In the Natural Resources Conservation Service new soil scientists work with more experienced staff to learn the complex landscape interpretations they’ll need in order to efficiently map soils, distinguish among soil types, and apply the rules of soil classification. But the terminology used in that process can be scientific and complicated.

So when Chanc Vogel was hired in 1998 as a soil scientist with the agency’s Soil Survey Office in Richland Center, Wis., he had to find a way to learn and then use those terms through sign language, since he is hearing impaired. And at that time his supervisor, Duane Simonson, had no experience in American Sign Language. Plus, after many inquiries they weren’t able to locate any other deaf soil scientists or deaf soil conservationists in the U.S.

Accordingly, Vogel and Simonson, starting from scratch, teamed up to create their own signing for terms they needed to use frequently. And Vogel has kept a register of all the new signs they’ve created.

Vogel, using sign language, explained that, for instance, he and Simonson express the term “glauconitic rock” through two signs: “green” plus “rock.” “That’s because glauconitic rock is a sedimentary rock with light greenish streaks laid down through it,” he said.

As another example, for the term “water table” they make a “w” to the chin, for “water,” and then raise the other hand flat up to infer the level of the water.

Simonson added that, as he and Vogel map soils from one topography to another, they continually find they need new signs. “We recently added ‘colluvium,’ which refers to soil and rock that have been moved down a slope,” he noted. “The new sign we created is the sign for the letter ‘C,’ with a flowing hand motion over the other arm like the letter ‘C’ is rolling downhill.”

They sometimes adapt a sign for another word--but used in context its ‘new’ meaning is clear. For example, the sign for “clay” uses a motion of both hands to make what looks like a snowball, since clay soil has a clumping property. But that same sign is used for “hamburger.” However, the context makes all the difference: time for lunch or type of soil.

NRCS soil scientists Chanc Vogel (right) and Duane Simonson examine a very thick layer of “glacial till”--which is unsorted sand, silt, clay, and rocks--that had been deposited on the steep slope they are standing by. As they discuss the texture of the glacial till, Vogel is signing the word “sand.” --Photo by Renae Anderson

Simonson said that signing while at a field location is actually very efficient. “We can communicate as long as we’re within eyeshot--even if distance or noise would make hearing each other impossible,” he said.

According to Vogel, American Sign Language does not officially record signs in its dictionary that are specific to a technical or scientific field. “That’s where the register of all the new signs we have created is valuable,” he pointed out.

In fact, to date Vogel’s register includes soil terminology signs for over 71 words or phrases.

They share that ever-expanding list with NRCS colleagues who work with Vogel as well as with sign language interpreters who interpret for Vogel at soils conferences and training sessions. “Our colleagues have been learning these signs pretty quickly because they are often intuitive or descriptive--like the example of ‘green’ plus ‘rock’ to describe ‘glauconitic rock’,” Vogel advised.

In addition, Vogel’s register of soil terminology signs they have created can serve as a handbook for any new hearing impaired soil scientist in NRCS, or elsewhere. “In fact,” Simonson emphasized, “many of our signs would be useful for anyone working with a hearing impaired person on the land--farmers, ranchers, foresters, and geologists.”

“Like all pioneers,” Vogel affirmed, “Duane and I had to make our own way through new terrain, improvising as we went--and then leaving a trail for others to follow.” •