Sign language dinner raises awareness

The Emerson College American Sign Language Club held its annual Silent Dinner on March 14, an hour-long event encouraging those who are and aren’t fluent in sign language to communicate without using words for the duration of the meal.
“I’m excited to see so many people still interested in the club,” said Sara Blazic ’09, the club’s founder, who is deaf. She is currently an instructor of writing at Columbia University.
Blazic gave the keynote speech to attendees that included members of the ASL Club and the wider Emerson community.
American Sign Language speakers cheerfully signed throughout the meal and non-speakers were given an opportunity to learn their first words in sign language—“pizza,” “cheese,” and “napkin” to name a few—thanks to helpful signs posted around the room.
