Entire Neighbourhood Secretly Learns Sign Language To Surprise Deaf Neighbor
Muharrem, a deaf man living in Istanbul, just received a huge surprise when, one morning, everyone he bumped into in his neighborhood responded to him with sign language!
A team of people from Samsung and the Leo Burnett ad agency spent a month setting up cameras and teaching people throughout his neighborhood sign language. On the appointed day, Ozlem went for a walk with her deaf brother, who was stunned to meet so many signing people in a world where those who can communicate in sign are often few and far between.
The ad was designed to raise awareness about Samsung’s new call center for the deaf and hard-of-hearing in Turkey. It’s nice to see advertisements that can both raise awareness and make the world a better place.
More info: samsungduyaneller.com (h/t: pcmag)
Muharrem’s neighbors spent a month secretly learning sign language
Hidden cameras were placed throughout his neighborhood
One day, Muharrem, a deaf man living in Istanbul, and his sister Ozlem headed out for a walk…
…and were greeted with an unexpected “good morning” – in sign language!
The local baker was in on it too, offering bagels in sign language
This man at the grocer’s dropped his oranges and when Muharrem and Ozlem picked them up for him…
…he offers them each an apple – in sign language
Muharrem’s confused – why is everyone signing?
Et tu, taxi driver?
This man is confused, but his sister knows what’s up
As they head to the town square, the team prepares for the finale
He’s surrounded by his signing neighbors!
His reaction says it all!
This goes to show how important it is to break down communication barriers…
…and how meaningful that can be for people who experience those barriers every day
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It is pretty easy to learn, most signs kind of look like what you are saying. Some communities host silent dinners or lunches where deaf people and people learning sign chat together over a meal. Most deaf people are really open to people learning sign but they also sign really fast so it is always acceptable to ask them to sign slowly and more at your pace.
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Dammit! Who brought out the onions? This is not the time to cut vegetables!
If I would be in Muharrem's position, I think I would just freak out that everyone suddenly uses sign language XD
Your story was incredible...what you did for one person will be multiplied tenfold! Thank you for sharing!
Love this. This makes him less a minority&part of society even more.The more inclusion, the better society.
awesome.. an entire neighborhood came together to make one person very welcome :)
Sign language is very interesting. Did you know that SL are also universal? Almost every country has their own sing language and most of them also have several sign languages according to the region. You can learn more about sign languages on http://linguaholic.com/topic/4008-why-sign-language-cant-be-international/
Reading this article encouraged me to write one of my own. It really gives you a glimpse of the deaf, by highlighting how elated most are when they notice someone using their language. Once the Deaf realize you sign, it brings this indescribable glow to their whole face. As a hearing person fully submersed in the Deaf Community, there are 3 things that make the deaf community so amazing. Click the link below to find out! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-deaf-community-amazing-from-hearing-persons-amanda-martin
Just wonderful, if a company is going to advertise this is definitely the way to go!! What a lovely surprise for Muharrem. :)
It is beautiful. So many people worked together to make one person feel less isolated.a gift of caring! :-)
Very humanizing. If only we can all do this every day for our beloved ones.
Beautiful, fantastic- we need more of this in the world. Congratuitous to all that took part. To Samsung - Way to go!
Lovely. In another culture, it might have backfired. I am wondering if the young man was somehow hand-selected b/c it's all a little pat.
There had to be a commercial angle to it. Why couldn't people just have done this from the kindness of their hearts?
This is so nice of them all to do... and they didn't need to do it either!
brilliant. i wish it was taught to every child in the world, then language wouldnt be a barrier when people travel to other countries.
Brilliant, great to see an advert that has meaning by changing the lives of others.
It might be a commercial but I didn't notice that til I read the comments. Had to watch again to see the little "samsung" logo in the corner
i think this was amazing for every one to do this that people will go out of there way to help other people
You people are terrible! I got all choked up reading this story. Marvellous campaign. Bravo.
I am deaf, it is so beautiful story! I want my neighbors do learn sign language so I could chat...
Restoring faith in humanity which is hard to find these days. Heartwarming. Touched a chord in the heart. Bravo!
Simply heartwarming. So many beautiful minds doing their bit to restore faith in humanity which is so hard to see these days. Bravo!
We need to do more kindness like this in our today daily lives. Agree, this is indeed beautiful story and touching. Good job samsung!
Awesome! Can't think of anything else. Samsung just scored major brownie points in my book.
It is pretty easy to learn, most signs kind of look like what you are saying. Some communities host silent dinners or lunches where deaf people and people learning sign chat together over a meal. Most deaf people are really open to people learning sign but they also sign really fast so it is always acceptable to ask them to sign slowly and more at your pace.
Load More Replies... Dammit! Who brought out the onions? This is not the time to cut vegetables!
If I would be in Muharrem's position, I think I would just freak out that everyone suddenly uses sign language XD
Your story was incredible...what you did for one person will be multiplied tenfold! Thank you for sharing!
Love this. This makes him less a minority&part of society even more.The more inclusion, the better society.
awesome.. an entire neighborhood came together to make one person very welcome :)
Sign language is very interesting. Did you know that SL are also universal? Almost every country has their own sing language and most of them also have several sign languages according to the region. You can learn more about sign languages on http://linguaholic.com/topic/4008-why-sign-language-cant-be-international/
Reading this article encouraged me to write one of my own. It really gives you a glimpse of the deaf, by highlighting how elated most are when they notice someone using their language. Once the Deaf realize you sign, it brings this indescribable glow to their whole face. As a hearing person fully submersed in the Deaf Community, there are 3 things that make the deaf community so amazing. Click the link below to find out! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-deaf-community-amazing-from-hearing-persons-amanda-martin
Just wonderful, if a company is going to advertise this is definitely the way to go!! What a lovely surprise for Muharrem. :)
It is beautiful. So many people worked together to make one person feel less isolated.a gift of caring! :-)
Very humanizing. If only we can all do this every day for our beloved ones.
Beautiful, fantastic- we need more of this in the world. Congratuitous to all that took part. To Samsung - Way to go!
Lovely. In another culture, it might have backfired. I am wondering if the young man was somehow hand-selected b/c it's all a little pat.
There had to be a commercial angle to it. Why couldn't people just have done this from the kindness of their hearts?
This is so nice of them all to do... and they didn't need to do it either!
brilliant. i wish it was taught to every child in the world, then language wouldnt be a barrier when people travel to other countries.
Brilliant, great to see an advert that has meaning by changing the lives of others.
It might be a commercial but I didn't notice that til I read the comments. Had to watch again to see the little "samsung" logo in the corner
i think this was amazing for every one to do this that people will go out of there way to help other people
You people are terrible! I got all choked up reading this story. Marvellous campaign. Bravo.
I am deaf, it is so beautiful story! I want my neighbors do learn sign language so I could chat...
Restoring faith in humanity which is hard to find these days. Heartwarming. Touched a chord in the heart. Bravo!
Simply heartwarming. So many beautiful minds doing their bit to restore faith in humanity which is so hard to see these days. Bravo!
We need to do more kindness like this in our today daily lives. Agree, this is indeed beautiful story and touching. Good job samsung!
Awesome! Can't think of anything else. Samsung just scored major brownie points in my book.
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