By Abdullah Al Tekreeti
Language is exciting. Humanity is nothing but a species that has reached the zenith of its excellence through language. However, despite how magical the spoken language can be, the ingenuity of humanity supersedes it by lightyears. A bold claim, I know, but the mere existence of sign language is evidence of this.
Despite dominant misconceptions, sign language is not some makeshift pseudo-language that is somehow inferior to the spoken word, far from it, in fact. Sign language has a deeply rich and complex history, spanning empires, inquisitions and first contact with indigenous peoples. Still, however, it’s surrounded by myths and misconceptions.
One common misconception about sign language is that it’s either completely like the spoken language in whichever location it’s used, and the other is that it’s completely unrelated.
Truth is, American Sign Language users could understand next to nothing from British Sign Language users, despite English being the common language. Likewise, sign language does not exist in a vacuum; like other languages, it may borrow certain features from the spoken word.
Personally, I wouldn’t have learned these facts were I left to my own devices. But it’s hard not to discover them when the president of your local American Sign Language Association is Lujain Khalil.
Khalil is a student at the American University of Sharjah, she’s double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics, but most importantly, she’s spearheading AUS’s ASL initiative.
The Initiative
First and foremost, it is important to clarify that the ASL initiative does not teach, it only helps foster an engaging environment where students can learn more about deaf and hard-of-hearing culture as well as ASL. This caveat is brought up by Khalil at almost every ASL event as she’s adamant that no one among them is a teacher; instead, they’re all friends on the path of learning.
Every week, the club meets for an hour-long session where they learn new signs together, watch silent movies and talk about their lives completely in ASL.
The ASL President said that it was important for her to use the widely available online resources as it encourages the club’s members to continue learning outside of the initiative’s hours.
Khalil’s sister, Tuleen Khalil, also a member of the initiative, said “honestly, at first, I joined as a way to support my sister, but after the first couple of classes, I realized that there was a whole language that I could learn. The atmosphere, the people, the subject matter itself really drew me in.”
“I’m not fluent in ASL myself, but that’s why it’s fun to come to every session, I always learn something new.”.
Under Khalil’s guidance, the ASL initiative has hosted many workshops that aim to help educate and bring awareness to their cause. They held several themed workshops, including a Ramadan workshop where they introduced students to Ramadan-related hand signs.
The initiative also organized a bake sale fundraiser where customers had to sign the particular baked dish they wanted in order to get it. All money raised was then given to AUS’s community services department who in turn donated it to the Red Crescent.
Khalil said that one of her prouder achievements was a workshop the initiative hosted in collaboration with the Sharakah program that brought in high school students to learn the fundamentals of ASL.
“It was an incredible experience. I mean, seeing these adorable kids listen to me explaining what certain signs were and how we use them made my day,” she added.
During her tenure as President, Khalil has taken it to new heights by exploring different types of activities, bringing in new audiences and starting extensive outreach programs. Now, it’s time to get to know the woman who does it all behind the scenes.
Madam President Lujain Khalil
Leading an initiative about a language you have no personal attachment to requires a very particular kind of person. Coincidentally, the exact kind of person is the one who would practically work themselves to the bone while maintaining a commercial-perfect smile throughout.
Khalil’s self-admitted perfectionist and overachieving personality led her to be the ASL president, College of Arts and Sciences representative, freelance math tutor, grader and data analyst. Quite a mouthful, isn’t it?
“I’ve found that the best way to learn ASL is to sign literally whatever you say, at this point I do it unconsciously.”
Well, it certainly isn’t a walk in the park, but the Madam President manages regardless.
Her incessant need to do something extends further than chasing her every whim. Rather, Khalil never sits idle; she strives to excel in every undertaking. Depending on her task, she’ll introduce new people to ASL, explain additional complex math equations to her tutee and help others with their own data analysis.
“Honestly, it just makes me feel good. I don’t like sitting down with nothing to do,” she said.
She maintains that there is no one size fits all answer for time management between different projects. Khalil explained that one of her key tenants is the 5-minute rule. Basically, if a task can be done in five minutes, then she will do it immediately and without delay. According to her, this small change has eliminated a significant amount of procrastination from her life.
Despite being a busy woman, she detests deadlines and prefers to take her time with her work. Khalil’s projects don’t lend her much leeway in terms of flexibility; yet, she says that it’s this fast-paced nature that lets her savor her free time.
Though her work involves a significant amount of socializing, Khalil’s said on multiple occasions that nothing lets her focus on her work better and unwind than a good cup of hot chocolate and a thorough rereading of “Pride and Prejudice.” She’s not one to shy away from ditching her favorite book to teach you or me some new signs, and she also expects us at her next ASL sessions.
