When audio is low, people tend to turn up the volume. But what if getting the message across required more than turning up the speakers on a device?
Jackson Fowler, a freshman studying mechanical engineering, knows about putting in more work to communicate as he's navigating school through the lens of being Deaf.
“It’s a lot of extra work. I’m not just listening, but I also have to really dedicate myself to paying attention and watching the interpreters," Fowler said. "So taking notes and things at the same time can be tricky.”
But there’s more to his experience than multi-tasking.
“I’m kind of learning through someone else,” Fowler said.
And he said that it can be helpful, but it has often depended on the skillset of the interpreter.
“Typically with more skilled interpreters, it's easier because it's a lot clearer visually,” Fowler said.
And he explained here’s extra effort in his social life, too.
"There's not as many people who I think would be a really good person to hang out with because not many people know ASL or they're not really interested or things like that,” Fowler said.
Another student, Janea Wirig, shared that certain habits can feel extra isolating as she’s trying to connect.
“The general Deaf community hates it when people say, 'oh, I'll tell you later, I'll tell you later,' when a whole group is laughing about things, and you're like, 'what happened?'" Wirig said.
Ultimately, both said they appreciate it when people just try to reach out.
“Without an interpreter, a good experience is just that effort to communicate and to let me socialize with them outside of school itself, just being inclusive outside of that environment,” Wirig said.
“I’m not as unapproachable as some people may think. I’m really not that hard to talk to,” Fowler said.
While these students are both Deaf, Fowler noted that there are a variety of perspectives within the Deaf Community about communication and socializing.
If students are interested in learning ASL, BYU offers classes during the fall and winter semesters.