Today, I learned that superiority in gender exists even in sign language, may it be for Filipino or English. We sign for male references with our hands on top of our cheeks while all female references should be signed below the cheeks.
A photo after the sign language workshop with Teacher Lena (top) and fellow workshopper Jecca (left) (and of course, the late comer me, fudge) at Cats and Crumbs in Marikina City. Looking forward to joining the Level 2 workshop. See those furry friends on the sides? Cats and Crumbs is the first cat café in the city. Photo taken by fellow workshopper. Her name was Joy if I remember it right... Sorry!!
We're proud of Teacher Lena!
It's not surprising given sign language started in France and French is a gendered language. "La" for feminine and "Le" for masculine. Le policier is a policeman; la policière is a policewoman. It doesn't have a neutral grammatical gender hence objects are gendered, too. Examples: Le stylo (pen is masculine) L'argent (shortened le argent, money is masculine), la pisine (swimming pool is feminine). And of course, the English Language has gendered pronouns.
L-R: Teacher Ghe and Teacher Lena introducing our deaf friends Jannet and Jeffrey. Our new friends were so patient in teaching us how to sign words. Now I know how to sign "I'm hungry."
Despite that, I believe that language, whatever form it takes, is universal. Learning how to sign makes it more accessible to communicate with our deaf-mute brothers and sisters who, most of the time, are part of the marginalized communities.
Side note: Maganda ring pang practice ng dexterity ang sign language!
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What do you think, Awesome?