Simultaneous Communication Exercises

Introduction
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Sign Families
Mime Sign Dictionary SimCom Vocabulary Building
Sign Families SimCom Vocabulary Building
SimCom Exercises

Simultaneous communication (SimCom) is talking and signing at the same time.  This is especially useful for the person who is late-deafened and hearing family and friends. When using SimCom you do not need to sign articles of speech (the, a, an).  You also do not need to sign any form of the verb to be (is, are, am).  This helps to de-clutter the sentence visually and keeps the focus on what’s visually important to communicate.

Continue to talk, by saying every word in the sentence, even if you do not know the sign, and keep the focus on signing the words you do know. The person you are communicating with has receptive abilities that may help with receiving the communication, whether it is auditory or speechreading abilities, or simply using guess work by filling in the signing gaps with the context of the topic.

A characteristic of a good SimCom student, is being able to express what one wants to express, even with a limited sign vocabulary. Starting to use SimCom now will help you to get your hands moving.  At first it may feel awkward and you may be worried you are not signing it exactly right. That’s all part of the learning process. You do not need to sign perfectly nor do you need to know every sign there is to express yourself! The desire to communicate is all you need! Use expression and gesturing to supplement the communication. Remember, you can always fingerspell a word that is visually important to the meaning of a sentence.

From the mime and sign families vocabulary, see how many phrases you can sign with what you now know.  This is a solution focused approach (“what’s strong and not what’s wrong”) to help people who have become deaf and their hearing allies, to start signing now by keeping the focus on what you do know and not what you do not know!

Below are some phrases and sentences to get you started on building your own creative list of working the sign vocabulary.  Try working on one group of 5 phrases at a time.  You do not have to be a fast signer.  It is more helpful for new signers to go slowly and practice the correct action.  As you learn, you will feel more comfortable and see how fun it can be to talk with your hands.

Look up the words in the video dictionary to sign the following phrases.  If you are oral, speak the phrases as you sign (simultaneous communication).  Use facial expressions to help show meaning.  It can help to think of yourself as acting out what you are saying.

Group 1

  • Drinking a cocktail
  • It is cold downstairs
  • Love ice cream
  • Putting on makeup
  • Hugging the baby

Group 2

  • A baby book
  • Where is the comb?
  • The bathroom is upstairs
  • Calling the dog
  • On the telephone.

Group 3

  • Contact lens tore
  • Hugging the baby
  • Calm down! Pray!
  • Team member
  • Congratulating the staff

Group 4

  • Fond of the violin
  • Marijuana addiction
  • The team is shooting baskets
  • Grab a mop
  • The library is quiet.

Group 5

  • It’s a confusing topic.
  • Turning down the request to bowl
  • Throwing in the towel!
  • Scolding the dog
  • Team member

Group 6

  • Loathe exercising
  • Zip the hood
  • Typing a book
  • Scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • Library funds

Group 7

  • Bride brushing hair
  • Beating bananas
  • Try the cold faucet
  • Where is the seasoning?
  • Tossing a salad

Group 8

  • Requesting a microphone
  • Fluttering eyelashes
  • Environmental emergency
  • Clinical chart
  • Legal form

Group 9

  • Good luck fencing
  • Hesitant to kayak
  • A calm nature
  • Baby loves puppets
  • The injection itches

Group 10

  • Baseball league
  • Health insurance
  • Semester class
  • Interviewing the staff
  • Economical ups and downs

Group 11

  • Negotiating policies
  • Atlanta legislature
  • Missionary praying
  • Put aside the gun
  • Accordion music

Group 12

  • Tie the apron
  • Wringing out the golf towel
  • Liberal atmosphere
  • Moral conditions
  • Volleyball team
  • Emergency huddle

Group 13

  • Poetry workshop
  • The Brownie group is canoeing.
  • Royal family
  • Agency staff
  • Family’s heritage

Group 14

  • Resume characteristics
  • Boston museums
  • Free cultural exhibit
  • Philadelphia orchestra
  • Basketball rally

Group 15

  • Regional traditions
  • Health background interview
  • A noble king
  • Qualifies to referee

Mime Signs Video Dictionary and Sign Families by NeoHear was authored by Lois N Maroney

Visit Lois’s website – Deafened Whisperer

Deafened Whisperer
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