You’ve probably seen it, or maybe even tried it yourself.
Someone is talking in English while signing in ASL at the same time, thinking they’re making communication more accessible.
It’s called Simultaneous Communication (SimCom).
And while it might seem helpful on the surface, it doesn’t actually work the way people think it does.
What Is Simultaneous Communication (SimCom)?
SimCom is the act of speaking and signing at the same time.
It’s often used by hearing people who are learning American Sign Language (ASL), or by those trying to communicate with both Deaf and hearing individuals at the same time.
The idea sounds good. It ticks all these boxes:
- Speak for hearing people
- Sign for Deaf people
- Everyone is included
…but are they?
Why SimCom Doesn’t Work Most of the Time
ASL and English are two completely different languages.
They have:
- Different grammar
- Different sentence structure
- Different ways of expressing meaning
Trying to use both at the same time forces your brain to split attention between two systems that don’t align.
What happens when you try to do both?
- Most often, you default to English word order
- Your ASL becomes simplified or incorrect
- Your spoken English may become choppy or unnatural
In reality, both languages suffer. Think of it this way:
Trying to speak English while signing ASL is like trying to speak English while writing in Portuguese.
They have different grammar, structure, and cultural nuances.
So, in order to do this, you would not only have to think in two different languages, but also process the interpretation between the two–simultaneously.
The reality is, it’s not possible.
Ultimately, one or both of the languages has to change to accommodate the other.
Most of the time the resulting communication is not clear, complete, or natural in either language.
Is SimCom Ever Okay?
There are limited situations where SimCom might be used as a temporary workaround.
For example:
- A very short interaction with someone who doesn’t know ASL
- A quick clarification when communication is breaking down
Even then, it’s not ideal.
But regardless of one’s innate skills, most people find SimCom:
- Mentally exhausting to produce
- Difficult to understand
- Slower than using one language clearly
So yes, it can be a “pinch” solution.
But it shouldn’t be the goal.
Is SimCom Inclusive for Deaf People?
This is where a lot of people misunderstand.
SimCom feels inclusive, but often isn’t.
But why?
Because Deaf people watching the ASL are not receiving full access to it when it’s forced into English structure.
Instead of clarity, they get:
- Incomplete ASL
- Missing grammatical information
- Reduced meaning
What about people who can do it well?
Now, there are people who seem to have a talent for speaking and signing simultaneously. Often they are CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults), whose English and ASL truly developed either simultaneously, or in very close proximity to each other early in life. (That’s not most people.) So, it may feel more natural to many of them.
But if you look closely, they are either favoring English or ASL grammar for both languages, which ends up weakening one–usually ASL, which can leave Deaf people in the dust.
CODAs will usually produce a quick ASL recap immediately following, but again, they are not most people.
I have witnessed some rebel SimCom-mers with a shoe-on-the-other-foot delivery. They sign in ASL structure, while peppering in some spoken words. So now the hearing non-signers are looking around going, “What?”
That might be the only way SimCom is truly accessible for Deaf people – in a pinch.
But it’s still pretty ineffective in terms of everyone’s communication comfort.
What Should You Do Instead?
If you’re learning ASL or communicating with Deaf people, the goal is simple:
Keep ASL and English separate.
That means:
- When you sign, you focus on ASL
- When you speak, you focus on English
This allows each language to be clear, accurate and importantly: understood.
The Bottom Line
Simultaneous Communication (SimCom) might seem like a solution to accessibility, but it’s pretty weak in practice.
When you try to speak and sign at the same time:
- You don’t fully express either language
- Communication becomes less clear
- Accessibility is reduced, not improved
If your goal is to communicate effectively and respectfully:
Use one language at a time, experiencing it in full form.
FAQs About SimCom
Is SimCom the same as ASL?
No. SimCom is not ASL. It’s a method in which one speaks English while also signing in ASL, but most often it follows English grammar.
Can beginners use SimCom while learning ASL?
It’s highly recommended that you don’t. Learning ASL away from English helps build real fluency and comprehension.
Why do some people still use SimCom?
It’s often used out of habit or the assumption that it’s more inclusive.
So, what do you do if a group has Deaf ASL users and hearing people who don’t sign?
That’s the most common reason people end up using SimCom. It’s tough, because you want to be clear and respectful to everyone. You should still try to English and ASL separate, alternating between them. This is also tiring for extended periods, but at least each language is clear. An added benefit: seeing ASL in it’s full form may inspire the hearing people to become ASL students themselves!