What people think about MDC

Wally, I wanted to write to you in response to your commentary about your grammar usage; Take it from me- I’m 27, I hold a professional master’s degree and am told I have a fairly high language possession. None of these are bragging rights, they are just merely facts. I wanted to share with you a few things; One, as someone somewhat distanced from full immersion in deaf community interaction- your emails are warm and bring a touch of “the deaf way” to me. I fully appreciate that they have not been run through a “grammar filter” for correction. ... -- S. G.

Wally -- I read your message about bad grammar. I understand your circumstance. I have struggled with English and grammar for a long time. I don't mean to be "ego." Now my English and grammar is very good. To be honest, I notice you had made a few mistake, but I understand you just fine. It's important that I understand. And it's important that you made your message clear and understanding. -- R. J.

Wally, You wrote a great article that really should be educational for hearing people. R. A.

Hey Wally! When I was reading about "Deaf Grammar" and that made me so mad because I thought your grammar is so great! Yes, I agree with you that man DID NOT UNDERSTAND the DEAF WAY! Oh! Maybe he actually forgot that our first language is AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE! That man needs to go back to school to learn ASL Grammar. I am Deaf myself and went to the school to take ASL Grammar class in Indianapolis, IN. I learned so much from the class. I told my Deaf teacher that, "my English is not so great", but she remind me that my first language is ASL. I really proud of you that you did a good job with newsletter with lots of good information! Don't let that man bothering you! Have a good day! K. M.

WALLY GOOD FOR YOU! NO ONE IS PERFECT... JUST KEEP DOING THE GOOD WORKS ON THE NEWSLETTER. I ENJOYED READING IT VERY MUCH! TO ME, DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT OTHER SAY ABOUT YOUR "BAD GRAMMAR". I TOO ISN'T PERFECT! S. M.

Wally, I really don't care much about your grammar skills while writing newsletters. As native Memphian and I lived in Memphis almost all of my life beside living in dc and moved to Knoxville about two years ago, I find your emails and website informative regardless your language, I understand pretty much of it. You did wonderful job doing this, without this Memphis deaf community wouldn't have grow that much over the years . Unfortunately there are people like that. I do have to be very professionalism and have perfect English in my daily log while dealing with customers at work but there were times that I make mistakes on my part which is normal for many deaf people and other people, no one is perfect, right?... However It is your website, you have come long way from 20 emails to 900 emails. Who cares what this person thinks?... I have seen people written bad, I mean BAD and they're hearing and there is tons of people with bad English but successful in life in many different ways, sure they might not make 100k a year but we success in many different way and we're rich in many different ways as well. here's my few cents of writing email :-) M. K.

Wally I cannot tell you how much I appreciate what you do! My youngest sister is deaf (from a birth injury). Our mother was so determined that she be given the same opportunities in life and be treated the same as me and our other sister, that she wouldn't allow sign language in our home. So, my sister didn't learn sign language until after I had married and left home. My deaf sister now lives with me and my husband. I have been learning sign language (but at age 70, I'm a slow learner). I don't look at the sign language differences as "bad grammar". I look at the differences this way: Spanish and Italian and French have different grammar structures than English as well. Why should the sign language be troubled with the "the's. an's, etc." And typing in your mind, to me perfect! Sincerely. S. G.

Wally, I am hearing as you know from my past emails. I made a website for the alumni from my Alma Mater. I understand completely how it hurts when people say things about my website. NO ONE wants to help but they are quick to judge us. Keep your head up and keep doing what enjoy doing, and that is the MDC News letter. If, I can be of any help let me know. I would be happy to help read the news letters before they are posted. For His Glory, K. T.

Wally, Keep doing what you do and be encouraged...You are doing a great work! As you know, I am hearing and my granddaughter, LaDerica is deaf. It upsets me that people are so limited in foresight, discernment and intelligence that they do not understand that hearing people pick up a lot of things, incidently, that deaf and hard of hearing persons struggle to receive (grammatically and linguistically) because of varying degrees of hearing loss that may causes sound to be garbled or distorted. Again, keep doing what you are doing and be encouraged!!! M. A.

Wally, You know I am hearing, CODA interpreter. With that being said, I want
you to know that I support you 100% for all the work and time you put
into MDC. It does not matter if the grammar is perfect. The point of MDC
is to inform the deaf community, and I for one want to commend you
(meaning big claps and pat on back...bravo) for all you have done. The
Memphis Deaf community sat in silence many years before you started this
website/listserv and it has really brought the communities of Deaf,
hard-of-hearing, and hearing all together to celebrate ASL, Deaf
culture, and each other more. Wally, please post this so those that feel the need to insult your grammar will see what a great service this does and that your hard work is appreciated from many. Keep up the good work, no matter grammar bad, good, NO MATTER! Thanks! S. C.

Hey, Wally I'm your second about ASL grammar, I'm so proud of ASL grammar and I don't care what did they understand or not. They have to face to face same with us, We (deaf people) have been hard time face to face with hearing world. And have to accept our ASL grammar or different English.. I'm SUPPORT my ASL, that's period....... Your MDC eNewsletter are the best what I got many information from our Deaf world!!! Hey, You are GREAT job!!! M. K.

WALLY WHO THAT DEAF MAN???? HE IS SUCK AND KNOW NOTHING ABOUT "DEAF WAY"!!!!! I'M SURPRISED HE IS DEAF!!!! I WANT TO KNOW WHO HE IS???????? BUT YOUR MDC NEWSLETTER IS PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEEEASE STAY ON MDC NEWSLETTER I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! M. U.

Wally, I am shocked that someone would tell you that your bad grammar is an embarrassment to the public. I am a hearing person and I understand perfectly what you are saying. Your information is clear and the way you write it is clear and easy to understand. I wonder if the man who sent that to you really knows the true definition of grammar? His sentence: "It's just an embarrassment to public with your bad grammar" is bad grammar itself. His sentence should have been written: "Your poor grammar is an embarrassment for MDC and the deaf community". How can your bad grammar be an embarrassment to public? That doesn't make sense. That's not how the English language is written. I think you are doing a wonderful job of communicating your information to everyone on different educational levels. Keep up the excellent hard work! -K. Cantrell

Wally, This is Celeste. (Ricky's Singapore ice skating Deaf friend.) I just want to tell you I understand your newsletter. Wt is perfect! who cares about bad grammar! You have a good heart!! Celeste

Wally, I think it's fine if your grammar is not perfect. Most people (hearing
included) are far from having perfect grammar. Don't worry about it.