Summary Of Seeing Voices By Oliver Sacks

Section one Preface
Seeing Voices is a mind opening book that gives you different lenses to look through. Oliver Sacks, the author explains the introduction of sign language, the roots of learning language, and one of the greatest historic moments in deaf history. At first, he had no curiosity in sign language or deaf culture. However, this changed when he read a book about the history of deaf. He discussed this subject with a colleague, who has work with many deaf people. Oliver Sacks then dives deeper into the research about the deaf. “Seeing Voices” continues with history behind sign language and the importance of it. There were debates weather sign or speech should be the major education for deaf students. Sadly it was decided, to teach …show more content…
These children lacked language and development skills that their peers had obtained. The author asked himself: “does deafness affect intelligence?” The author observes and analyzes two different schools in different locations with deaf students. One school contained students, who live in unstable homes or homes that do not allow growth with their language skills. The students at the other school live in more secure homes that allowed proper growth in communication with others, and their school had deaf teachers, native signers, which lead to more developed educated confident students. This concluded the author’s research and questions about deafness affecting intelligence. Hearing (and not hearing) does not drive curiosity or encourages thought, it is language that fuels curiosity. Oliver Sacks goes into depth with the roots of learning languages. We never acquire language by ourselves, we were taught by our moms (dads, teachers or both parents). The author finds this passage: “Mothers talk with their children, do so very differently, and tend to be more often at one side or the other of a series of dichotomies. Some talk with their youngsters and participate in primarily dialogue; some primarily talk at their children. Some mainly support the actions of their offspring, and if not, provide reasons why not; others primarily control the actions of their children, and do not explain why…” Clearly, language shapes the mind at even an early age. The author shared his positive and incredible experience about a girl, Charlotte, who was born deaf. He first read how Charlotte’s parents were angry, scared, and lost when they learned their infant was could not hear. However, they understood that it was required to learn sign language to communicate with their daughter. After