Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
South Texas College (STC) Hand in Hand Interpreters Club recently hosted its 14th annual Silent Dinner, an immersive event designed to celebrate deaf culture and build bridges between the deaf and hearing communities.
At the heart of the evening is a simple, yet moving concept- communication without a single spoken word. Attendees are invited to step into a space where conversations unfold through American Sign Language (ASL), gestures and written notes.
In the Rio Grande Valley, an estimated 9,000 to 14,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals call this region home, according to the Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL). STC Sign Language Interpreter Faculty Jovonne Delgado, Ph.D., said that understanding the experiences of such a significant community is exactly why the event matters.
“Our deaf community is definitely the inspiration behind the Silent Dinner,” she said. “It started because our deaf students wanted other to feel what it’s like to enter a room where everything is silent. For one night, attendees get to experience a small part of their everyday world.”
Delgado added the purpose for the event goes beyond awareness; it’s also about compassion.
“I want them to truly feel, even if only for two hours, what it’s like to navigate the world as a deaf person in today’s society,” Delgado said. “We overlook so many small things like sounds, cues and conversations happening around us that the deaf community experiences differently every single day. Our students are training to serve and support this community and while they can hear, events like this give them the rare chance to step into their shoes.”
Jessica Torres, interpreting intern and president of the Hand in Hand Interpreters Club, said the event resonates on a deeply personal level.
“This event means so much,” she said. “It’s a chance to embrace the deaf community and truly bridge the gap. Even with no talking allowed, we provide pen and paper for those who don’t know ASL. It shows people that communication is always possible.”
Among the attendees was Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) student Gustavo Esparza, who is deaf and attends the Silent Dinner to connect with others and show support.
“This event means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s powerful to be in a space where communication feels natural and everyone is trying their best to meet each other halfway. I love meeting new people and helping them feel more comfortable with ASL.”
Esparza says events like these create a sense of unity that can be felt in the room.
“It brings everyone together,” he said. “The hearing community gets to experience communication differently and we all walk away learning from each other.
The Silent Dinner continues to serve as a reminder of the strength, beauty and resilience of the deaf community while inviting all who attend to listen a little closer, even in the quiet.
For more information on STC’s Sign Language Interpreting program, visit: https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/asl/.
