“Sign language is my first language. English and Spanish are my second languages. I learned Spanish from my grandparents, sign language from my parents, and English from television.” FirstsLanguageParentTelevisionGrandparentSign Language Author:Jack Jason
“When I grew up, there were no teletypewriters or video calls, so I primarily interpreted phone calls. At that time, where I lived, it wasn't embarrassing to have Deaf parents; it was cool to be able to speak a different language than everyone else.” DifferentAbleSpeakLanguageParentGrewGrew UpPhonesVideoEmbarrassingDeafPhone CallsDifferent Languages Author:Jack Jason
“When Marlee [Matlin] won her Oscar, she said, "and I just want to thank my parents." When I was saying those words for her, I knew my parents were in the audience. I was saying it for her and a little bit for myself, even though I wasn't saying it in sign language and they didn't understand what I was saying.” WantLittlesSaidLanguageBitsParentAudienceLittle BitOscarsSign Language Author:Jack Jason