa," which is broadcast on NHK E-Tele every Friday at 2:35 PM.
The program is produced with the aim of facilitating communication between people with hearing disabilities and hearing individuals, introducing basic daily sign language conversations in an easy-to-understand manner using video. It includes audio and subtitles along with sign language expressions, making it a useful learning material for those studying sign language.
Akira Morita, who appears on "Minna no Shuwa" and is considered a bible for those learning sign language, will be giving a lecture in Kurashiki, so I spoke with the organizing committee.
What is the 40th Anniversary Lecture of the Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council?
The 40th Anniversary Lecture of the Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza located in Sasao, Kurashiki City.
The lecturer will be Akira Morita, an instructor from NHK E-Tele's Minna no Shuwa. The topic will be "Working with Sign Language in the Majority," and the lecture will be conducted in sign language. Of course, there will also be interpretation for participants who cannot read sign language, so everyone, regardless of hearing ability, can understand the lecture content.
Interpretation: Interpreting words expressed in sign language into spoken language for hearing individuals
The flyer states that the application deadline is July 25 (Thursday), but on-the-day registration is also possible.
What is the Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council?
The Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council (hereinafter referred to as "Shisaren") is a gathering of sign language circles active in Kurashiki City.
Currently, the following six organizations are members:
- Kusanokai Sign Language Circle
- Kura Sign Language Circle
- Kojima Sign Language Circle
- Tamashima Sign Language Circle
- Nishi-Achi Sign Language Circle
- Funao Sign Language Circle Muscat
Recently, due to the influence of television dramas, sign language has been appearing more frequently, and it seems that the number of members in the sign language circles belonging to Shisaren is increasing year by year.
Shisaren exchanges information related to sign language while working hand in hand with organizations of people with hearing disabilities, and regularly holds events using sign language.
The mere presence of the same language, "sign language," fosters a sense of camaraderie, and members from different circles are said to interact amicably.
Interview with the Organizing Committee
I spoke with committee members Sachiko Ishibashi and Haruka Sakamoto about the 40th Anniversary Lecture of the Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council.
Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of Shisaren. Could you tell us how the decision to invite Akira Morita for the lecture came about?
Ishibashi (no honorifics)
Thank you very much.
We have invited Morita to study sessions of the member organizations of Shisaren in the past. The sign language and the real voices of people with hearing disabilities (hereinafter referred to as "deaf people") that Morita shared during those sessions were very educational, and above all, the time spent in the study sessions was enjoyable.
It felt too good to keep such discussions within just one circle, so we wanted to share it with our Shisaren friends. This timing coincided with the 40th anniversary of Shisaren, leading to the decision to hold a large lecture in a spacious venue.
What kind of topics can we expect to hear from Morita?
Ishibashi
Morita is deaf, but he works alongside hearing individuals on NHK E-Tele's "Minna no Shuwa." I hope he will talk about what he feels when working with the majority of hearing individuals in society and what kind of efforts he makes.
Additionally, since Morita is a speaker of Japanese Sign Language, which has its own grammar rather than being a sign language corresponding to Japanese, he is also expected to touch on the charm of Japanese Sign Language. I am looking forward to learning about unique expressions of Japanese Sign Language, such as sign language poetry and reading picture books, directly from him.
Sakamoto (no honorifics)
Initially, I intended to request a lecture on the expression methods of Japanese Sign Language. However, since this is the 40th anniversary lecture of Shisaren, I wanted to encourage beginners to attend as well. Therefore, we decided to have Morita give a lecture that is easy to understand for beginners, discussing workplace experiences and the differences between sign language corresponding to Japanese and Japanese Sign Language.
Since Morita is also a school teacher, I believe he will provide a clear and understandable talk.
What kind of participants would you like to see at the lecture?
Ishibashi
I would like to see not only long-time sign language learners and deaf individuals from Kurashiki City but also beginners and those who have never studied sign language to gather.
Morita is a well-known figure appearing on NHK E-Tele's "Minna no Shuwa," so I hope people will come with a casual mindset like "I want to meet Morita!"
I would be delighted if such individuals become interested in sign language after watching Morita's sign language and listening to the interpretation.
What do you hope participants will feel through the lecture?
Ishibashi
I believe the venue will be filled with sign language on the day.
This will be an opportunity for people who usually live as the majority in a sound-filled environment to experience a venue where sign language is the majority. I hope they will spend time at the venue imagining how deaf individuals feel and what kind of culture they live in, and reflect on various thoughts after attending Morita's lecture.
Moreover, I hope that through this lecture, even one more person becomes interested in sign language and that the number of Shisaren friends increases.
Sakamoto
When we live as the majority, I think there are rarely opportunities to hear the voices of minorities like deaf individuals. Even for us who are interested in sign language and are active, it is often difficult to hear such genuine feelings.
Since there are not many chances to encounter real sign language while living in Kurashiki, I would like everyone to experience an environment filled with sign language.
Please give a message to the readers.
Ishibashi
This lecture is recommended not only for those currently studying sign language but also for those who are interested in sign language but do not know where to start. It is a chance to meet not only Morita but also people in Kurashiki who use sign language. Please feel free to come.
Sakamoto
I encourage everyone to interact with various people, regardless of whether they are hearing or deaf. For those who want to interact with deaf individuals, sign language learners nearby will interpret for you.
The application deadline is July 25 (Thursday), but walk-ins on the day are also very welcome. We look forward to seeing you at the venue.
Conclusion
The two individuals I interviewed were very close and expressed that "the activities of Shisaren are truly enjoyable," which left a strong impression on me. I thought it was wonderful to see them working daily to realize a large lecture together, sharing the same hobby.
As someone who works among hearing individuals, I am very curious about how individuals with hearing disabilities work, as I communicate through writing and lip-reading (a method of understanding what someone is saying by reading the shape of their mouth).
On the morning of August 4 (Sunday), which falls in the middle of summer vacation, why not wake up a little early and experience the "world of minorities" that is not often encountered at the Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza?
Data on the 40th Anniversary Lecture of the Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council
| Name | 40th Anniversary Lecture of the Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, August 4, 2024 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Registration: 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM) |
| Location | 180 Sasao, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free for members of the Kurashiki City Sign Language Circle Liaison Council and family members under 18 500 yen for non-members |
