Deaf Person in a Hearing Family Part 3 - 5 Ways To Include Deaf People During The Holidays

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Watch Part 2 of this video: • Deaf Person in a Heari...
Welcome any new viewers and hello to all our friends who have been with us! Ryan and I are a Deaf and hearing couple. We met in high school around 8 years ago. We've created this channel to show the world how great Deaf and Hearing relationships can be, and to teach you Sign Language naturally! Subscribe to watch our vlogs!
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Music:
-- by Joakim Karud "Dream"

[@rmirmn1777]

Seeing the honest emotion on Ellen’s face when Ryan was saying he feels apart of her family was oof 😣❤️

[@BetsiBetsy]

I am a high school teacher and started incorporating ASL as I lecture despite not having any deaf students and despite only knowing basic signs. Now, there are three students of mine who have started learning ASL and we sign to one another when as we speak. They wish ASL was offered as a language instead of only having Spanish as an option especially beside they already know Spanish. One of my students is so genuinely desiring to become fluent that she’s downloaded and ASL app and practices ASL right before bed as a nightly routine. I’ll definitely recommend them your channel once school starts again. Watching you all sign words I’m familiar with is massively helpful on so many levels and it’s incredibly helpful that you all communicate about topics such as the ones mentioned in this video so openly. Thank you for educating me beyond ASL, but also helping me understand struggles that I would not know about had you all not spoken so candidly about them. Super valuable. Thank you, again. Oh and I also show the 100 Basic Signs ASL video by Bill Vicars on testing days since no talking is allowed until every test is turned in. The video allows students who finish early the opportunity to learn signs as they wait for others to finish.

[@andieines6368]

Betsaida Zacarias-Hernandez I wish I had a teacher like this...or even a class to learn ASL

[@HannahHudge]

I so badly wish ASL was offered in more high schools! I would've taken ASL hands down over French if I had had that option. The reasoning is they want you to take a foreign language, and different languages have different sign to go with them. But I feel learning any language is valuable for a student who cares if it's foreign. I'd be more likely to use ASL in my life time than French. That's so amazing that you're doing that for your students, the world needs good teachers like you who want to better their students outside of the curriculum!!

[@notyouraveragevegan2677]

Betsaida Zacarias-Hernandez can’t tell you how many times as a working adult I would of benefited from having ASL knowledge and skills. I’ve been very disappointed in my high school and college experiences forcing and counting other languages (German/Italian were what I took) to meet my language requirements. I’ve never once benefited from those. So nice to hear you’re bringing this to your students! They will no doubt benefit from it!

[@SilverFlame819]

Bill's website is where I've been learning. I dig him, he's so fun and informative! :)

[@My-Channel_forever]

You sound like an amazing teacher. Showing the ASL video to students who finish early is such a brilliant idea!

[@ritawebster4417]

This series is soooo informative and up-close and personal into your struggles. thanks for sharing

[@SignDuoChannel]

Rita Webster Ayuso I'm glad you liked it! Thanks 🤟💕!

[@penelopefp]

Agreed! Agreed!! If you ever come to the San Fran area, I'd be honored to take you to a couple great donut shops!! 😊

[@SidrahEsmael]

I just want to thank the two of you for promoting deaf awareness and just showing a hearing person a perspective that we don’t usually get, because that’s what the world needs, so keep up your great work ❤️❤️

[@SignDuoChannel]

Sidrah Esmael thank you!!! ☺️🤟💕

[@RapFanatic4ever]

Yeah I’m hearing so I’m Learning all this .

[@chrislee1613]

been there many time but I always felt isolate in my hearing family..but my hearing daughter helps me alot..i am proud of her for trying to help me

[@ohhhshitson]

Ryan, I enjoy your clear signing. And this video you have a slower sign speed, which I like. I could understand most without captions! :)

[@SignDuoChannel]

its funny because this is how i actually sign! haha -Ryan

[@My-Channel_forever]

@@SignDuoChannel , Ryan I love the speed at which you sign. I pick up a few new words each video from both you and Ellen, and I also understand many of the signs I know that I tend to miss when watching videos of deaf people who sign more quickly. I feel like I make some progress with receptive skills watching Sign Duo videos . This is very helpful since I have nobody to practice with. Plus you have great content...and a super cute dog!

[@catherineliu3985]

I stumbled across y’alls KZbin channel by accident and I am SO glad I did! As a hearing person with not that much exposure to the deaf community, yalls videos have been SUPER educational and helpful. :) One thing that I thought of while I watching this 3 part series was how yalls relationship is similar to couples who don’t speak the same language as their significant other’s family. For example, my parents who immigrated here from Taiwan and primarily speak Chinese, had an extremely difficult time communicating with my past significant others who didn’t speak Chinese. I always felt like the interpreter and I too constantly got frustrated/exhausted in my own translation capabilities. I could tell that my my past significant others would not enjoy coming over to family functions because of that language barrier. And I had one previous significant other who voiced the same insecurities as Ryan of why not date someone who could communicate in the same language that my family members did. Ultimately what I realized was that while yes it would be easier for my family to communicate with my significant other if all parties spoke the same language; what was more important to me would be the heart of the man I date. Languages can be learned and taught but how to be kind or selfless cannot. Anyways, love yalls videos! 😊

[@MelodyBrooke]

My 10 yr old granddaughter is deaf and I know a little sign, trying to learn more. Her parents are both very fluent in ASL but since I am not around her frequently its been difficult to find ways to become more fluent. This was super helpful as, like he said, if you try, they can usually understand what you are saying even if you do it poorly. I've noticed this with her even before I knew what I know now. She is VERY motivated to understand and to communicate. I generally don't have a problem communicating with her though her parents are annoyed that I am not more fluent.... anyway.... thank you for your channel

[@lillyb3672]

I know your comment was 2yrs ago, but how is the ASL going?

[@MelodyBrooke]

@@lillyb3672 I've kind of given up, as I rarely get to see my grand daughter and have no place else to practice.

[@lillyb3672]

@MelodyBrooke have you thought about taking the class at your local college? There are classes that you can take online as well, but maybe being in a class will be better for you since you will have the instructor right there helping you. 😊

[@michalnutt5852]

I learned a bit of sign 40 years ago when my mom worked with a deaf lady. Through the years, I kept it up a bit, but definitely NOT fluent. This year, my youngest decided to study sign for school (freshman - homeschool). I have so much enjoyed watching your interactions and learning culture from you two. A great big THANK YOU for this set of 3 videos surrounding family gatherings. I went to a deaf picnic once with an interpreter friend. I felt so inadequate when she was in conversation with a deaf person and left me to myself ...so I retreated. I now realize that I shouldn’t have! At the same time, my toddler went up to a deaf grandma and made motions with her hands. The dear lady pretended that my toddler was actually signing with real signs to her. She carried on a “conversation” with her. It was priceless ... and I should have taken more initiative at that point instead of feeling inadequate. (regrets ... and lesson learned)

[@adanibarra1453]

Ryan probably took a nap after this. That was a lot of signing.

[@8xrry]

I swear, I could hear him when he's signing. I can hear him very clearly, and it's just an amazing thing. Thanks for giving me tips for me to use whenever I am in that kind of situation.. the two of you rock!!

[@karlasjostrom851]

Lovely. I have a deaf employee and I would hate to ever have him feel isolated. I do my best to gesture but need to be more diligent about eye contact. THANK YOU!

[@amorettemackey6216]

I’m so glad that I discovered this. I 100% understand how Ryan feels because I’m profoundly deaf with both ear, but I do have an implant. I live a bit far away from small deaf community and y’all videos makes me feel closer to my own culture and I can relate y’all problems. I live in hearing family and attend small public hearing school, and it’s really hard to find a deaf community locally. Thank you for making videos because it can really help others.

[@maijalindstrom2766]

Sending love from another CI user!!

[@srjohnst]

Watching the way you two communicate so clearly - not just the signing but the fact that you're so honest with each other about your feelings - is so lovely and inspiring to watch. ❤️

[@ygardner214]

These videos are so helpful. Like you said not every experience is the same but this does help and give insight. Thank y’all for sharing, hope you are doing better Ellen! Hope y’all have an amazing holiday!

[@SignDuoChannel]

Yvonne Gardner I'm happy it was helpful! Thanks! Hi am doing better! Hope you have an amazing holiday too! 🤟💕

[@bl8757]

A lot of these were very similar to my experience at thanksgiving where one french guy was surrounded by americans. Everyone there had some level of french but many were being kinda rude and excluding hm by using only english. So me and his girlfriend ended up acting as translators for him a lot. He was obviously uncomfortable but reeally appreciated one guy who tried suuuuper hard to have conversation with him and he was the only person who didnt speak french. I especially related ti the DELAY!!! Its like yooo guys gimme a sec to translate for the dude before you barrel on with another question.

[@emmachitty69]

I wish I had a deaf friend or family member. I know hearing people who know sign language and are either interpreters or teachers but I've only met a few deaf people before and I didn't know much sign language then. Anyways, 😂 I love you guys. Hope I run into you someday!

[@SignDuoChannel]

Emma Chitty awe thank you! I hope we meet too one day! ☺️🤟💕

[@schampie99]

If a person knows some basic sign, but not enough to hold a real conversation is it preferred that this person try to use the bit of sign they know, or is that disrespectful because the person would be making a lot of mistakes?

[@SignDuoChannel]

Sarah C that's a great question. It's not disrespectful at all to make mistakes while signing. Trying to communicate through the sign that you know is really great! It's actually seen as being very genuine. You should try to use the signs you know and gesture or write for the signs you don't know. Don't be scared to ask how do you sign this if that works keeps coming up in conversation too

[@TheRelicOfOwls]

I kinda wonder this too. Like, is it preferred to show them your effort to learn, or is the clarity of the conversation itself more important? I'd assume it's a case by case basis depending on who you're talking to, but what is considered the general consensus?

[@megdalenagonzalez-mounce1776]

You just have to try. And stay humble. Don't be afraid to admit what you don't know and that you're learning and most deaf people will be super helpful.

[@vincent_cnds2051]

Sarah C you just have to let them know that you’re still learning ASL and you can only understand/sign a few signs. Atleast give them a headsup before the conversation. :))

[@benditadeleterno]

deaf people APPRECIATE ALL kinds of efforts to be included. Not much has to be said just gesture or texting and letting them know you think they are just like everyone else! You would be suprised at how Deaf people will understand the little signs and lots of gestures you make to them. Deaf people are smart people, dont be fooled. They can understand a lot.

[@HawtAsianChica]

I love these series! I’m on the binge watching train and I’ve fallen in love with the sign duo message! ❤️

[@ria8136]

I really like that concept of three videos. They were all very informative and it was so interesting to see your personal experience. Also you guys are so sweet together😍🤟💜 your content is awesome💜

[@kynn23]

I echo every bit of this. :) Also, thanks for putting in bloopers!

[@MissNatt27]

Quickly becoming such a big fan. This whole series was just amazing. Everything you’re talking about can be adapted outside of holidays and and family is really useful. I have a friend whose coworkers really, really want to communicate with her and they want to learn how to do it themselves, not through me. It’s fantastic but they are shy and nervous. And learning helpful “ground rules” like this will help a lot. Awesome video!!

[@patriciatortat6964]

I really appreciate what you are doing. My story. I used to babysit a little girl when I was 14. I am 46 now. I learned the basics. I loved this language so much. I bought a lot of books. Watched videos. And I keep brushing up on it. In 2012 i went to Vegas with my deaf friend and met Marlee Marlin and Sean Berdy and Sean Forbes. It was the best time in my life. Something that I will never forget. I don’t get to talk to him much he is in Ohio and I’m in Illinois. So it hard to catch him available. But I follow a lot of people and a teacher by the name of Dr. Bill Viscar. Is is awesome and he makes it fun and is very patient and helpful. I’m like shall I say obsessed with learning all I can. I wan to thank you so much. I just followed you guys a few days ago. You guys a very cute couple. And you make it work. Love you guys.

[@TT-hk1rt]

I just started watching your videos a short bit ago and you have opened my eyes to some of the obstacles a deaf person encounters on a daily basis. Thank you for your willingness to help me and others be more conscious of communicating with hearing impaired people

[@catherineerskine416]

Thank you so much for this 3 part series. I have been following you since I started taking ASL classes at a college a year ago. I got my certificate and met my boyfriend at an event a few months ago at a Deaf Night Out event. Anyways. We have been dating 5 months now (I am hearing) and he will be joining my family and meeting my sister Christmas Day. He joined my family for my birthday dinner and it went well but holidays are crazy and this has really helped me understand better how to navigate this together! I am also sending this to my (super supportive but inexperienced with deaf culture) family in hopes of encouraging them!

[@leighanncarey7878]

My plan after I graduate highschool in May 2019 is to go to a trade school for ASL AND get my teaching degree and a certification to help special needs kids at a local school in my area.. I've always had a passion for signing and helping special needs children . Personally I think that sign language is the most beautiful language to learn.. I had my first deaf customer at my job a few weeks ago and she only read lips and knew very little asl but only knowing that I could tell it made her feel more welcomes in the restaurant I work at by me showing her that I was able to help her understand a little bit better of the things she ordered.. she was so thankful for everything I did for her that she gave me some banana pudding. Lol

[@pragyasharma44]

I have never met a deaf person in my entire life! I have been watching you guys now like for a good month and trust me guys you are blessed to have each other! I wish you all the love in the world ...all of it! Seeing you people makes me so happy! It makes me feel the love and care everyone deserves! I don't know if I will ever meet a deaf person but I will surely learn basic ASL and always remember these tips. Thank you so much for being! 😘😘 Love you two! ❤️❤️😘

[@amh71]

As a hearing interpreter, I'd love to thank you both for sharing parts of your life. The reality is we, as interpreters, have learned a lot in our education however as in most professions, what you learn in school is not the same as getting real world understanding. That can only be accomplished by associating with the Deaf community and experiencing Deaf Culture first hand. Thank you for giving us this insight. While watching, I learn so much about the interpersonal connections you share with each other. It allows me to learn more about the struggles and unnecessary pressure that an individual who is Deaf has to deal with on a day to day basis. I really enjoy the comedy and connection you two share. Thank you so much for allowing us into your life. Please continue these video's, as they really have a positive impact on how we all should be more accepting and loving of each other!

[@jaymeharl3270]

I am late deafened (slowly over my adulthood but have been "deaf" (greater than 85 dB loss) for about ten years now). I go to a lot of house parties (cards, games) and one major component is the fire pit outside. Usually, because the groups are varied, there are smokers...so the host will have an area they can hang out outside....and the fire pit becomes its own social area. Because I am exclusively a lip reader (no sign language)….I don't go outside. I miss a LOT of the conversations and am always out of the loop because I don't hang out around the fire. It is too dark and I can't see peoples' lips. Also...by the time I figure out who is talking and turn my eyes toward them, I have missed a lot of what they had to say. It's very isolating to be the only one sitting inside at the snack table.

[@miriamrobarts]

Would it be possible to add more lighting outside? Have you talked to them about the problem? They probably don't realize you're feeling left out. Hopefully, you can figure out some solutions!

[@bochern]

i m an french hearing person, just want to let you know that your video are sooooo great for us (hearing person) to know more about deaf or hard hearing person! take care!

[@joericardo8177]

Thank you for making these videos. My partner (Deaf) and I (hearing) had this exact conversation recently and this series captured it perfectly. I appreciate you sharing your stories and experiences. We love your content 🤟🏽

[@natsukitatsumakiniji]

I love these 3 videos so much! They help me be more aware how I can include Deaf people in my life, and that I might be able to apply this to whatever country/sign language of the country I'm in. But it also relates to me. Living overseas where the main language isn't my first language, it's probably not the exact experience (as in I don't want to undermine what Deaf and Hearing mixed families struggle with), but I've had some similarities when I'm in groups. Sometimes people raise their voices louder as if that will help; sometimes the person keeps talking instead of giving my brain a second to catch up because they don't like that awkward pause; sometimes people turn to me and I've been trying to track multiple conversations and get caught off guard that I now have to focus really hard on one. One thing that helped me was when one of the hosts asked me if I wanted to learn how to make a traditional dessert. She and her friends taught me: being in the kitchen with three other people was much less stressful and easier to interact with than being in a room with five different conversations between 15 people. If I'm ever in a position to host and there are multiple cultures/languages, there's going to be a fun activity, preferably involving throwing paint so everyone's laughing by the end.

[@lisaboese7526]

i have a hearing impared (deaf) sister, she only just found your channel and loves watching it, she has other disabilitys one being that she cant comunicate throught sign anymore so uses a comunication device, she is also in a wheelchair, she goes to a place called jolt(dance classes fro the disabled) they really try to include her in the dance and try alot of differant methods for her to be able to feel the music, they have even gone out of there way to raise some money to get her a spechal braclet called the Neosensory Braclet its a braclet that will not only help her feel the music but it will also help her feel when there is a knock at the door, alams going off, dogs barking eben right down to being able to feel when someone says hello to her.

[@benbrown8258]

This is Super Helpful!!! Ryan's advice rates a 10 on a 10 point scale. I had thought upon seeing the last video the larger family who wanted to interact with Ryan could use some of these tips. Some of them I did not know. You have no idea how much I appreciated this. It was also helpful to know what surprised Ryan and that he did not know about Ellen's thoughts. This series was so good and expanded my understanding. I've been working to improve upon the signs I did know. I felt So Guilty my deaf friends had to do all the work to understand me I went into hiding. I am right now in the middle of an ASL class and it is more difficult than learning from friends. Unfortunately my deaf friends move to the north has been a bit of a discouragement as it will be harder to visit them. Zoom isn't quite the same but they are always in my heart. This time around I will try harder to not lose any sign I learn...but I will miss my friends.

[@learnasl1644]

Love Love Love Sign Duo! Don't change anything okay it is totally blessing many people. Can you give additional insight on the reason for 'the pause'. You have already provided a good amount of info but if you could elaborate a bit more. This is so fascinating to me I just want to be certain that I understand the significance of 'The Pause'. Your channel is so unique. I subscribe to other hearing/deaf couple channels but yours totally stands out because of the topics you are willing to discuss. Your depth and vulnerability will continue to draw people. Having the option to slow the speed of the video is key for me. Keep it up! God bless you both.

[@rebekahclevenger3484]

Thank you for being so honest and open to a bunch of strangers on the internet. THIS is what the world needs right now. Bless you guys. Would love more about the best ways to include people (deaf in hearing family AND hearing in deaf family)

[@SignDuoChannel]

You are so welcome, and thank you for being so supportive! We'll make more videos like this in the future! -ryan

[@phoenixmoon5580]

@@SignDuoChannel Definitely (pun not intended!). I am wanting to go to a deaf community meet up at some point. (Especially if my brain and hands remember enough signs to make a decent conversation by that point!). I am very nervous about the differences in rules. I also want to understand WHY that is difficult. I literally would like a video done from your point of view (like if the camera was your eyes). I would adore a list of rules of things not to do, and things to do. I also would like the explanation behind why that is occuring. Why is it rude, offensive, or inexcusable to do? I know many things I would instinctively do because I care about people would probably be offensive by accident. This runs the risk of hurting someone as I doubt a person who is hurt will explain why. I need that. I also am incredibly rubbish in social situations, so it will definitely help ease the nervousness.

[@ophilliaber-lynn7310]

You two are my favorite couple on KZbin!! I can always tell how much you two love and care for eachother and it's amazing to see how patient you two are as well ❤️❤️❤️

[@aliceobrien1764]

Thank you for the videos. My nephews has a sudden loss of hearing due to a illness at age 7. We are praying for it to come back or part. I never want him to feel left out! so I am learning as much sign as i can in hopes to help him with this transition. these videos were a eye opener and some great advice. I would have never thought of dinner time and neck becoming sore. Thank you for being so open and sharing.

[@margaretmwilliams9554]

Thank you so much for your videos. It's comforting to know that at least someone understands what the isolation during gatherings is like. My family and close friends do try to understand, but they do not and after a while they get tired of trying to include.

[@12ita]

Thanks for sharing so vulnerably and allowing us into your lives like this. Loving you all as a couple and also learning so much. :)

[@A-KBench]

I'm hard of hearing and even though it's different from beeing deaf, I can really relate to many of these situations. Feeling lost in group conversations or trying so hard to keep up with them. I love your vlogs, but these kind of videos are super interesting too. I think it's important for hearing family members and friends to be aware of it and be informed about it, because often they probably just don't know any better than that (acting in a thoughtless way). Looking forward to your next video! Lots of love from Germany! ❤

[@sallyannjohnston4627]

Ryan, I understood what is your family's communication during the holidays. I have been through this for 53 yrs but I KNOW it HURTS badly what u want to be part of your family without ASL. I tried many things with my family until I had a hearing daughter that is great with ASL with me. Ryan, u have your precious wife that she can communicating u with ASL. Just do the best u can do during the christmas holiday. Love u guys🤟

[@treatsbyvickie]

I am hard of hearing (continuing to lose what hearing I do have) and my husband is hearing. We just love your videos...

[@cicisunGemini]

The comments below are the nicest and the most beautiful comments I have seen on KZbin. I personally appreciate you guys sharing your relationship experience in the sense of the beauty as well as the struggle of communication. I love how considerate and peaceful the sign duo are, and giving your powerful energy to the audience.

[@monicak7132]

A lot of topics/messages from your channel applies the same with language barriers. I'm multilingual and I face many times where I'd have to translate for others. I find your advices great for any social gatherings, really. Especially 5. Go out of your way to include the others!❤

[@sc_christie]

I have a daughter that I didn’t raise (I was a teenager and she was adopted) we are now in each other’s lives. She is deaf and I am now learning asl and learning about deaf culture. This series is great! It never occurred to me the physical toll it would take to try and keep up with a conversation. Thank you so much for putting it all out there!

[@candacederossett2562]

Hi there!! Loved all the videos. I want to thank you for staying up so late and helping explain some of the difficulties of DTS. I grew up in Dallas, Texas and just happened to be int eh school district for attending Stonewall Jackson Elem for my 4th grade year. This was the only Deaf elem near Dallas as far as I know. (This was also a long time ago, so I hope things have changed since then and there are more schools like this. It was a school for the Deaf and Blind. Every Friday we had a spelling test like most kiddos in school but on Thursdays we would have our ASL test. If you didn't pass the ASL test then you wouldn't pass. This is back when you were held back in a grade for not making the grades. ( I don't think they do this anymore,) I flourished this 4th grade year! I made friends who were Deaf and once my friends and I even had a friend over and we took turns signing the movie "Old Yeller". These were videotape days in the 80s so not all movies had captions like they do today. Anywho I loved helping her see the Disney classic Ole Yeller for the first time. Of course the ending was hard to interpret but at that age I didn't get as emotional as I do as an adult. Haha. I learned so much that year! I remembered quite a bit and tried to take it again my senior year of HS but then moved in the middle of the year. Then I took ASL 1 and 2 at a community college in my 20s but moved again. Guess what though... I stayed in touch with my ASL professor and now Im in ASL 3 and soon my 1st interpreting ASL class in the fall. I really hope to somehow create a way to break the barrier of allowing the Deaf Community of this Dinner Table Syndrome somehow. I have discussed it with others my ideas of introducing an app to know where others are that know ASL when out, those who work in places that have an employee that knows, bars, social events that can provide one with a moments notice. There really needs to be places what we can all hangout and have amazing experiences while making new friends who know ASL or want to learn ASL.

[@barbaragills3734]

This is so helpful and insightful. I am hearing and beginning to date a friend who is deaf. I invited him to meet some of my family this coming summer and these are all good things to know. I'm not completely fluent in ASL yet but can hold a long conversation with him. Interpreting may be exhausting when it comes time but I want him to feel welcome.

[@christopherpaiz8856]

This was really awesome to see. I’m hearing and this Christmas will be the first Christmas my deaf boyfriend spends with my family so this helped a lot.

[@TrangPhamNguyen]

This is such a wonderful video! Because it can apply not to just any family gatherings but any social or work event etc and we can be better informed on how to be inclusive in a better way ❤️

[@maddersmudder]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a situation at work where we are working with one deaf woman, a interpreter, and the rest of the team is hearing. Before the first meeting of the whole team together, I wanted to make sure that our deaf teammate and interpreter felt comfortable and supported throughout. This video is about family gatherings, but I realized immediately that it had application to our meetings, too. (Lots of people, the potential for conversations to break into side convos, the need to make sure that everyone gave the interpreter time to catch up, etc) so I shared this video with the hearing folks on the team. So, THANK YOU!

[@shadenphoenix]

Love you guys. I love seeing the bond, the dynamic. These videos really help me as well, and I'm a hearing person who has always felt like an outsider in any group. Though I've watched many of your other videos already, you encouraged me with your drive-through videos to really (and finally, after many years of 'wanting' and 'planning to') learn asl to help others. I love learning new things, and languages are one of my favs, but this is more important than just for fun. The world (especially the more modern, messed up, selfish, instant-gradification culture) just doesn't try to understand others. Im both physically and learning disabled, so i get a lot of similar treatment and neglect. But you guys are putting some much-needed light back in my life. I started the lifeprint section 1 classes 3 days ago, learned all my letters and numbers yesterday, and watched a few more videos today and in seeing many more words i didn't know before. Im still looking for a mentor/ practice buddy, but I'm learning! :D Thank you again for having such a strong love for each other, and sharing your lives with us.

[@lisablanton1869]

Thank you for the suggestions. Much appreciated!!!!

[@allisoncole1616]

Love this! I took a deaf culture class in college for my degree (taught by a deaf person of course!!) one of my fav classes!!

[@TheZornisse]

That was very interesting. a very helpful insight. I do "easy to read" (for people with mental handicaps) in German and I sometime meet deaf people at conventions. Usually there are professional interpreters near by, but it is still an experience. First time it happend I wanted to approach a deaf person (with an interpreter) but I didn't know how to speak to the deaf person "correctly" (and I am little shy anyway :) ). I am a little blunt some say so I started by asking the two of them: How do I do it? It's good to learn that starting that way wasn't the worst one could do. I then learned that I should maintain eye contact with the deaf person and that I should pause after a question (or an answer). It was a nice conversation and we had a laugh. I I would like to ask you a question: I do easy to read and I also do illustrations for that kind of texts. I challenge myself to include handicapped people in all kind of situation but sometimes it is part of the job description: do one person with a handicap and one without. Most people expect to see a person in a wheelchair in such a picture. But I sometimes just do 2 "normal looking" persons - because one of them is deaf. It is not cheating it is just that I want to show that a handicap can be more than steps one cannot climb. My question: Do you have any suggestion how to indicate a deaf person in drawing? these drawings a not very big (less than 5 cm wide) so they do not include a lot of detail. www.dropbox.com/s/67albyebii3lzhu/gruppe_2-Personen-beratungsgespraech-leger.jpg?dl=0

[@tianqiu1200]

English is not my first language. And I can relate to soooo much to what you mentioned in these videos. When I was surrounded by other English speaking people, it was very common for me to need someone explain what exactly are they talking about (like one on one). Too often I have to discuss the whole conversation with my friend all over afterwards to make it clear to me. I had a lot similar experiences when I lived in English speaking world as a foreigner. Love your channel 💕

[@joshserrano554]

My experience is not being deaf or hard of hearing but rather a spoken language barrier. So I am mixed (Spanish and white)and my father never prioritized teaching me Spanish so I never really learned. So I often remember when I was a kid going to visit family for the holidays and feeling uncomfortable because everyone was speaking Spanish very fast and often times the only time they ever actually spoke to me was to judge me about not speaking. I always hated it because I felt anxious and I did not belong there. Only my abuela (grandma) would in her broken English take me aside and talk to me and make me feel like I belonged there. That is why when she passed it hit me so hard and why I still miss her. It was stressful on my parents also because they saw the anxiety I often had. We often did the same things: leaving early, isolating, etc. It ruined many Christmases and other family gatherings for me because I felt like I was a stranger. So while this was directed towards the deaf community, I actually could relate in some way. Thank you for being so honest about your struggles Ryan and Ellen!

[@twowingsstudio]

Good for you two! Your insights are so valuable. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

[@themichaels]

Just discovered your channel! Since there aren't a lot of movies with ASL being used, videos like this are super helpful now that I'm learning the language and about Deaf culture. Thank you!

[@aryamaryvarghese96]

seeing you guys ,I understand how importantly it should be taken for the hearing community to take some effort in learning sign language as a part of humanity

[@aerialdavis969]

My brother is deaf so I have been trying to learn more asl and I have asked him and go through our dad to talk as well but My Dad recommended I watch your videos to learn more and I’m so thankful for that because I want nothing more than my brother to feel included in everything and him know that he isn’t a burden on any of us and i want to be able to visit them and have a nice conversation with my brother so thank you for all that you do in helping hearing people learn correct ways to communicate with hard of hearing or deaf people.

[@dylanquinn7]

Look at the person and not the interpreter is so true for all situations with any type of interpreting! As a health professional who works with interpreters for various different languages, you always want to remember that you are having a conversation with the person, not the interpreter. Thank you for making such an informative video! I love going back and watching your videos through the years

[@jazzb886]

1. 10/10 on this topic, y'all are so open and honest. 2. Cutest couple ever! Both have great personalities that you present, and even better together. 8 years and still look like you're in the honeymoon phase. 🥰 3. Both of you are very good with how you choose your words (it's also something I find fascinating about sign language). The passion is radiating from every video to spread love and knowledge and it's amazing to see. 4. Thank you thank youu and thank youuuuu Love from Michigan

[@TSLamb]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful help and for sharing your stories and experiences.

[@oscarj.sanchez9733]

I’m interpreter of LSM (Lengua Señas Mexico) my best friends are deaft and when we go to a party every body wants to learns some things about it, but i don’t like that says me “tell him this” is awful , thanks for This kind of video all ways help. God bless you

[@maddersmudder]

Oo! Oo! Now I have to look up LSM videos. ASL had a different grammar than spoken English, and I'm curious about the differences in LSM to spoken Mexican Spanish.

[@oscarj.sanchez9733]

Lisha Sterling Uff a lot a difference, for example: English Those house is a big house Spanish Esa casa es una casa grande LSM Casa grande casa (pointing those house) In LSM you use only verbs and over reacting or acting a lot. God bless.

[@Katelyn3666]

I really related to what Ryan said about being exhausted at the end of a long family gathering. I'm HoH and rely on lipreading in combination with what I hear so in a social setting with multiple people, it can be difficult to follow a conversation around the room from person to person. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips to make things easier.

[@kreiss5534]

Thank you so much for making this video. This is perfect to share with family before a gathering so that they can be more informed and prepared. I am hearing and my boyfriend is deaf. We run into the problem of family members constantly expecting me to interpret for them (which I don't mind doing) without attempting to communicate directly or when I'm already trying to interpret for someone else. One time after a dinner we had a conversation about what he wanted me to communicate when it came to conversations and such. It helped a lot because I can be more involved in the conversation and I know when he wants to be included. He also gives me a "what's up" look when he wants to know what's going on and that helps me know I need to be more inclusive. I liked how you guys brought up isolating. We still face this a lot because my boyfriend will get bored since people don't make a good effort to communicate and I will seprate myself, from the rest of the family to keep him company. I hope that the more my family and friends interact and understand, the more my boyfriend will feel like part of the family. Thank you guys for doing what you do! 🤟

[@cynthiawhiteanderson9992]

I really appreciate you both sharing these experiences. My biggest take away from this vlog was asking the person who is deaf how they would prefer to communicate with me, a hearing person who only knows about 10 signs. From now on, I will ask and not assume by getting out paper or asking someone to interpret for me. Education is key! You guys ROCK. thanks

[@Clairebe2010]

Thank you so much for all the knowledge and love you two put out into the world. Two beautiful souls 🤟❤️❤️

[@rhondavega3484]

You two are just so darn cute and I love how transparent you are about situations and honest feelings. I am a hearing person who works at a high school and I am also studying ASL and love it. I am lucky enough to work with a Deaf student and her interpreter. I am their note taker and they really help me with ASL and love including me in conversation. I appreciate your clear signing and am learning a lot watching you. Thank you for making your videos as you guys are my favorite!!

[@avak1813]

i started watching your videos bc i wanted an insight of living as a deaf person since i wanna write deaf characters in my books, and i ended up falling in love with you both and your story. we can see how genuine your feelings are, and you love and respect each other so much, i sincerely cried watching the part 2 of this series. wish you both all happiness and that you continue to grow together

[@gabriellea3533]

As a beginner college ASL student, this is so helpful to know. Thank you both!

[@kristinegraham2754]

I definitely like number 5.Including people is very important.

[@jesuisshirley0716]

All i can say about the 6 dislikes is that they've pressed the wrong button after getting drunk in those fam gatherings. Love this vid so much and appreciating Ryan's always trying attitude. As a hearing person, (when im typing this i wanna rewind the vid so that i can catch up with what they say but i dont undertand why youtube insists my finishing typing first -.-||||) i think he's having a stronger personality than i do. Always appreciating that u guys r spreading love here ;) Support !

[@monikadabrowska9392]

Hey there , I am profoundly deaf myself , nice to see you Ryan and Ellen. You told me a good few points . I watched yours few videos recently as i am new to your site, and I must say i moved from Poland to England 14years ago and also studied in secondery and college etc with normal hearing people where only me was profoundly deaf ( i wear coachler implant on my right ear ) and without it am deaf tottally so i dont hear a thing like you Ryan so i understand your struggles ,when i wear coachler implant i do hear like Ellen but not exactly the same so i kinda understand your both worlds.so since i move until now i havent been able to go out there and share my disability with the world ,as i always was around hearing people - so dont have really many friends of where they r deaf or hard of hearing in UK . I love your channel and is ASL similar to BSL -when you sign i notice ASL is very similar do BSL are they? as i will be beginner with that as i watched your channel and understand that i have issues to deal with to actually stand up and speak of my disability because its important and ASL and BSL is actually REALLY important in our world of deafness in case of communication with others at night as then im without implant and in case of FIRE etc also do you happen to know any deaf people worth of get in touch with in London or UK? I love your channel please post more!

[@stevenrowe4748]

Thank you for your channel that is full of amazing content for the deaf or hard of hearing community Your video on getting the deaf or hard of hearing involved in a family discussion. I'm hard of hearing and I just avoid gatherings. Covid-19 has really been awful on trying to read lips. Again thank you for your videos and lots of good vibes to awesome couple

[@vbentley9193]

Very informative. I especially like the outtakes you have been adding. The best learning videos by far. Please continue teaching.

[@jessicaweaver5156]

Thank you for your nice videos! 😃💕

[@francespicciallo9690]

I love hearing about your families! I’d like to know about Ryan’s fam too!!!

[@annabellmolina-muniz2344]

We totally accepted. My daughters boyfriend who is deaf and invited his family to Thanksgiving dinner. My husband and I sat with them talked with them and made them feal welcome...

[@learnasl1644]

R and E... I am a big fan! I have watched this video many times. This is hard to say because every video you put out is awesome but I think this video may be my favorite! All three parts of it. I practice my vocabulary and build on my knowledge of the deaf community. The topic and the suggestions Ryan offers in part 3 are so so good!!! I would love to see more videos about your interactions with family and friends in a relaxed environment.

[@Sean-in3np]

You two are a wonderful couple! I really appreciate this last video about how to involve deaf people. Thank you

[@kaitlinmathis9192]

Thank you so much for this .

[@sarastooks]

Thanks for sharing your experiences ♥️ I watched through all of the parts to this. My great uncle is deaf. He didn’t have the opportunity to learn sign language and also was never around others in the deaf community growing up. It’s set him back a little as far as communicating with people and so family gatherings can often be difficult. He is always physically present but he can’t really join in on the conversations very easily.

[@irazranazeren2234]

thank you for sharing this with you guys are so wonderful :) I started learning Auslan (Australian Sign Language) this year as I think it is something we all could learn and practice. i have never had deaf or HOH people in my personal life but I have been in hospitality a long time and had many customers. i always carry pen and paper even when i am walking my dog so I never have to be in a position we cannot communicate. It is a great skill for me and it can change a deaf or HOH person's whole day/experience. Most signs are different between Auslan and ASL and I am so new to this that you guys are super fast for me to follow but I love the content and I just try to focus on Ryan all the time to understand with the volume turned down so low that I can barely hear. love the channel and all your hard work :)

[@trinitycompton3999]

It’s so interesting that you mention for hearing people to get comfortable with the pause or delay when using an interpreter because I always feel intimidated to try and use sign language with a deaf person because I might be too slow and annoy them lol... good to know that they will likely be comfortable with my slow pace!

[@LanaDeEspresso]

I know I'm late to see these videos. But I wanted to say how grateful I am for the series you made. While my dad is deaf, I never realized how much could be going on with him. And it made me so much more aware of him and his surroundings. Even as an interpreter (I was my dad's for a long while) you sometimes aren't aware of a lot of things, or even tend to forget. And I'm glad I stumbled upon your KZbin channel. Even though it's a little confusing cause some signs are different from the German sign language. But its still awesome! Thanks so so much!

[@etherealradar]

I love you guys so much!, many blessings and happy days to you both.

[@galgreen3749]

Omg 💔 breaks my heart how can people he so cruel 😭 Ryan and Ellen you are amazing

[@megdalenagonzalez-mounce1776]

As a hearing person that signs, I think it is really nice of Ryan to not want to pressure you to interpret constantly. However I also understand how you feel compelled to constantly interpret. Deaf people in a hearing world is like living in a bubble. Constantly left out and not sure what's going on. When my deaf friend lived with me she would get angry with me if I didn't interpret constantly and accuse me of talking behind her back if I didn't. I have other Deaf friends who are more like Ryan and don't want to burden you by depending on you for all communications. When you startsigning nobody warns you how emotionally draining it can be to try and interpret. I feel a class on the morals and ethics in it would have helped me greatly. Perhaps when you feel overwhelmed you could tell the people what Ryan said about addressing him directly, encourage them to communicate other ways. It's a delicate and difficult balance but don't ever give up just because it might be "easier". Every relationship is difficult and if you can work through these issues you prove to yourselves you can work through anything. You guys are strong, I hope you always find a way back to your center and never give up!

[@tamikiabrodeur965]

My husband will get mad at me when I don’t understand what he’s saying sometimes he said a word that I have no idea of what he’s saying but when I figure it out I try to help him say it right

[@jennachack]

i understand that during family dinner it is family time but i think it would be AWESOME if for the next holiday or just for a dinner or something if you recorded it to show the real life moments!!! love u 2

[@HannahHudge]

I'm studying to be a speech therapist and am taking ASL classes currently at university. Outside of strictly speech therapy I hope to help deaf and other non-verbal students in school districts. I've always been fascinated with the language and deaf culture, I wish my high school had offered ASL! I'm enjoying learning so much. I'm at a stage right now where I'm trying to see how much sign I can follow along with, relying on captions less. It's also really great to hear ya'lls experiences to gain some perspective and communication tips (like eye contact and the pause thing with having an interpreter) I'm getting better and better and I'm really excited to get to a point where I'll feel comfortable approaching a deaf person. wish me luck!

[@ellabellajosie9106]

You guys make my heart so happy.

[@TheShockedKitten]

I watched this last year and now again this year because I love it so much! I hope you do something similar this year! I would love to learn and watch more content like this around the holidays!!

[@claudiamendoza7381]

Greetings from El Salvador!

[@nauticaldreamasmr8657]

Love all your videos always so fun, informative, and addictive. Thank you for sharing and opening up. ❤️ ❤️

[@10OF9OFBORG]

Hi guys! Great video! Now, One thing I did when there are too many conversations all at once and too subjusts all at once, I usually say sorry I am lost and one or people will me what happen but other some people will say I will tell you later or forget it not important, that’s makes me mad.

[@lesparza1981]

Thank you for sharing. I can somewhat understand my husband is Mexican and his mother and father speak mainly Spanish. During family gatherings they tend to speak in Spanish and since I do not speak Spanish my husband will have to translate for me. I do try my best to have conversations by myself but it is hard. I try to use what I know of spanish, body language and everything I can to try and communicate. Also since my daughter is deaf and is the only one deaf in the family I will have to be who the family comes to to ask her questions and translate what she is saying to everyone. I try my best to sign what I can and what I know for her so that she understand what people are saying even if they are not talking to her. She is only 9 years old so lucky for me playing with her cousins is pretty good for her and she does have some hearing with the help of her cochlear implant in one ear and hearing aid in the other. Thank you for this truly watching you videos and following your channel is a blessing to me

[@Kimbah9]

These suggestions are also helpful for those like me who are hard-of-hearing. Thanks so much.

[@mrspontiac9174]

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm learning heaps.