I want to learn ASL.

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DaeHan

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I'm new to the deaf community. It took me 20 years to finally meet someone who is deaf. Now I'm interested in ASL.

Question: Should I learn? I keep learning about these implants that can make deaf people hear. Should I still learn ASL or is this technology rapidly changing the deaf community? I've read a news article saying that sign language is going extinct?

I want to visit the library next week to rent books about ASL.
 
Yes you should learn.

Cochlear Implants exist but don't exactly turn deaf people into hearing people - it's complicated and they don't work for everyone.

ASL is an incredible thing to learn in so many ways. I would at least check it out, see if you enjoy learning it.

As far as books go, they can be great for learning about the Deaf experience, culture, history, and once you've learned some basic ASL - books about structure of the language can be helpful. But I would not use books to introduce yourself to the language. For several reasons. First, it's too hard to learn the 3 dimensional shapes/movements from pictures and drawings. You really need real life examples, or at least videos for that. Second, even if you learn vocabulary correctly, you'll be very likely to try to string those words/signs together as though you were making an English sentence. Which is very different from ASL. So it's better to get feedback from a teacher/mentor, or at least use a study source that teaches you how to use your new signs in context, not just as isolated vocabulary words.

So you can still borrow books if you want to, but I would supplament those with DVDs that show you how to form the signs. Or go online for that. Better yet are sites like • ASL • American Sign Language that show you how asl is actually used as they teach it to you. The very best way to learn is by taking a class with a good teacher fluent in ASL. (Note: you don't have to pay university prices - some areas have non-credit classes that are very inexpensive in comparisson. But if you don't have any money at all, at least check out lifeprint.)

Good luck and have fun!
 
I agree with the above. Books for ASL at one time sure. even then books are always a mixed bag with any language learning onto themselves. Now youtube and other such sites are in my opinion superior. learning any language takes patience and practice find a native signer and your long on your way to ASL. That said books are very important and if your poetically inclined i highly recommend-signing the body poetic- and the accompanying cd. While this book is in no way shape or form a book to teach ASL. it may perk your interests to what ASL as a language has in store for you if thats your cup of tea. Get a handle on training your eyes for ASL. the gaulledet vid library is a good resource
To answer the question should you learn ASL
An emphatic yes is my answer to you
good luck
Stick with it
Hoichi-the earless
 
Learn fingerspelling FIRST (if you haven't). After you become a good fingerspeller, then learn signs. It is a basic rule.
 
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Thats a debatable point. Granted its a long standing one. They are not mutually exclusive in the learning and retention of ASL as a symbol set. If anything that approach can hinder a persons retention of useful signs and, thus in my opinion experiencing the beauty and fun in the language. I offer instead for the sake of argument a mixed approach. Start with the fun which ever it is that you find fun. that of course will very. Then when needed move to learning the finger spelling. Which for the most part with the proper effort doesn't take long to acquire, yet it must be stated, can for various reasons be a dreadful crutch to new learners. By way of a thought experiment. Ask yourself "what you want to communicate" "why i want to communicate it" and "how i want to communicate" to this new deaf person you just meant. Make it interesting from the start. Keep it varied and interesting. Be goal oriented in your approach. Create a realistic schedule for meeting these goals and be disciplined in your study and use. As a final note. last by no means the least important is from day one keep a journal of your studies. Really it will take 15 minutes at the beginning of your daily time. Note your progress or lack thereof and any problems as well as ideas and signs you wish to learn and how to use them. From the start incorporate signs into your daily mnemonics how ever you see it fits for you.
hope this helps.
Hoichi-the earless
 
"ASL Lesson 1" American Sign Language (ASL)

ASL 1: Lesson 1:
Lesson Objectives:
___ I am able to define the term ASL
___ I know the common handshapes used in ASL.
___ I am able to fingerspell my name in ASL
___ I am able to count to five in ASL (numbers)
___ I am able to briefly describe the history of ASL
___ I am able to briefly state the gist of Deaf Culture
___ I have a basic idea of the meaning of the difference between ASL and Signed English
___ I have a basic idea of the meaning of Pidgin (contact signing)
___ I am able to recognize and sign the vocabulary for this lesson (see below)
___ I am able to recognize and sign the practice sentences for this lesson (see below)
___ I have done a practice quiz
___ I have checked with my instructor regarding how and where to take any graded quizzes.​
 
Thank you for all your help, guys. As with all languages, I think I will start by alphabet, general greetings, and basic words. I hope I am successful at this; I don't want to look like that stupid guy at the Mandela memorial.
 
CrazyPaul said:
"ASL Lesson 1" American Sign Language (ASL)

ASL 1: Lesson 1:
Lesson Objectives:
___ I am able to define the term ASL
___ I know the common handshapes used in ASL.
___ I am able to fingerspell my name in ASL
___ I am able to count to five in ASL (numbers)
___ I am able to briefly describe the history of ASL
___ I am able to briefly state the gist of Deaf Culture
___ I have a basic idea of the meaning of the difference between ASL and Signed English
___ I have a basic idea of the meaning of Pidgin (contact signing)
___ I am able to recognize and sign the vocabulary for this lesson (see below)
___ I am able to recognize and sign the practice sentences for this lesson (see below)
___ I have done a practice quiz
___ I have checked with my instructor regarding how and where to take any graded quizzes.​
Click to expand...

Wow, good list, thanks.
 
The only best way is to go to the ASL class anywhere in your community (big city) so that you can learn how to sign fingerspell and how to properly sign ASL sentences and words. That is my best advice. :)
 
DaeHan said:
Thank you for all your help, guys. As with all languages, I think I will start by alphabet, general greetings, and basic words. I hope I am successful at this; I don't want to look like that stupid guy at the Mandela memorial.
Click to expand...
I advise whom is very wise to specialist to ASL.

Do not that people fool to lying to let to information to old currents.

I let know you. I advise to careful make sure clear to you :) don't be misunderstand! lol..
 
You might have luck learning from people more fluent than you at meetup.com or an evening class at a college. Also many of my friends learn sign language just by chatting with me (not about ASL, just about interests).... So seek out a new friend and find a common interest? I grew up in Europe and by far the most successful way I learned many languages was USING THEM not studying them.
 
DaeHan said:
Wow, good list, thanks.
Click to expand...
When I was young, I taught my former hearing girlfriends fingerspelling first (not at the same time :lol:). They practiced it for about three days and then I taught them signs. We had great times.

When you go poo-poo in the bathroom, practice fingerspelling to kill time. :lol: It will take about three days to make you an expert in fingerspelling as well as reading fingerspelling if you have someone to practice with you. Practice makes perfect. I hope you will love it. ASL lives forever.
 
Love the above advice. the washroom part is a keeper. stick with it.
 
CrazyPaul said:
It will take about three days to make you an expert in fingerspelling as well as reading fingerspelling if you have someone to practice with you.
Click to expand...

Everybody has an opinion and it's my opinion that only the very rare person might be to able to become "an expert [my emphasis] in fingerspelling as well as reading fingerspelling" in "about three days" even if they have someone to practice with for hours everyday. If you're one of them congratulations, but someone new to fingerspelling shouldn't be disappointed if it takes them longer.
 
Rogus said:
Everybody has an opinion and it's my opinion that only the very rare person might be to able to become "an expert [my emphasis] in fingerspelling as well as reading fingerspelling" in "about three days" even if they have someone to practice with for hours everyday. If you're one of them congratulations, but someone new to fingerspelling shouldn't be disappointed if it takes them longer.
Click to expand...
It depends on their motivation. If they want to learn fast, they learn fast. Fingerspelling is not that hard. Its' only 26 letters while there are thousands of signs to learn which requires months or years.

Well, the ex-girlfriends wanted to communicate with me so badly so they learned fast. I was really impressed by them.

If people don't have enough time or show little motivation, of course it will take longer for them to learn and practice.
 
The learning of the finger spelling symbol set indeed isn't that hard nor takes that long. But and here it must be understood is the qualifying difference. Being able to "read" and retain the symbol set at an appropriate speed with concurrent comprehension is more difficult for most people.
in my experience and as such the above will vary widely
 
hoichi said:
The learning of the finger spelling symbol set indeed isn't that hard nor takes that long. But and here it must be understood is the qualifying difference. Being able to "read" and retain the symbol set at an appropriate speed with concurrent comprehension is more difficult for most people.
in my experience and as such the above will vary widely
Click to expand...
Yes, practicing expressive spelling is usually easier than developing receptive skill.
 
The main problems people seem to have with expressive finger spelling are:

1. bouncing

2. wrong palm orientation

3. forming letter too tightly

4. spelling in long strings instead keeping the hand in place

5. sticking the spelling hand way out in space instead of within the signing space

6. mouthing individual letters instead of the whole words
 
Reba said:
The main problems people seem to have with expressive finger spelling are:

1. bouncing

2. wrong palm orientation

3. forming letter too tightly

4. spelling in long strings instead keeping the hand in place

5. sticking the spelling hand way out in space instead of within the signing space

6. mouthing individual letters instead of the whole words
Click to expand...
Another one is using wrong finger for example - "d". I am sure you are aware of this common problem. Middle finger instead of index finger. :giggle:

BTW, good advice above. :thumb:
 
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