The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-04-20
Ears Have They, but Hear Not.

Ears Have They, but Hear Not.
1t is a curious fact that many people
are conversant with the double-hand
alphabet of the deaf and dumb, while
only small portion know the single.
hand, which is the one used exclusively
by mutes in America, and is much the
easier one to learn. The sign-language,
which is universally employed by the
mutes throughout the world-over 80, OOC
of them in the United States-and is
their sole means of communication with
each other. is regarded by the public as
a curiosity, and such indeed it is. Sc
rapidly do mutes express themselves in
signs that shorthand reporting could
barely keeppace with them. This silent
language Omits many words that hear
ing people are forced to use in their
speech. The public is not generally
aware that this way of talking by signs
bears more or less relation to nature
!. e., there are many animals and objects
that have signs in conformity with their
nature and manner of construction. This
will readily be perceived when one makes
the sign for the following:
C0W-Close both hands, leaving the
thumb and little finger of both sticking
up; put the point OF left thumb little
above left eyebrow, and the point of right
thumb above right eyebrow, in imitation
of cows horns. The sign for milk is
to initiate the way one milks cow with
both hands.
Knye-Use first finger of left hand for
piece of wood, and the first finger OF
right hand for a knife, keeping your
thumbs and other fingers closed; white
as you would with knife.
Elephant-With the back of your right
hand in front of your mouth, outstretch
your right arm, and initiate the manner
in which an elephant receives bits of food
with his trunk.
BOok-Straighten the fingers and
thumb of both hands, pressing the fingers
of right hand together and those of left
hand together; allow the lower edges of
your hands to meet as though hinged
together, then open and shut as book.
Male-Use your hands for ears, placing
the back of right wrist little to the right
of right eyebrow; do same with left wrist
at left eyebrow; incline your hands
81: .ptly forward and backward, after the
way a mule moves its ears. A horse
having smaller ears than mule, the
sign therefor is to use first and second
fingers for ears.
Bor-With both hands simultaneously
cut first perpendicular and then hori-
zontal line in the air in front of you,
after the shape of a small box-horizon:
tally, with back ofleft hand facing palm
of right.
Monkey-Make hunchback of your
self and press your tongue against inside
of lower lip, creating lump, after the
fashion of monkeys face; while thus
nkey-looking, scratch your left side
with left hand and right side with right
hand.
People will probably be still further
astonished when they are informed that
the wonder does not end here, for press.
ing point of forefnger against fore
head denotes think; biting tip of fore
finger, accompanied by sad facial ex-
preston, jealous; striking forehead with
the front side of fist, stupid; rubbing
palm of right hand around the heart,
like; crossing your hands, with palm of
right hand against heart and left hand
resting on right and pressing, love; join
ing the hands after the manner of a
bride and groom when being married.
marry; and SO on.
As regards their intellectual capabili-
ties, necessarily but small ratio of this
class of people acquire the facility of
ready command of language. The
fortunate few that glory over their
literary achievements are conceded to be
writers of acknowledged merit, and
nearly all such are what are known as
semi-mutes. A native Frenchman or
German cannot thoroughly master the
English language because it is foreign
to him. A great many Americans with
out drop Of English blood are faulty
in their use of the English language.
Now, the nfute's natural language is
signs, and how unreasonable, therefore,
to expect them to become expert writers
these people who know not what
language is, having heard no sound?
A number of mutes are to-day occupy
ing positions of honor and responsibility,
while there is hardly trade but what is
represented by a mute. Of group of
one hundred mutes, it is safe to say not
less than eighty-five are congenitals-
1. e., born deaf and dumb. or became
so at an early age. Where the child
could already articulate, its deafness
need not necessarily be the cause of its
dumbness also. An educated mute can
fill any position where the sense of hear
ing is not necessary requisite, and his
deafness is absolutely no bar to success.
-C.icago Inter Ocean.