Communicating with their deaf friend is what a dozen women from the city of Angoulême wanted to do by creating an intensive sign language learning group. Mouna, Tunisian, arrived in France two years ago. This deaf and mute mother could not integrate into the life of the neighborhood. To help her, her friends decided to learn French sign language. A project led by the MJC Mosaïque de la Grande-Garenne in Angoulême. A breath of fresh air for Mouna who can finally communicate with others without the help of her children: “She really trains every day, she learns but it’s better to meet people. She understands as she goes,” says Mouna’s translator.
During these workshops, the participants were above all able to share real moments of conviviality, mutual aid and benevolence. “I find it extraordinary, it’s a new light that opens to us, the father of my children is deaf mute, it will allow us to communicate more”, reports Alba.
Katy Dupont has been teaching French sign language since 2017 but she had never formed a group like this. A scenario that reflects their objective: to get deaf people out of their isolation. “It’s really a very beautiful team project, of solidarity, it’s a life project, it’s very beautiful”, rejoices the trainer.
This training has aroused real interest among the participants, who do not intend to limit themselves to introductory courses. In four six-hour lessons, the students discovered a new language: an additional skill, which for some is essential. “Our projects are aimed at everyone, but this type of public does not come to the center because there is no specific activity for them. It is also up to us to reach out to these people” , says Ouarda Mansouri, family referent of the socio-cultural center MJC Mosaïque.
From March, new workshops should open to the public, as well as meetings in sign language, and why not, a course for children.
For anyone who wants to start French sign language, here is a short video that describes the basic principles of fingering.