手語Sign Language
打破溝通藩籬的重要方式 An important way to break down communication barriers
「溝通」是我們人類與生俱來的能力之一。
我們都有一個基本需求,就是與他人交流自己的想法。
我們也都想要理解別人對我們說的話。
大多時候,人們運用口語對話溝通。
但是,對聽障人士而言,溝通反倒成了特殊的考驗。
由於多數聽障人士並無法輕易使用口語,因此得轉而使用一種視覺交流方式一一手語。
不同於一般大眾的想法,手語並非一種普世通用的語言；不同國家的聽障人士「講」的手語,其實並不一樣。
美國手語ASL是美國聽障人士偏好的溝通方式；其文法及語序與標準英語大不相同。
有些美國大學基至將ASL當作一門外語來教導。
其他形式的手語則試圖更精確地表述英語。
它們使用英語語序,並用手勢將語句中的每一個單詞比劃出來。
這些手語系統都有一個共通處,就是「手語拼寫法」。
每一個英文字母都有其専門的對應手勢。
Communication is part of what makes us human. We all have a basic need to communicate our ideas to others. We also want to comprehend what others are trying to say to us. Most of the time, people use a spoken language to communicate. But for deaf people, communication presents special challenges. Since most deaf people cannot easily use a spoken language, they use a visual form of communication – sign language. Contrary to popular belief, sign language is not a universal language. Deaf people in different countries "speak" different sign languages.
American Sign Language (ASL) is the preferred form of sign language among deaf people in the U.S. It has a grammar and word order that are very different from Standard English. Some American universities even teach ASL as a foreign language. Other forms of sign language try to represent English more precisely. They use English word order and sign every word in the sentence. One thing these systems have in common is "fingerspelling." Every letter in English has its own unique sign.
barrier 障礙；隔閡
Cultural barriers often prevent people from becoming comfortable when they move to a new country.
It’s not easy to travel or live in a foreign country because of language barriers.
The Ural Mountains form a natural barrier between Asia and Europe. 天然屏障
visual （adj.）視覺上的
The speaker’s visual aids were very informative and helpful.
Our eyes are our visual organ. 視覺器官
The Avengers movies all have spectacular visual effects. 精彩的視覺效果
communication is key
what makes us human
communication is one of those gifts that God has given us as well. Communication is part of what makes us human.
Well, it depends on who is asking and... I guess what topic you're talking about because someone might have a different answer to what makes us human.
So somebody might talk about how humans are different from animals, and then go into the details about what makes people and different.
For me, when I think about humans and this phrase "what makes us human," I think of making mistakes or errors because they also say "to err is human."
Oh, that's a good point.
You know, when I think of the phrase "what makes us human," I think of the fact that humans have been made in the image of God.
we are made in the image of God
comprehend vs. understand
contrary to popular belief, ＋（fact）
Teatime in England was just a time to have some tea in the afternoon. But contrary to popular belief, it’s actually more like a full-blown meal. You’re going to be stuffed after this teatime.
universal language
that just means on this Earth of the language that we know, sign language isn’t the same everywhere
miscommunication
A miscommunication is when there's a breakdown of communication between two people.
That means one thing was meant to be communicated, but the other person took it as something completely different.
somebody is only human 只是人、不是神，都有出錯的時候
someone should not be blamed for what they have done
Teachers are only human, and they make mistake, too.
Sorry, I’m only human, you know.
It shows that all people are weak at times, and we make mistakes, we are not perfect.
Now the phrase is also often used as an excuse.
You can say, "I'm sorry I forgot to give you the money. I totally forgot. I'm only human."
You are right.
Now you just don't want to use this phrase as an excuse too often.
Now the phrase is also often used as an excuse.
Sometimes it can sound negative or like you are not even trying.
grammar 語法；文法
Arabic is considered to have some of the most complicated grammar in the world.
Henry went to grammar school in a small town in the country.
There is a huge language debate about whether correct grammar or the ability to communicate is most important.
precisely （adv.） 確切地；精確地
On the first day of school, the professor told her students that class would start precisely at 8 a m.
Unable to express herself precisely in English, Monique didn't get the job and returned to France. 精確地使用英文
The organizers sat down to figure out precisely how much the trip to Africa was going to cost everyone. 精準地計算要花多少錢
among vs. between
fingerspelling
It’s important to have meaningful conversations. We should let each other know how we think and how we feel. We should communicate. We should share our feelings. talk about all kinds of things. That’s communication.
rebus puzzles
rebus畫謎是以圖畫來表示部分音節或字面意思的猜謎遊戲。神智體是指用特殊的字型寫法、結構來表達出詩句字面的詩。
riddle謎語
Jobinjob
If someone is in between jobs, that means they left one job and they haven’t found the next job yet.
forgive and forget既往不咎；不念舊惡
