Provocações | Sueli Ramalho | 2012

Summary

In this compelling conversation, Sueli Ramalho, a deaf actress, writer, and professor, reflects on her life experiences and the unique perspectives of the deaf community. Born into a family of deaf individuals, Sueli shares her journey of learning to communicate in sign language, navigating the challenges of living in a hearing world, and understanding abstract concepts without the use of sound. She discusses the importance of visual language, the cultural significance of sign language, and how the deaf community adapts to societal norms. Through personal anecdotes and insights, Sueli explores themes of identity, inclusion, and perception.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sueli Ramalho Segala is a deaf woman who was born into a deaf family and only learned to speak at the age of 17, mastering 26 languages.
• 😀 Sueli reflects on her early misunderstanding of the function of ears, thinking they were only for hanging earrings or for men to accompany women.
• 😀 She learned Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) as her first language, seeing it as a natural part of her family life, and felt responsible for teaching others to communicate using sign language.
• 😀 Sueli describes the distinct worldview of deaf individuals, where everything needs to be concrete for comprehension, using visual resources instead of auditory ones.
• 😀 Surds face challenges in understanding abstract concepts, such as 'freedom' and 'God', which are often explained through concrete analogies.
• 😀 Sueli shares her personal discovery of sound and vibration, specifically that male and female voices differ in terms of vibration, but sound perception remains limited for her.
• 😀 Libras is a visual language with its own grammar and structure, which differs from oral languages. For example, the sentence 'the cat ate the rat' is structured differently in Libras.
• 😀 Sueli discusses the history of Libras, explaining how it evolved from being referred to as 'mime' or 'language of the mute' to its current formal recognition as Brazilian Sign Language.
• 😀 Despite not being able to hear, Sueli shares her experience of exploring new languages and how she strives to communicate with those who speak other languages.
• 😀 Sueli emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and challenges misconceptions about deaf culture, explaining how deaf individuals are often more isolated due to the lack of societal understanding.
• 😀 Sueli speaks about her personal experiences with her family, children, and relationships, highlighting both the challenges and strengths of growing up in a deaf family.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in this conversation?

The conversation primarily discusses the experiences of Sueli Ramalho, a deaf woman who is a teacher, writer, actress, and scholar. She reflects on her life as a deaf individual, the challenges she has faced, her cultural identity, and the role of Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) in her life.

What does Sueli Ramalho think about the role of ears in human life?

As a child, Sueli did not see any particular function for ears beyond being decorative, with her family telling her they were for wearing jewelry or for men to display chivalry. This reflects her early detachment from hearing as a sense and the perception of ears being unnecessary for communication within her community.

How did Sueli Ramalho learn to speak and understand language?

Sueli learned to speak at the age of 17. She was born into a family of over 30 deaf individuals, and communication in her family was conducted through Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). Her understanding of language came from this community environment, where she became proficient in using gestures for communication.

How does Sueli describe the way deaf people perceive abstract concepts?

Sueli explains that deaf individuals rely heavily on concrete and visual representations of concepts. For example, when learning abstract ideas like 'freedom' or 'God,' these concepts are often explained through analogies or physical demonstrations, as they are difficult to grasp without a visual or tangible context.

What is the difference between the structure of Brazilian Sign Language and spoken languages?

In Brazilian Sign Language, the structure differs from spoken Portuguese in that it focuses on visual and physical elements rather than auditory components. For example, in spoken Portuguese, the subject and verb must be conjugated, but in Libras, the focus is on visualizing the object and the action first, creating a more direct and concrete representation of sentences.

Why does Sueli Ramalho emphasize the importance of visual learning for the deaf community?

Sueli highlights that deaf individuals are visual learners because they do not rely on auditory cues. This visual focus affects how they understand the world, with sight being the primary sense used to interpret concepts and actions, which is a fundamental aspect of their cognitive processes.

How does Sueli explain the challenges of understanding abstract concepts like 'God' and 'liberty'?

For deaf people, abstract concepts like 'God' or 'liberty' must be explained through concrete examples or analogies. For example, 'liberty' might be demonstrated by breaking free from restraints, making it more understandable in a tangible way, as abstract ideas without visual context can be difficult to grasp.

What challenges do deaf individuals face in social interactions, according to Sueli?

Sueli explains that deaf individuals often face social isolation or misunderstanding due to their communication style. People who can hear tend to be more intolerant of deaf people than those who are blind, especially in situations where the deaf person needs to communicate using sign language or gestures.

How did Sueli's family react when her child was born hearing?

Sueli shares that when her child was born hearing, her family felt a sense of sadness and confusion. They had to adapt to the new situation as they were used to living within a deaf community, and her child’s hearing was seen as a deviation from their normal environment.

What does Sueli think about the use of sound in social and personal contexts?

Sueli remarks that for deaf individuals, sound has no significance as it cannot be perceived. This becomes particularly relevant in personal and social contexts, where hearing people may expect reactions to sounds, but deaf individuals can only engage through visual or tactile means. For example, she describes how she perceives sounds through vibrations rather than auditory processing.