1997 Volume 34 Issue 4 Pages 11-18
As part of a study on the significance of various language media in the social activities of persons with hearing impairments, the selective use of language media for communicating and the usefulness of sign interpreters in different circumstances were investigated. The data were collected from a survey conducted in 1991 by mailing questionnaires to persons with severe hearing impairments living in Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures. Responses were received from 1,700 males and females, between the ages of 20 to 70. Responses to the items regarding the use of oral and manual methods and conversation by writing were analyzed with regard to their efficiency in different circumstances. The following results were obtained: Use of language media and their efficiency differed significantly depending on the circumstances for the use of language in daily life, such as for travel, at municipal or police offices and hospitals, at the entrance and graduation ceremonies of their children, at meetings of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA), or for understanding announcements at railway stations or in buses and trains; assistance from sign interpreters and accompanying persons was useful in some circumstances.
