Sign language is sometimes seen as a useful tool for deaf children, for as long as they're unable to understand speech. They think that once the CI works properly, sign language becomes unnecessary. As if sign language is a temporary solution to a problem, that will eventually be unnecessary. However, Sign Language of the Netherlands is a language like any other: it doesn't only serve as a way to transmit information, but also to express feelings and needs and to be creative with it. Did you know that there is sign language poetry, for example? By learning sign language, children gain access to the deaf community, where they can feel at home for the rest of their lives, regardless of how well they're able to hear or understand speech. This means it's very important for deaf childrent to grow up bilingually, with spoken language, as well as sign language. That way they don't just learn two languages, they become part of the deaf community and get in touch with deaf culture. In the same vein, children who grow up learning two spoken languages don't necessarily learn a solution to communicative issues (if one of their parents speaks German or Arabic, for example), but rather they grow up with a different language and a different culture. This will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Elsewhere on the internet
Scientific literature
- Tom Humphries, et al., Language Choices for Deaf Infants: Advice for Parents Regarding Sign Languages
- N.K. Mellon, et al., Should all deaf children learn sign language?