--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In sign language, conversations like…" description: "\"“In sign language, conversations like these are unbelievably hard. You must look directly at the person as you talk to him, and as he talks to you. You..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/lou-ann-walker-11436_communication_in-sign-language-conversations-like-thes_1297269.jpg" --- # In sign language, conversations like these are… ![“In sign language, conversations like these are unbelievably hard. You must look directly at the person as you talk to him, and as he talks to you. You can’t avert your eyes to relieve the tension.” quote by Lou Ann Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/lou-ann-walker-11436_communication_in-sign-language-conversations-like-thes_1297269.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/lou-ann-walker-11436_communication_in-sign-language-conversations-like-thes_1297269.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b58/lou-ann-walker-11436_communication_in-sign-language-conversations-like-thes_1297269.jpg) > ““In sign language, conversations like these are unbelievably hard. You must look directly at the person as you talk to him, and as he talks to you. You can’t avert your eyes to relieve the tension.”” [Lou Ann Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-ann-walker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective communication requires eye contact, especially in sign language, because it builds connection and reduces tension. **In simple terms:** Eye contact is crucial for clear sign language dialogue. Key Takeaway Maintain eye contact when signing. Themes communication accessibility empathy Mood thoughtful empathetic Type instructional inspirational When to use this quote - classrooms - interpreting sessions - public speaking Key Concepts sign language non‑verbal cues social interaction Questions to Reflect On - How does eye contact affect your comfort level? - What alternatives exist for reducing tension? A Different Perspective Some may find sustained eye contact uncomfortable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversations/) [Sign language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sign-language/) [Tension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tension/) ## Related quotes > [“I feel as though I have been having conversations like this all my life. None of us is young anymore, but what has just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-hornby/i-feel-as-though-i-have-been-having-conversations-like-this-all-my/) [Nick Hornby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-hornby/) > [Introvert conversations are like jazz. 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Adjectives follow nouns, as in Romance languages.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-ann-walker/american-sign-language-asl-is-a-language-unto-itself-with-its-own/) [Lou Ann Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-ann-walker/) > [“Interestingly, very few deaf people actually use sign language in their dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-ann-walker/interestingly-very-few-deaf-people-actually-use-sign-language-in/) [Lou Ann Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-ann-walker/) > [“Mom turned to me, puzzled. 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"Yes, but we drank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-evans/it-s-weird-i-don-t-know-anything-about-you-what-are-you-talking-about/) [Harriet Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-evans/) > [Conversations are like dances. Two people effortlessly move in step with one another, usually anticipating the other person's next move. If one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-w-pennebaker/conversations-are-like-dances-two-people-effortlessly-move-in-step/) [James W. Pennebaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-w-pennebaker/) ## More by Lou Ann Walker > [“From 1963 through 1965, a nationwide epidemic of rubella—German measles—caused thousands of women to deliver babies who were handicapped in some way:”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-ann-walker/from-1963-through-1965-a-nationwide-epidemic-of-rubella-german/) [Lou Ann Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-ann-walker/) > [“there are signs that are parodies of actual objects and that retain a cleverness even for deaf people. Indeed, these signs are to sight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-ann-walker/there-are-signs-that-are-parodies-of-actual-objects-and-that-retain-a/) [Lou Ann Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-ann-walker/) > [“I was the only student she’d taught who’d actually known any deaf people. 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