New-York tribune., 1901-04-29
HELPS FOR THE DEAF.
SIMPLE RULES FOR THE SPEAKER
WHICH AID THOSE WITH DEFECT
I'VE EARS TO UNDERSTAND.
To the Editor of The Trihune.


| Sir: The circle of acquaintance of almost everv
person includes two people whose hearing .s
more less impaired, and for whom. by reason or
this fact. much OF the pleasure of social intercourse
| Is destroyed We would all be glad to do anything
in power to restore their pleasure and comfort
In friendly social intercourse, and there are lew
simple rules the observance of which would MAKE
such intercourse both easier and peasanter FOR all
concerned. Their adoption entails but little trouble
and the results very satisfactory.
I First-Have your face toward the light.
When we read a book wish the light to shine
upon it. and not in eyes. So the deaf observer
does wish look into the light, but wishes 1t TO
fall upon the speakers face. Therefore, wnen
speaking we should always look toward the light.
and in the evening should not stand directly be-
/ Meath chandelier that throws the mouth In
! deep shadow.
Second-Be your deaf friend is looking at you
before you begin to speak
Most people whose hearing has become impaired
have either been taught, by their own efforts
have learned 10 understand something of what Is
said by watching the speakers mouth. The eye
stands ready disabled ear, but, unlike the
ear which receives it's impressions from all direc
tons without preparation. the must first be di-
rected to the spot from which the impressions are
TO come We should. therefore, be that We
have our deaf friends attention before begin TO
speak
Third-Be sure that your friend knows the subject
the
There are many words that look alike when
]
whose appearance is the will fit equally well
in the sentence. Therefore knowledge OF the con-
text OF the greatest assistance to the observer II
listener knows the subject talking about.
It is much easie- follow what saying.
When change the topic We must take a little
pains that friend knows what the new
subject is before we go with long statements or
questions. Otherwise will discover that the trail
lost early. and will have to retrace our steps
and go the ground again.
md here ~ well deaf
friends against the evils OF ''bluflng that is of
pretending to understand when they do not. 1t is a
simple matter for them to so word their reply or
comment to suggest the idea they have received
II It happens to be the wrong idea. it then be
corrected at once. before it leads TO further and
often S 1t is - Just sdms s
and f the ivaon e was y9 for r2esday
E9grthrkeep - your head @ st while talking z: o
ing we will understand the reason for this rule The
listener IS watching lips and II the head is kept
! ought not TO our heads unnecessarily. and II
we are sitting in rocking chair we should not rock
! Fifth-Do not mouth your words. but speak natur-
/ ally, though deliberately.
men, he learns. that some one IS trying 10 under
! exaegerate those movements in kindly effort TO
aid tho listener But this exaggeratton defeats It's
! the deaf person TO recognize the words with which
he is familiar when spoken naturally 1t is well 10
speak rather deliberately, but be sure TO speak In
an ordinary manner.
| greatly TO make a person easy to understand, but
/ where this IS lacking. much study and persistent
effort are necessary to acquire It. IT. however; We
| are careful to complete all the is and p's, hold
steady the bis. d's and g's to say respects, and
| not respeks," friends" and not 'frens." land.
| instead of an shall make good beginning in
! picking up the ravelled ends Of our speech.
/ let break ourselves of the pernicouS habit
/ of screaming If but knew 1t. a more forcible
! speech would serve purpose much better than
! raising the pitch.
| Sixth-It a sentence is not understood after one
repetition. change the wording.
/ When our friend fails understand sentence. it
! may have been because the eye did catch the
movements. Therefore it Is best tG repeat H. word
for word. without change. If then it is not under
| stood it is quite possible that the key word is a
! hard one for the eye. and change of the wording
! of the sentence on the third trial is advisable.
| II we will but act upon these suggestions sha II
enable our deaf friends to what skill they al
! ready have in speech reading and aid them in be-
coming more proficient, and they will up and
/ call blessed. JOHN ID. WRIGHT.
| New York April %, 1901.