QUESTION:
A student asks: "What happens if a person is not deaf -- they're just mute? Is
it wrong to "talk" in verbal conversation while they sign back, or should I sign
to them as well?"
RESPONSE:
Let us approach the
topic of how to communicate with a person who is mute (and knows sign language)
from the perspective that "mute" people are not homogeneous. Which is to say --
individuals who are mute are not all the same. A person who is mute may not be
a "balanced bilingual" (equally skilled in both languages).
An individual may sign out of necessity or convenience but prefer voiced
replies. A different individual may prefer for the whole conversation to be
signed. The (non-mute) conversation partner may have better receptive skills
(ability to understand the signing of others) than expressive signing skills.
The (so called) right approach to communicating with a person who is mute is
therefore to first seek to understand that individual's communication preference
by asking them directly.
If you are new to that person's social circle and have the opportunity it would
be good to note how friends of the individual go about communicating. If close
friends choose to sign without voicing then you may wish to initially sign
something to the effect of, "Do you prefer that I sign, voice, or both?" (For
example: "YOU PREFER ME SIGN, VOICE, OR BOTH?")
If the individual replies that it "doesn't matter" -- it would seem respectful
to adopt (if you are skilled enough so as to be able to do so effectively) the
mode or approach to communication used by the individual's friends since they
are likely (or at least more likely than you) to be aware of how their friend
prefers to communicate.
Notes: