Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia through Sign Poetry – Anthony Chong x Shane Gilchrist

Story by Anthony Chong and Shane Gilchrist

For many years, in spite of many Deaf associations established to promote Deaf well-being, Malaysian Deaf culture was not much promoted and nurtured. The slow progress in the Deaf community’s pride and confidence as a linguistic minority is due to a scarcity of resources, such as knowledge and technical skills i.e. Malaysian Deaf culture and Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) literature. 

There is no-one in Malaysia’s Deaf community who was experienced with BIM poems and collaborators Anthony Chong and Shane Gilchrist wanted to do something about it.

The project aims to empower Malaysian women Deaf community through poetry with the mentorship of well-known Northern Ireland-BSL poet, Paula Clarke, via Zoom meetings. This BIM poetry learning project participants were only made up of Deaf women and facilitated by women to promote women empowerment and provide a safe space for women to freely express themselves.

The remote online learning benefitted the Deaf participants, as it allowed a longer duration, i.e. 5 months to learn and practice in sign poetry and enabled them to keep in touch with Paula who is based in Belfast.

The project conducted a total of 21 sessions, each lasting 2 hours. The participants attended one or two sessions per week, based on the facilitators’ availability. They were guided by Paula to build their poetry signing skills with the support of two hearing poet-educators, Elaine Foster and Sheena Baharudin. Elaine taught the concept of poetry and faciliated the participants' experience of translating thoughts and feelings into the BIM language. Sheena shared with the participants how to convey Haiku using images through multimedia use.

As participants were briefed to design and develop poems of their own based on themes related to women’s issues, it was important to expose participants to signed poetry by Deaf women from other countries.Three UK guests were also invited to share their knowledge and experience with the participants. They were; Nadia Nadarajah, a famous poet & actress, Zoe McWhinney, a VV poet and Holly Lane, a diversity & inclusion manager. They were invited to discuss their work and the issues regarding women’s identities and language, amongst others. The former two guests spoke about techniques they used in their poem and visual vernacular work respectively, and Holly shared about Deaf women’s rights.

The participants' learning process were also guided by mentors and BIM experts Jessica Mak and Ho Koon Wei. Both were also instrumental in the participants' BIM poetry development. The mentors provided a supportive role throughout the programme, especially when participants struggled with their confidence as Deaf Malaysian women.

After 5 months of exchanges and development, the programme culminated with a showcase event on 26 February 2022. At the event, the participants proudly presented 6 new BIM poetry works, introducing melodiousness to the beautiful language of BIM, and becoming pioneer BIM.

poets, inspiring future generations of Deaf Malaysians.

Watch the full BIM Poetry showcase.

“The Emotions” by Qistina and Geja

“Solo Female Traveller” by Carmeela and Minori

“Neglected Women” by Jasmin and Aira

“Deaf Motherhood” by Geraldine and Annie

“Do Not Rape” by Ek Bin and Sey Gin

“Empower Women” by Loula, Annie and Haslita

Discover more Connections Through Culture collaborations here.

Check out the opportunities from British Council here.

Source: https://www.britishcouncil.my/empowering-deaf-women-malaysia-through-sign-poetry 

Let Your Hands Do The Talking

The programme was organised by SEGI Pharmacy Students' Association (SPSA) which was scheduled to be held on 27 February 2022 through Zoom Meeting. Mr Kevin Mak was the speaker. He talked about the Deaf community, culture and BIM. Around 40 university students attended the event. 

Release of BIM Poetry Show: Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia Through Sign Poetry

This is a British Council Connections Through Culture programme supported showcase of new poetry works by Malaysian Deaf women in English and Malaysian Sign Language (which is known as BIM). BIM is not just an acronym but an identity of the Deaf community. 

A virtual poetry event that celebrates Malaysian Deaf women’s poetry in their language was premiere this Saturday, 26 February 2022 at 8.30pm. Called Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia Through Sign Poetry. 

This Saturday’s show is the culmination of a five-months-long online collaboration, started in 2021 between Malaysians and British & Irish artists/educators. 13 Malaysian Deaf women took part in the training. British Council Malaysia


BIM poetry show by Malaysian Deaf Women https://youtu.be/Amrx1TUPn5c 

BIM Poetry “The Emotions” by Qistina and Geja https://youtu.be/g9hcQ7O10sc 

BIM Poetry “Solo Female Traveller” by Carmeela and Minori https://youtu.be/Xe1tiFpSFyE 

BIM Poetry “Neglected Women” by Jasmin and Aira https://youtu.be/1pwwCyd6SDk 

BIM Poetry “Deaf Motherhood” by Geraldine and Annie https://youtu.be/HxZJCmMebWo 

BIM Poetry “Do Not Rape” by Ek Bin and Sey Gin https://youtu.be/jeo1AGjBH6k 

BIM Poetry “Empower Women” by Annie, Loula and Haslita https://youtu.be/C-2ZLaRoABk

Razi: Malaysian Sign Language subject sets to pave the way for the deaf

Razi holds the BIM-English-Malay dictionary. – Photo by Galileo Petingi

KUCHING (Feb 21): Early childhood education institutions in Sarawak are encouraged to provide early exposure to sign languages and also for government to consider making Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) an elective subject in school.

These were among the issues raised during the ‘Deaf Empowerment Workshop 2022’ held at a hotel here from Feb 18 to 20, joined by 50 participants from over 20 associations and government agencies.

“It is one of the efforts to support the development of Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) in the state and the federal government, through Ministry of Education (MoE), has a special school in Jalan Matang here, teaching sign language,” said Assistant Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development II Mohammad Razi Sitam.

He also commended Dr Anthony Chong from Universiti Malaya, who is deaf, and his team for their effort and congratulated them for publishing the first complete sign language dictionary in the country.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Social Welfare Department director Noriah Ahmad said BIM has become the main focus as it is the way for the deaf community to communicate with others, and that they hope to have a minimal target of at least 50 per cent of students acquiring the skills of sign language.

Noriah Ahmad

“Targeted BIM course for specific groups such as healthcare workers has also been proposed,” she added.

She said Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah had made the call for early childhood education institutions to provide early exposure to sign languages during a workshop titled ‘Voices to be Heard’ held in September last year.

The Deaf Empowerment Workshop 2022 which ended yesterday witnessed 50 participants from over 20 associations and government agencies, including Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD), Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM) and Sarawak Deaf Youth Association (SWDY).

Borneo Post Online

BY GALILEO PETINGI ON FEBRUARY 21, 2022, MONDAY AT 8:01 AM

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/02/21/razi-malaysian-sign-language-subject-sets-to-pave-the-way-for-the-deaf/

Enhancing communication with the deaf

KUCHING: Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) should be taught and exposed to every level of society to improve communications with the deaf and mute.

Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Assistant Minister II Mohammad Razi Sitam said that learning sign language should start from early childhood education.

“This should be taught to children as early as three years old, thus promoting the importance of BIM so that everyone can master the language in the future.

“When our people know sign language, relations with the deaf community can be strengthened as well as understanding each other through such communication,” Razi said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating at the closing ceremony of Deaf Empowerment Workshop 2022 at a hotel here on Sunday (Feb 20).

Some 50 representatives from over 20 associations and government agencies attended the three-day workshop, from Feb 18 to 20.

The participants were from Sarawak Deaf Sports Association (SSDeaf), Persatuan Seni dan Budaya Pekak Sarawak, Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development (KWKPK), Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM), Sarawak Deaf Youth Association (SWDY), Pusat Pemulihan Samarahan (PPS) as well as participants from outside Sarawak.

According to Sarawak Welfare Department (JKMS) director Noriah Ahmad, the workshop was aimed at empowering non-governmental organisations (NGO) and agencies to communicate effectively and efficiently especially when dealing with the deaf communities.

“We also empower agencies and NGOs involved to achieve their goals to reach out to these special people.

“That is why we emphasise on the use of BIM in our society. The deaf communities are not people with disabilities (PwD) but they have different ways to communicate using the sign language,” said Noriah.

She also suggested to have workshop sessions involving the media for them to learn BIM to better communicate and understand the deaf communities.

“We know BIM is the solution to solve communication problems with them. If we can interact using sign language, we become more understanding of each other,” she asserted.

Reported by Alverdtekoster Anyap

Published 20 February, 2022

Source: https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/enhancing-communication-with-the-deaf/

Deaf Empowerment Workshop

Bengkel Pemerkasaan Pekak yang dianjurkan oleh Persatuan Orang Pekak Sarawak pada 18-20 Februari 2022. Dr Anthony Chong dijemput untuk memberi ceramah tentang budaya dan identiti Pekak kepada orang Pekak yang tinggal di Sarawak dan juga beberapa orang yang bukan Pekak melibatkan diri mereka dalam pembangunan polisi khasnya untuk orang Pekak. Lebih kurang 50 orang hadir dalam bengkel itu.

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Deaf Empowerment Workshop organized by the Sarawak Society for the Deaf on 18-20 February 2022. Dr Anthony Chong was invited to give a talk about Deaf culture and identity to Deaf people living in Sarawak and also some non-Deaf people to involve themselves in the development of its special policy for Deaf people. About 50 people attended the workshop.

BIM Poetry: Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia Through Sign Poetry

It is time now! Deaf women are ready to shake the world! Do not miss this opportunity. They will reveal their poetry work. It is important for the Deaf community in Malaysia. BIM poetry is part of our culture and identity. 

Date: 26 February 2022 Saturday (8.30pm - 10.30pm Malaysia time)

Surprise! 20 BIM Dictionary copies will be given away through a lucky draw! 

Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/BIMpoetry   

This event is organised by MyBIM (Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association) and supported by British Council. 

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