Transcriber: Chloe Harrouet Reviewer: Denise RQ
Every night, we go to sleep.
Every morning, we wake up.
For over ten years, I've been looking at how Deaf people
from all over the world,
are starting to wake up from their slumber.
How their lives are being transformed.
From an era of Deaf people living in a state of torpor,
where language cannot flourish,
and the possible is not realized,
contrast that with the awakening we are witnessing around the world,
sign languages are being recognized as equal with spoken languages.
[I'm possible. Nothing is impossible]
(video) Interviewer: You've changed!
Jiayi Zhou: Yes, I have! I've really found my Deaf identity.
I'm proud of using sign language.
Before, I would just read my books and not go out.
Now I'm proud of being Deaf and of sign language.
(on-stage) Goedele De Clerck: Deaf communities around the world
use their own sign language, and they have their own Deaf culture,
but they're flourishing by sharing their culture with one another.
It's really important for Deaf children
to meet Deaf researchers, Deaf teachers, Deaf filmmakers.
and realize they, too, can do it;
and even TEDx speakers.
[Ripple Effect of Empowerment]
(video) Aloysius N'jok Bibum: Deaf people aren't any different.
We're just like everyone else.
They may have a problem with it.
But I don't.
You know what I mean?
Man: I'm proud to be Deaf. I have absolutely no problem being Deaf.
Problems sometimes arise with people who don't know sign language,
but that's not a problem.
I'll teach them sign language.
Communications between us has been really hard, but it'll improve.
It'll be fine.
(on-stage) GDC: Deaf and hearing people, working together, as allies,
can lobby government, and better achieve sign language legislation
as a fundamental part of their human rights.
When Deaf people are being seen as equal in society,
they're able to flourish and realize their potential.
Are you ready to join?
(Applause)
Host: Thank you, Goedele.
I saw you applaud the other speakers like this.
Is this how you do it?
Another applause, please? This way.
Yes!
Translator: Yes it's visual, you can see ...
Host: Visual applause.
- ... we don't hear the clapping. - Oh, I see.
- So it's a visual applause. - We got your visual applause.
GDC: Thank you.
Host: A while ago, I saw a Deaf rapper, rapping in sign language,
which I was very surprised to see.
Is it because of the Internet these things can spread and travel around the world?
GDC: Deaf people love to travel.
Their communities are very small. They get to know them very quickly.
So, they really love to travel to other countries and meet Deaf people,
and see other faces, and other sign languages.
The Internet has definitely been a very visual means for us.
We don't have a written language, but we have a visual language,
so with the Internet, now things can be spread through videos.
Host: Is there such a thing as sign language poetry?
GDC: Yes, sign language actually has their own type of poetry, arts, dance,
you name it.
Like other languages, other cultures, the Deaf community has all those aspects.
Host: Could we find sign language poetry on YouTube?
GDC: Yes, you can just search "Deaf sign language" or "Deaf Poetry".
I do know one Deaf poet from Holland. His name is Wim Emmerik.
He's actually a world-known Deaf poet, he's made beautiful movies.
So you can check him out.
Host: Thank you very much, Goedele.