Textbook Solution: I Speak Sign Language | Class 6 English Alive PDF Download

A. Read the lines from the poem and answer the questions.

I. My world may seem quiet for miles around

a. Who says these lines?

Ans: The speaker of the poem, who is a user of sign language, says these lines.

b. Why is this person's world quiet?

The speaker's world is quiet because they are deaf or hard of hearing.

Detailed Explanation:

Ans: The speaker indicates that they live in silence, likely due to a hearing impairment, which is why spoken language isn't useful to them, and they rely on sign language.

2. But for me it keeps your world within reach.

a. What does it refer to?

Ans: It refers to sign language.

b. Explain the phrase keeps your world within reach.

Ans: The phrase means that sign language allows the speaker to access, understand, and connect with the wider world around them.

Detailed Explanation:

Ans: Through sign language, the speaker can communicate, receive information, and interact effectively with others, thus bringing the experiences and communications that hearing people access through sound within their reach.

3. My language started small, but soon it grew

a. Which language is being referred to here?

Ans: The language referred to here is sign language.

b. Mention the figure of speech used in this line and explain it.

Ans: The figure of speech is a metaphor. The language is described as if it were a living entity that can start small and grow, indicating its development and expanding usage.

Detailed Explanation:

Ans: The metaphor emphasizes how sign language has evolved and expanded over time to become a fully developed language system used by many people.

4. I won't even blink at your rumbling belly!

a. Who says these lines?

Ans: The speaker of the poem, who uses sign language, says these lines.

b. Why will the person not blink?

Ans: The speaker won't react (blink) to stomach noises because they cannot hear them, emphasizing their hearing impairment.

Detailed Explanation:

Ans: This line humorously highlights how certain sounds, like a rumbling belly, do not affect the speaker because their primary mode of communication and perception is visual, not auditory.

5. You may look twice at what I call speech

a. What does the poet call speech?

Ans: The poet calls sign language "speech."

b. Why will others look twice at it?

Ans: Others might look twice because sign language is visually expressive and different from spoken language, making it unusual or intriguing to those not familiar with it.

Detailed Explanation:

The line captures the idea that sign language, while a fully functional form of communication, can appear unusual or novel to those who are used to verbal speech, thus drawing additional attention or curiosity.

6. But it's so much more for all its speakers

a. What does it refer to?

Ans: It refers to sign language.

b. Why is it so important for all its speakers?

Ans: Sign language is crucial for its speakers as it enables communication, expression, and interaction in the absence of sound, providing a vital connection to the world.

Detailed Explanation:

This line highlights the significance of sign language as not just a means of communication but a vital tool that enriches the lives of its users, allowing them to express themselves fully and interact meaningfully with others.

B. Answer the questions briefly.

Q1: Why is verbal speech of no use to the poet?

Ans: Verbal speech is of no use to the poet because they are deaf or hard of hearing and cannot hear spoken words.

Q2: How does the poet enjoy watching television programmes?

Ans: The poet enjoys watching television programs with subtitles, which provide visual text of the audio content, making it accessible.

Q3: According to the poet, what does sign language look like to others, and why?

Ans: To others, sign language may look like fun and games because it involves expressive gestures and movements, which can appear playful or unusual to those not familiar with its significance and structure.

Q4: How is the dictionary for sign language different from other dictionaries?

Ans: The dictionary for sign language is different because it is filled with pictures to visually represent the signs, unlike traditional dictionaries that use written definitions.

C. Think and answer the questions.

1. Communication, you see, doesn't have to be spoken. Explain this statement in the context of the poem.

Ans: This statement in the poem emphasizes that communication can be effective through non-verbal means like sign language, which is equally capable of conveying thoughts and emotions without sound.

2. Sign Language fixed a volume switch that started out broken. Explain.

Ans: This metaphor means that sign language provided a solution to the communication barrier faced by those who cannot hear, effectively 'turning on' their ability to communicate fully despite the 'broken' auditory channel.

3. What does the poet mean when she says that her language started small, but soon it grew?

Ans: The poet means that sign language began as a limited method of communication but has evolved and expanded into a rich, complex language used widely among the deaf community.

4. In your opinion, what kind of an attitude does the poet have?

Ans: The poet has a positive and proactive attitude, viewing sign language as a powerful and enriching tool rather than focusing on the limitations of not hearing.

5. Why do you think the poet wants to teach everyone sign language? What do you think will be its effect?

Ans: The poet likely wants to teach sign language to promote understanding, inclusion, and accessibility, enhancing communication across different abilities. The effect could be greater awareness and integration of the deaf community into broader societal interactions.