An interactive exhibition quite unlike anything else, Dialogue in Silence – a follow-up to the internationally popular Dialogue in the Dark – is an informative yet fun experience you can now enjoy in Tokyo without any sound or talking.
Each session is run by a hearing-impaired guide who’ll take you and your group through various activities while teaching you the basics of sign language, key gestures and how to express yourself in an entirely different way. Without giving too much away, here are some of the things we took away from this eye-opening experience.
1. Communication goes beyond language
Dialogue in Silence really confirms that you can communicate with anyone regardless of language. Being a non-fluent Japanese speaker, being able to get my message across to those around me who may not be fluent in English was very engaging. It almost seemed as if it's more useful to communicate with hand gestures and emotions than spoken words.
You really have to think of other ways of expressing yourself, whether it be with the emotions on your face or with hand gestures and actions. Even if you all speak the same language, one of you being deaf means you cannot just talk to them. You'll need to find new ways of expressing your feelings and thoughts to that particular person.
2. There are multiple ways to communicate
We are so used to talking and rambling off our thoughts every single day when engaging with those around us. But throughout the Dialogue in Silence activities, it was actually really difficult to think about how to portray your thoughts and feelings to others around you sans words – especially without confusing them.
In what way do I move my hands? Will others understand me if I act like this? These are thoughts that plagued my mind throughout the exercise. In some ways, this form of communication is actually quite primitive. It almost makes you feel like a baby again – or someone who is learning things for the very first time.
3. We can convey a lot without words
Taking hints from our guide, we were able to pick up some basic sign language techniques and how one can use the combination of both gestures and emotions to get messages across. After learning some signs it was easy to see how these simple gestures stand for everyday expressions we use all the time.
The whole experience really makes you think about how to interact with others and gives you a chance to reflect on how you communicate in your everyday life. Especially in a place like Japan, which may not always be the most foreigner-friendly, Dialogue in Silence proves that sometimes no words are needed to connect with those around you.
Dialogue in Silence Until Aug 20. Newoman Shinjuku 5F, 5-24-55 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku. Advance tickets to Dialogue in Silence are sold out, but a limited amount of tickets are available on the door. For more information visit dialogue-in-silence.jp.