Organisation of Conferences and Seminars

Hong Kong Book Fair 2011 Seminar – ‘The Linguistics Properties of Sign Languages’

Date: 24/07/2011

The Chinese University Press invited Professors Gladys Tang and Felix Sze to give a talk entitled ‘the Linguistic Properties of Sign Languages’ at the Hong Kong Book Fair on 24 July 2011. The talk aimed at clearing up some common misconceptions about sign languages and deaf people, such as whether each sign language has its own grammar, whether all deaf people around the world use the same sign language, and whether deaf children will still be able to learn how to speak if they learn sign language.

There were approximately 60 attendees, both hearing and deaf. During the question-and-answer session, some hearing participants asked questions about sign languages and deaf awareness, and deaf participants also shared their own life experiences, such as the obstacles they faced school and finding jobs. Hearing parents of deaf children also shared some experiences and difficulties that they faced in raising their children.