The Enchantment of Sign Language

The interest I nurtured on sign language is actually growing with the love of my hometown-Shanghai. In the past I hardly persuaded myself to love this "concrete Jungle", stuffed with all types of populations, unbearable noises, endless dizzy neon lights, and barbaric people till recently. Some very meaning measurements that Shanghai has taken impressed me a load.

As usual, I turn blind eye on the local TV programs except for daily news, but my mum is an absolute TV-goer, or what we say: couch potato, seemingly vegging out in front of the idiot box every day at home is her distinctive way for a pastime. She could recognize almost every domestic pop singer, film star or even paraphrase the scandals/rumors behind the scene, who then turns out to be my only information channel against latest fashion news taking place in Shanghai. I was introduced one entertainment program by her named "Great Man" competition, in which all the nominated good-looking boys, with nearly perfect figures and characters, came to compete against each other for this entitlement. Apparently, that certainly didn't catch my eyes except for one person, who was deaf-mute. All the communication between him and audiences through the whole competition counted on his sign language translator, to a handicapped, he must have spent twice as much as normal while he wants to achieve his target and outshine amongst the normal contestants. Albeit his failure in the finale, he's done his best to prove his excellence in his performance. The time he received a standing ovation and several curtain calls really touched me dearly. So did my mum.

I have no idea if sign language has merely become a fashion or the sympathy of each city dweller towards the handicapped has been arisen due to this program. To my amazement, since then, the increasing numbers of people have immersed themselves in learning sign language. I don't know if it's a bit overacted or something that we should have done ages ago, it is just a matter of time... Whatsoever, this considerable growth in sign language learning to certain extent has acted as a buffer to slow down the shrinking industry of sign-language translation. In addition, as Shanghai had a rehearsal on 2007 Disabled Olympics in the end of last year, the lack of voluntary sign-language translators appeared to be a big worry towards the local committee, which needed to be dissolved urgently before the game takes place this year. For them, it must be so marvelous to see that the positive effect and response towards this TV program as well as the constant celebrities' propaganda has put their heart at more ease than ever.

The whole city is on the run, I witness more and more people devote themselves to the charity activities, the awareness of the cares on the needy and disabled is soaring, to whom they like to give out as much as they could for help. Most of the media corps also switch their attention to how to raise funds for the poor, how to make use of the celebrities' influence to save orphans' life. of all what have been happening, the whole city is fully equipped itself in running a huge benevolent project to improve the overall living standard, due to which each of us seems to have certain responsibility to assume. I feel so excited and grateful to be one of them.

Considering my passable comprehension towards languages, along with my mum's big encouragement, I registered myself to study the basic sign-language in the approaching March, I dare not say how much I will contribute to my city, as well as the country, so long as I try my best, it would be enough to see my family do me proud.