That was the question Jacques , my fellow passenger and I got chatting about on the flight over. Jacques and I both have Belgian blood we discovered but I had no real understanding of my Belgian heritage until we chatted over 11pm eve meal.
If he hadn't spoken English as well our exchange would have been limited by my rusty conversational French. The language we shared deepened our understanding of each other, our selves and our ancestry.
The dialect Jacques speaks is Walloon and its under threat of extinction because the language of stronger neighbouring economies are preferred by his younger relatives and neighbours. They no longer want to share his mother tongue. He feels his identity is in some ways being rejected.
Many deaf and hearing relatives, friend and work colleagues we meet in both UK and in Uganda struggle to maintain strong partnerships because of a lack of shared language. We see that both deaf and hearing could do more to enjoy shared language. Sometimes the solutions are technical, but usually there is need for both deaf and the hearing to admit they could do more to live, learn, earn and serve together.
Arua is hosting the National Deaf Camp and some deaf attending will gain their native language for the first time. The gradual transformation in their mood as they can begin to form new and deeper relationships is very moving to watch. We are encouraging hearing who want to build stronger friendships with their deaf relatives/friends to attend too. The effects are similar.
Think of the last time you were in a place where you didn't understand the alphabet let alone the words and then met someone who understood both that language and your own. How did your mood change ? That's why the camp is important. Thanks to those who partner us to help the camp happen. Ad
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