DURBAN - Language - all 11 of the official ones of South Africa - can be immensely powerful. They can be used to inspire and they can also be used to stir up hatred. Our politicians will be showing us the best and the worst use of language over the next few months. Religions also use language very effectively to communicate ideas, to argue doctrines, to join people together in praise of God and to pass on their ancient wisdoms.
But there is also a power in communication beyond spoken language and indeed beyond what we can hear.
Again, this is something that politicians are aware of with their symbols and gestures and rallies. And it is something that religions use to good effect - the inspiration of seeing and smelling incense rising heavenwards, the physical experience of prostrating or kneeling or swaying, the thoughtful, often ancient movements that accompany many prayers, the power of touch by holding hands or exchanging a sign of peace.
Given faith’s tradition of non-verbal communication, it is sad that almost no religious group in central Durban (as far as I know) hosts a regular sign-enabled service for their deaf adherents. In other cities of our size, there is usually a regular signed Sunday service - in one of the Catholic churches, in one of the Anglican churches, in one of the Methodist churches etc. Sadly, that is not the case (yet) in Durban. Westville Baptist Church has taken a lead on this, which perhaps will inspire others.
I have become more conscious of such issues because of the team of deaf young adults who now run the café at the Denis Hurley Centre. They have reminded me of the power of unheard language.
We call them the Face2Face group since visitors to the café have a chance to engage with them face to face - and because you can only communicate by being willing to look at each other face to face. And there is plenty of communication not just among them but between the group and the rest of us.
Some visitors are keen to learn and attempt simple signs in formal South African sign language. But there are other ways of communicating: some get away with awkward made-up sign language; we can all communicate with smiles and body language; we can resort to notes written on paper or on tablets; and we are communicating just by simply being face to face with someone who is a bit different.
We hope that you will come in and see for yourself. The café is open from Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 2.30pm and on Saturday from 9am to 3.30pm, and serves light snacks, home-made cakes and delicious coffee (generously donated by SkyLine). Free introduction to sign language classes will be held every Friday afternoon at the Denis Hurley Centre, from 2pm- 3pm, starting next Friday, January 25.
Our wonderful beachfront will also provide some fascinating examples of non-verbal communication this coming weekend. It is time for that quintessentially Durban event, Fresha, where world-class performers pop up on the North Beach lawns and entertain the public for free. It is always fun to watch - for those who have come down especially for it, but even more so for the regular beach-goers who inadvertently find themselves in the middle of a performance piece. The focus is on physical theatre and so the performances can be enjoyed by anyone whatever their language or even if they cannot hear at all.
There will be contemporary dance, street dance, puppet shows, mime, comedy, aerial gymnastics and general mayhem. To prove that language is no barrier the artists come from all sectors of South African society and from around the world. The performances are on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, January 19 and 20, from 1pm to 5pm, with something new every 20 minutes.
Of special interest is an innovative mime piece performed by deaf artist Sibo Masondo on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 3.40pm.
There is also a chance to participate in the mornings. A free yoga class at 7am and a dance-exercise class at 8am (both days) will give all of us a chance to communicate better with our own bodies and perhaps hear them as they creak into action. And then through the mornings there are workshops to learn about performance and also to create a unique art piece from the flotsam and jetsam that wash up on our beach (also known as litter!).
Let’s stretch ourselves as 2019 gets into its stride and discover the power of non-verbal communication.
Perrier is the director of the Denis Hurley Centre.
- THE MERCURY