Question:
If I wanted to tell someone about a "Dumpster" problem at work should I just
sign "trash" and use a classifier to draw an outline of a large Dumpster and
point to the back of the building? I can't find a sign for dumpster. Should I
just fingerspell it? This is a real life situation. The garbage truck
moved the dumpster and it now blocks part of the door to go outside. The driver
wears a hearing aid and I've seen him sign before. The next time they come again
I want to give a hint to him.
Response:
The best way to sign something typically depends on context or the situation. If
you are signing in person with someone and a dumpster is physically present you
can simply point at the dumpster to refer to it. If you want to discuss a
dumpster behind the building you could sign GARBAGE large-BOX in-the-BACK?
PREVENT DOOR. (Note: The word "large" in large-BOX is lowercase because it
is not a separate sign but rather you do the sign BOX in a way that shows the
box is large.)
If you were in a typical public classroom situation in an English speaking
country you may need to ensure that the actual word "dumpster" is mapped to the
concept of a "large box for garbage." In such a situation on first
reference (the first time you start talking about a dumpster in that
conversation) you should fingerspell "DUMPSTER" and then large-BOX GARBAGE
THROW-into THAT! (and maybe even spell DUMPSTER one more time for emphasis --
depending on how important it is that the person knows how to spell the word --
for example, perhaps later on a written test).
Something to consider also is the fact that a sanitation worker (or what was
formerly called a "garbage man") whether Deaf or Hearing is very familiar with
the word "dumpster" and how it looks on the lips. If you were to mouth to
even a "non-deaf" sanitation worker the phrase "The dumpster is full!" --
chances are he / she / they would understand you just fine by reading your lips.
Garbage trucks are noisy so even sanitation workers who can hear have had plenty
of practice reading lips. The point here is that if you do sign "GARBAGE
large-BOX" -- you may wish to mouth the word "dumpster" (but should not mouth
"garbage large box."
Similarly, if you mean "block" and you sign PREVENT -- if you optionally choose
to mouth something you should go ahead and mouth "block."
Notes, references, and/or samples:
GARBAGE
BOX
DOOR
PREVENT
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