FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got a question about the book, the Milan Congress and this website you’d like to ask? Please click the questions below

	What is this book? How many pages does it have? What is this VISUAL GLOSSARY? Was it written by a Deaf author? Is the level of English accessible for Deaf readers? I’m a teenager, can I read this book? I’m not Deaf, can I read this book? Can this book be used as an educational tool? Where can I buy this book? Are there large print and Braille versions of this book?	What’s this “Milan’s back!” shout? What’s the story about? Is it fiction based on fact? Are there Deaf characters in it? Are there famous historical figures for the Deaf in the story? Are there Deaf issues in the book? Are there other kinds of stuff in the story? The subject of Milan is to do with Oralism. Is the story like that?	What is the aim of this website? Can I make a comment about the book? Are there other similar websites? What’s Milan’s problem with the websites that it hates? Can I place the milan1880.com link in my website? What do these five circular symbols in this website mean?

What is this book? It is an exciting and sprawling Deaf fantasy epic novel, written out of an alarming and key chapter of Deaf history – the infamous Milan 1880 Revolution. How many pages does it have? 248 pages including the 23–page VISUAL GLOSSARY section. What is this VISUAL GLOSSARY? It is a separate section in the book showing striking visual illustrations and descriptions of the key characters and key architectural features – drawn by a Deaf graphic artist, Adam Hoy – to support some of the written descriptions. It is presented in order of first appearance by chapter so that readers can refer to the visual glossary as they read the story, so gaining a clearer visual concept of a key character or an architectural feature. You can check out The Story’s Characters to view a small selection from the Visual Glossary. Was it written by a Deaf author? Yes, it was written by Nick Sturley who is a profoundly Deaf BSL user who also has Usher. Is the level of English accessible for Deaf readers? Yes it has been carefully written and presented in the belief that Deaf readers will find this novel “a good and comfortable read”. I’m a teenager, can I read this book? Yes, of course you can! The book has been written so as to be suitable for, and accessible to, both teenagers and the golden oldies. It’s written in a Deaf–friendly style. If you’ve enjoyed Harry Potter’s adventures, you’ll not want to put this Milan book down! You can see for yourself by reading the Sample Chapter. I’m not Deaf, can I read this book? It doesn’t really matter whether you’re Deaf, hearing or Usher, it’s accessible to people from ALL walks of life. During the development of the book, there has been some valuable input from a hearing perspective. Can this book be used as an educational tool? Yes! The author, Nick Sturley, is hoping that schools for the Deaf (and hearing schools with an interest in the Deaf field) will use the book within their English literacy courses. He dares to hope that his novel might inspire gifted future Deaf authors! For information on how to order the books on an education discount direct from Trafford Publishing, click here. Where can I buy this book? Simply click on “Buy The Book!” link on the left and the page will explain it all. Are there large print and Braille versions of this book? Yes there are. Please click here for details.

What’s this “Milan’s back!” shout? Basically the Milan Congress happened back in 1880 – read Milan 1880: The Historical Facts to find out more. The book is a Fantasy story based on this infamous event and an unknown force calling itself Milan has returned to try, once again, to eradicate Deaf people and sign language.Read What the Story is About? What’s the story about? You can read the teaser description in What is the story about? to give you an idea of what’s in store! Is it fiction based on fact? Yes, it is. It is based on the infamous Milan 1880 Revolution and this story is a Fantasy which brings it to three different time points of 1880, 2003 and 2030. For historical facts, go to Milan 1880: The Historical Facts to read more about it. The issue is that no matter how interesting the Deaf history is, books about it are aimed at academics, researchers, historians and others with a particular interest in this field. Milan was written to appeal to a far wider audience, including young people and those with a non–specific interest in Deaf history but who would like to discover some of its background. So the clever aspect of mixing fiction with fact in this Milan book is that it explores Deaf history relating to the Milan 1880 Congress from a dramatic point of view through inventive methods. Read the book and you’ll see what we mean! Are there Deaf characters in it? Yes of course. It’s a Deaf fantasy novel, isn’t it? The main character is Deaf. Other major characters belong to both the Deaf and hearing worlds. For a selection of the key characters, go to The Story's Characters to find out more. Are there famous historical figures for the Deaf in the story? Yes: there are cameo appearances which include Abbé de l’Epee, Laurent Clerc, the Gallaudet brothers (Thomas and Edward Miller), Thomas Braidwood, Sicard, Miles and some of the Oralist pioneers. Are there Deaf issues in the book? Although the story focuses on the battle to save Deaf people, sign language and the secret mystical place from destruction by Milan, certain Deaf issues are confronted through the lives of key Deaf characters. The story also has many references, parodies, analogies and humorous in–jokes about Deaf issues, events and people of the present and the past. Are there other kinds of stuff in the story? Yes, of course there are! On top of all of the above, there are cool characters, slam–bang martial arts action, fist fights, chases, unexpected plot twists, tragedies and a thrilling and explosive climax. And that’s not all! The subject of Milan is to do with Oralism. Is the story like that? Of course the subject matter is to do with Oralism! If there hadn’t been the Milan 1880 Revolution in the first place, there would be no book, would there? And we would be in an entirely different timeline now – unnerving when you think about it!. Seriously, the story is very strong on Deaf culture and sign language. Ironically, the strength of sign language exists because of Oralism, so the story also explores the struggle against Oralist oppression.

What is the aim of this website? This website has two objectives: to promote the book and to provide the historical facts about the infamous Milan 1880 Revolution. Can I make a comment about the book? Yes you may. Please go to speak to me page to email us your comments. Are there other similar websites? No, none at all. This Milan 1880 website is the first of its kind, dedicated as it is to provide information about the Milan 1880 Congress. Let us know if there are any other websites relating to Milan 1880 and we’ll create a link with them... What’s Milan’s problem with the websites that he hates? Oh, just ignore this saddo – he’s just having a right old whinge, that’s all. It shows that we can revoke Milan 1880! Go to Websites that Milan Hates Can I place the milan1880.com link in my website? Yes please! The more publicity about this website, the better! We would like to have as many people as possible to be aware of this infamous event in Deaf history. What do these five circular symbols in this website mean? Well, you’ll have to buy the book to find out what they are! :o)

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No part of this website, the text and images can be reproduced without the consent of the above creators. However the text in the Milan 1880: The Historical Facts are OPEN source material and therefore can be used for any purposes without the consent of the creators. Some of the images in this section are copyrighted.