Before watching video “In My Language” I decided to do some background information on Autism. I didn’t really know much about Autism except that its becoming more common. Autism is a "brain developmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication, and by restricted and receptive behavior" (wikapedia). After watching Amanda Baggs in her video “In My Language”, I can honestly say I was shocked by the definition this website gave me. The definition of “impaired communication” does not fit what Amanda Baggs did in her video.
The beginning of the video starts out with Amanda interacting with different objects around her. To the “average” person, it looks like Amanda is doing nothing but banging and hitting random objects. But as Amanda points out, this is her form of communication. She states that she is in “constant conversation with her surroundings.” Who are we to judge this just because it’s not the “typical” way to communicate?
The second part of her video, “A Translation”, is where Amanda uses a computerized voice to actually speak out what she is trying to say. Amanda states that the beginning of the movie was in her “native” language. She goes on to describe the differences of her “native” language. She states that not every image from the first part of the movie has a meaning. She is saying that her language is to interact with the world in a different way than most people think. She is being judged on the fact that she can not physically speak. However, when you take a closer look, she is full or words, just with not sound.
The video goes on with Amanda explaining how others judge Amanda on being “different” when she is really just reacting in her own language. She states, “They judge my existence, awareness, and personhood or even visualization.” However, she goes on to explain how she can sing, smell, and taste. All which are forms of communication. But people don’t think of them as such.
In the end I feel that just because Amanda’s “Native Language” is not the norm, it still shouldn’t be considered a language. This video sends a powerful message of how hard Autistic people have it. How helpless they can feel having of conform to a language that is not their own. I feel that this topic ties right in with AAE and teaching Asian Students English. All of these are examples of “languages” most are not used to.
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Throughout the video and after reading the article, I only had one question: does every autistic person speak in the same "non-language" as Amanda Baggs? The answer is no, and to this I apologize, but why should we try to speak Amanda's language when ours is going to help us to communicate with more than one person. It is unfortunate that humans do not have the brain capacity to learn every language or else communication would be a lot easier, not just with people who have autism, but with people all over the world. It was interesting to watch the video and read Baggs' interpretation on language and to get a small understanding on what people who face autism go through daily and in their lifetimes.
I do not believe that it is up to anyone to decide what is and what is not a language, or a form of communication. Everyone communicates with others in one way or another, either through spoken language or body gestures. American sign language is a widely used form of communication between the hearing impaired, and involves a communication tool which uses only hand movements. Does anyone remember creating a secret language with your friends when we were little? Things like that are forms of communication and should be considered a language, regardless of popularity. Autistic people need methods to communicate their thoughts and ideas to the world, and have succeeded in doing so for many years.
This article opened my eyes. I also read the article that is linked at the bottom of the one we were assigned. It talked about the movement of autistic people to garner respect for the different functioning of their brains, and to prevent children from enduring "therapies" that are potential human rights violations. I recommend this article for those of you who found the video intriguing. It does a good job of covering both sides of the issue - the viewpoints of parents of autistic children versus autistic adults and teens. It talks about how a child might throw a violent tantrum each time he must accompany his family to the supermarket. While Applied Behavior Analysis might eventually prevent the troublesome fits, it probably won't prevent the child from feeling physical pain and anxiety from exposure to fluorescent lighting and crowds of strangers. Many adult "sufferers" are asking society to stop trying to "cure" them of abnormal social behaviors.
While I don't have enough information to feel comfortable making a judgment, I am glad that I found out about this. I do feel that often times our society places too much emphasis on partaking in learned ritual behaviors which, for many people, have no real meaning. Language is deeply involved in these rituals; for example, we all have learned a set of specific verbal (and non-verbal) protocols used to perform reconciliation, when we have wronged or been wronged by someone. Although apologies and other well known strategies can sometimes convey true feelings, they often represent a cold, arbitrary sense of obligation, which in my opinion is no virtue.
Anyways, I found Ms. Baggs piece very interesting for two reasons: One, she "spoke" with complex, yet easily understandable SWE, seeming more coherent and intelligent than many college students I have met. Secondly, the importance to her of her immediate surroundings - natural or otherwise - reminded me of how disconnected we all seem from our environment. Our relationships with the natural world and even the objects that we create and accumulate in our human lives seem to have little to do with actual existence. Perhaps she has a point.
There is an unspoken arrogance brooding among Americans in regards to language. For some reason the majority seems to feel that no matter how they speak, since they speak it that way, it is correct. If you oppose, you must be wrong.
People from all over the world are entitled to communicate how they see fit, and just because it might not accommodate our language or the manner in which we ( American English) speak, it does not make it wrong or unqualified.
Amanda Baggs is communicating in the only way she knows how to. She shouldn’t be punished or thought less of due to her inability to communicate the way most people do; she just values certain concepts of communication differently than most.
I agree that it is not up to anyone to do say what is or what is not language. Most living things communicate in one way or another. Some children use odd ways of communicating with each other and with their parents. Just because the larger amount of the population does not use it, does not mean that it is not a language or not be considered one.
This article and topic just places me in an indifferent position. Ever since the "Asian-Teaching" and "AAE" articles, I've became more impervious to the ignorance derived in America. I feel that there are different languages, cultures, styles, entertainment and etc in society that people should diminish their biases and accept diversity. This brings me to the definition of enthocentrism in Sociology which is the belief of one's culture, in this case language, to be superior to the next. Language isn't something decided by a majority vote.
As far as "autism" is concerned, Amanda Bigg, as an American I assume, has every righteous notion to communicate in ways that are feasible to us. Just as a single mother would perform exotic dances to provide monetary funds for her child, the same applies here. In society, the mother would receive negative sanctions for her actions while Amanda would be looked upon as "weird" or "slow." The mother and Amanda are performing in ways that'll benefit their survival.
Why am I indifferent? I feel we've come to a point in the 21st century that "you just can't save them all." People beleive what they feel is reality. The best we (diversity supporters) can do is share our outlooks and continue with our lives.
After watching the video and reading the short article I was left with more questions than answers. Based on what little I know about Autism and what she said in the video, I don't see how Autism can be considered a language. The Autistic woman said herself that the water "represents nothing." She is instead having a conversation with the water. I would love to know how she types and is able to communicate through the computer voice. The video was interesting to watch, but at the moment I still do not see it as a language of its own.
It is unbelievable that people can form their own "languages" when communication is necessary and standard languages are, for some reason, not available. Although it is amazing, I would not consider it a language. To consider something as a true language I believe it would have to stand the test of time, be widely used, and not be slang derived from an existing language. Amanda could say it is her own person language; but, a widely used, studied and analyzed, sophisticated language? I do not believe so.
I don't belive you can make up languages of your own. However, if you can't speak a known language then do whatever it takes to communicate with others. If it means hitting things together then so be it. I wouldn't call it language I would call it communication. As long as the people Amanda is around everyday know what she is trying to get across that is what matters. If I were around an autistic person I would soon learn cues and what they were communicating. Just like being around an elderly man who talks withhis eyes and can't speak or a baby who uses noises but no language. We learn to understand them when we are around them all of the time, but it's not a language.
Communication is the use of gestures, symbols or by verbal means. It is not up to anyone to decide whether or not it is a language. People who are impaired use what they have within their means to communicate with the world, and someone who is concerned with interacting with others should bear in mind that not everyone is the same as him or her.
After watching the video and reading the article, I was amazed that she was able to communicate her message so clearly. I agree that Autism should not be considered a language. Also,I have met many autistic people and none are like Amanda. Autism has several symptoms and most people do not have the same symptoms. I understand that Amanda wanted to share her story with the world. I appreciate the message she is wanting to send out. She is right in saying that we all have a different way in communicating and no person should be look down upon for theirs. However, I agree with Danielle in that I have more questions now than when before I watched the video. I am amazed at her vocabulary and typing skills.
There are so many languages in this world. Languages exist without sound, like sign language and even body language. Each day, we speak in "languages" that dont require speaking. Who decides what is and is not a language? Any form of emotion or gesture can be read by any human being and this, in that sense, is language. If I could not speak but I had a mean look on my face, someone would know instantly that I am angry. I did not have to SPEAK anything, yet I got my point across. Language is so widespread and growing that it is unfair to try to classify languages, when it is merely a form of expression.
This video and article shows that there is still a lot to learn about Autism. As Christina pointed out, Amanda Baggs is the only person who uses this particular language. It seems that there needs to be a focus on autistic language. Is there a language that autistic children can learn more easily than our own? If so, then I feel that it is perfectly acceptable for autistic people to utilize this language. I’m not an expert on autism or education, so I do not want to make a statement on how to teach autistic children. However, it seems that more time and money needs to be spent to provide a proper education for these children. It does not seem fair to put these children in a public school classroom with other students who are not autistic. All children with autism should have access to specialized education where they can be taught in a way that is best for their situation.
I'm amazed at how this woman naturally communicates. This video opened up my eyes to a whole new form of communication I didn't even know existed. I think it's an incredible thing that she made the video because people who don't use her form of communication need to be aware that there are other ways to communicate with things in life. I find Amanda's story interesting and am amazed that people go through life assuming that if another person doesn't communicate like the majority of people, they are incompitent. People need to look at the various types of communication in the world, verbal and non-verbal, and stop being so ignorant when they can't understand a kind of communication they've never come across before.
Autistic communication should be considered a language of it's own. If there is a language to the deaf, such as sign language, then why can't there be a language for autistic people. Everyone has the right to communicate their ideas no matter how uncommon and different their methods. Americans have their own ideas of language. Many times Americans don't agree with foreigners speaking in their native tongues while in the presence of English speakers, but the whole world doesn't speak English. Amanda's language should be interpreted as should all autistic language. This will give autistic people the voice they never had.
I don't think that anyone has the right to decide what is or is not a language. Everyone has gestures or words that they use between their friends, sometimes they are completely made up words, but their friends know what they are saying. I don't think that it matters how people communicate as long as they are able to. Animals make all sorts of weird noises to communicate, yet no one doubts that they are talking. Having known an autistic child for a few years now, I am amazed. He is 13 now and nothing like Amanda, but he too has a hard time trying to talk to you. I think it just depends on how severe of a case they have. But I don't feel that anyone has the right to decide if their communication is a language.
Basic humanity dictates that people should be treated like people regardless of race, religion, or disability. People are supposed to help others function in society in order for society to function. This is true for a person with a terminal illness, or a mental challenge. We all either have someone in our families with some kind of disability or maybe have a disability ourselves, and we expect to be treated with what is an inalienable right to respect for life. If the people of the world would respect the lives of others who are unlike themselves, and not ask whether an autistic person's language is a kind of language or if AAE is a language, then the world would be a much better place!
I thought the video was very interesting. I regret to say that before watching this video, I would not have thought this was language and I was wrong. Amanda is communicating with her surroundings in a way that many people who can speak do not. I found the video to be very enlightening and informative. Like people from different countries who speak different languages, autistic people have their own languages. Each autistic person is different. Some can talk and some do not. They communicate in different ways and this is important to know. I believe this video is a good way educate people about autism.
I think that we should become more sensitive to the autistic language, and that if people knew more about the information in this video, they might be more apt to get to know them. I've known a few autistic children, but the only thing I've gathered from their parents is that "having one is hard". Perhaps if this information were more readily available to parents, the lives of both child and parent could be made easier.
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