New-York tribune., 1901-05-06
MORE HELPS FOR THE DEAF
ADVICE TO THEM BY A TEACHER OF
SPEECH READING
To The Editor OF The tribune

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: As one who Is deaf myself and also a
teacher OF speech reading TO the adult deaf read
with much interest and pleasure the letter from
John D. Wright in your issue OF the 2sth inst II
has prompted me TO write and give few sugges-
tons 10 those who are deaf. Those who have ever
taken lessons IN speech reading viii be already
aware OF how 10 benefit themselves as much as
possible in conversation with others ! write this
especially for those who have never had the benefit
OF systematic instruction but have picked up more
or less ability in speech reading by themselves
First-Be masterful. BY that 7 mean control the
situation yourself as far possible Lead the
conversation II you can. You VIII then know the
subject, and il VIII be many times easier for you
understand. Take a position with reference 10
those with whom you converse that viii require
them to turn their faces toward the light. little
strategy Is often necessary and II Is worth while
Second-Be attentive. I know all too well my
self how easy and natural IL is for deaf person
10 let the attention wander. And yet inattention
IS fatal. We must watch the mouth and be quick
10 take the hint from one two key words, out OF
them constructing the sentence Often you VIII
not know word thar is said until the sentence is
almost completed; then you Will catch word
and the whole Will flash over you like light. But
close attention is necessary throughout the SEN
tence. When you are conversing with two or more
people at a time. at table be quick to turn
from one 10 the other as the conversation turns
II you lose the first half of the it is just
SO much the harder 10 pick up the thread. In
this connection Il may be said that speech reading
IS something more than mere lip reading. The lips.
teeth, tongue. cheeks and all help TO tell the
story. But the mouth is the important thing. and
here attention should be concentrated.
Thrd-'Keep cool" Your own mood and state
of mind infectious. II you are nervous and
hdgety" the chances are that you will make your
friend Speak slowly. enunciate distinctly and
IN nine times out of ten you VIII find your friend
viii follow suit The less you have to distract
your attention the more successfully will you
Understand.
Fourth-Be honest As Nj Wright saws Don't
hu1" II is no crime 10 be deaf. and II you do not
understand something you ought TO do not be
afraid 10 acknowledge it, Ask people TO speak
more slowly and distinctly II you cannot make
them DO II by force OF example. have yet to
courteously This is not meant imply that il IS
necessary for you 10 understand every word
spoken; in general conversation there IS always
much that be skipped without detriment TO
the thought AS copy" for a paper II would have
Fifth-Practise all you can. Practice makes per
feet. Let no opportunity slip for observing the
faces of others. Watch them whether you under
stand what is being said or not Try also oo-
serving own face in the mirror A little prac-
uce Of this kind every day Will prove very helpful
Speak 10 yourself thus not too slowly and observe
your own facial expressions attentively-
II this 10 the attention OF any who are
deaf ana are not in the habit of watching the
only say. start once 20 do So and 90 so always.
You VII be surprised how much IL viii help you.
Hearing Z little and seeing al the same time. and
observing closely. soon your friends VIII begin to
EDWARD 3, NITCHIE.
New-York April 80 1901.