Scarlette's Translation

There are some areas that I always come back to in the city, so some people may know me, but they don't know me personally. I feel it's important to be independent, strong and confident, but at the same time, it's easy to feel alone, a little bit scared. When I'm in the city, I can be fully independent at the same time as feeling really close to everyone in the crowd. It's comfortable. I can be fully connected to all these strangers whilst not knowing any of them, and still being separate. All these strangers are loud, and I'm quiet. They're all rushed, and I'm slow.

Anne's Translation

As I get closer to the city on the tram, the buildings are so much taller. There are so many shops, and people are buzzing around. Everyone's different - some are slow and a bit droopy, others just zoom around. I'm more of a stroller. I really like walking around all the shops, looking in the windows, taking it all in. When I go through Myer, my hair and skirt is lifted up by the air-conditioning, a little surprise amidst the civilisation. The shop ladies always offer me a spray of the latest perfume, but I politely decline. Still they offer, but still, I decline. When I've had enough of shopping, I'll go to the gardens for a while. The lights come on at nighttime, in all the trees they twinkle. I walk around and see ladies sitting elegantly with a hot drink, everyone is chatting and enjoying themselves. I love it.

Gabrielle's Translation

In the city, down Swanston Street, there's people everywhere. They're crazy busy. Everything is fast. It's loud, too loud, and sometimes when I'm alone I feel a bit worried and frustrated being there. It's like a window has closed on me, I can't make way through all the people. Sometimes I turn my hearing aids off. It's quiet. I feel calmer, the window opens and people move more easily. I move more easily.


Ben and Gab are greatly indebted to Anne Bremner and Scarlette Baccini for their contribution to deaf not silent.