It’s occurred to me lately, how easily our communications go awry. I laughed just last week until tears came to my eyes at a particularly striking example of miscommunication that occurred between two coworkers in front of me (let me attest that the generation gap is alive and well, and highly entertaining at times!). As I’ve pondered this reality, one thing has dawned on me that really never had before:
Sign Language is about as pure a communication form as there is.
In my youth, I learned enough American Sign Language (ASL) to provide limited interpreting services to a small group of deaf members of my congregation. I took to it quickly, loving the new skills and challenges. Sometimes, even still, I find myself signing as I’m thinking through something to better process it.
And that’s what prompted the light bulb moment for me: with all the love of language I possess, the dedication to nuanced communication and the art of the ‘unsaid’ … it was all just smoke and mirrors, detracting from the essence of the message. Stating the intent clearly and without confusion is the #1 priority of sign language – if you don’t like something, you don’t mask it with words like ‘interesting’ or even general amorphous sounds like ‘Oh, I see.’ Instead, dislike is conveyed strongly, with clear facial and physical cues – literally throwing something from you in disgust.
It’s like the pure communication of children, and I love it. I wish we all could be so clear … imagine the small hurts but big healing we would gain as a society. We may be bruised a bit by things we assumed we shared and actually don’t, but what glory there is in seeing someone whole and complete as themselves.
That’s a beautiful vision, don’t you think?
Overly Honest 