“Peace”, “Ok”, and the shaka (commonly known as the “surfer” sign) are all universal signs that are historically significant from Churchill’s “Victory” sign to Hawaiian surfing culture. This goes to say that language is much more than spoken words and underscores one of human’s greatest assets: our hands.
There are more than 300 different sign languages in the world, including American Sign Language (ASL). However, according to the US Bureau of Labor, job growth for interpreters and translators is only expected to increase 2% from 2023-33. Within this 2%, comes Rohnan Steele.
Steele is a senior and will be pursuing ASL to become an interpreter. After graduation, Steele plans to study one year at the Indiana School for the Deaf in Indianapolis and three years at IUPUI which provides an ASL major.
Steele began learning ASL in elementary school as a requirement in special education classes to communicate with his peers. Since then, Steele has continued his studies of ASL at South and plans to continue his passion.
It’s unique for Steele to pursue ASL interpretation, as he comes from a family of lawyers and teachers, but he is thankful for their support.
Steele finds that English and ASL contrast from the ways we perceive and communicate sound. Although evident, It is important to note that ASL is its own language with its own specific rules and nuances, separate from English.
Steele believes that in regard to acknowledgement and prominence, ASL is becoming more recognized even if most advancements aren’t inclusive.
“[T]here’s so many alternatives to ASL… there’s cochlear implants, there’s speech therapy, and there’s these other things, but those were hearing person creations put onto deaf people,” Steele said, “I think since there’s more awareness and…respect to the deaf community, [ASL is] becoming more normalized.”
At South, Steele has many great ASL teachers, such as Sarah Lee, Kelli Webb, and Lydia New. Currently, Steele takes Lydia New’s class where she integrates ASL into the classroom.
“[S]he doesn’t speak to us in class, which is great because what I’ve found is that’s the best way to learn the language,” Steele noted, “I’ve been enjoying her class so far. I like her teaching style. I like her personality, and I think it’s amazing to have an ASL course here at South.”
