Signing With Deaf Strangers

Euphoria

Euphoria

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I am a 3rd year ASL major in college. I plan on becoming a teacher for the Deaf (eventually). I am passionate about my goals and the language I am learning.

However, when I encounter people using ASL outside of the classroom or Deaf events/clubs, I get very excited but then I freeze up. My teachers are always encouraging us to communicate with the Deaf, but I never know how a Deaf person will react to some random hearing girl coming up to them and signing. All I can think about is making a fool of myself. I don't want to interpret for them, but just have a friendly conversation. I feel like it could be an opportunity to make new friends and meet more Deaf people (also get some practice in)

I understand that every Deaf person is different. But I just want to get an idea of how most Deaf/HoH people view ASL students initiating a conversation with them.

For example, I was at Cedar Point this past summer and I was waiting in a terribly long line for one of the roller coasters when I noticed 2 teenage Deaf girls signing and a middle aged Deaf man and a young boy signing as well. For about an hour I tried to muster up the courage to introduce myself, but I couldn't do it.

What would be your suggestion if I ever encounter another opportunity to communicate with people who use ASL (besides at Deaf events/Club)?
 
Definitely do introduce yourself. I'll let others speak for themselves, but personally it is very rare for me to encounter someone that does sign at all. I live in a rural area in PA where there are a LOT of ignorant people and rednecks around here. So it's always really nice to be able to sign with someone other than my family (since I am so far away from all of my friends now). Whenever someone approaches me and starts signing with me rather than ask me some random question then apologize upon realizing I'm deaf... That ALWAYS makes my day. I can understand your anxiety but at this point, if you are a level 3 ASL student, then you definitely should have enough skill to sign with a deaf stranger. If by any chance you do encounter someone who is not willing to talk to you though, please do NOT let that deter you from introducing yourself to other deaf people in the future.

EDIT: Also just wanted to add - I tend to have a lot more respect for those who are willing to try signing with me regardless of their skill level than those who claim to know a bit of ASL (fingerspelling, a few signs, whatever) but do not bother to put in the effort. If you can approach a deaf person and start signing with them, that shows you have courage and that itself is enough to earn some respect from me. Not sure if other people here feel the same way though, this is just my personal perspective.
 
Irish said:
Definitely do introduce yourself. I'll let others speak for themselves, but personally it is very rare for me to encounter someone that does sign at all. I live in a rural area in PA where there are a LOT of ignorant people and rednecks around here. So it's always really nice to be able to sign with someone other than my family (since I am so far away from all of my friends now). Whenever someone approaches me and starts signing with me rather than ask me some random question then apologize upon realizing I'm deaf... That ALWAYS makes my day. I can understand your anxiety but at this point, if you are a level 3 ASL student, then you definitely should have enough skill to sign with a deaf stranger. If by any chance you do encounter someone who is not willing to talk to you though, please do NOT let that deter you from introducing yourself to other deaf people in the future.

EDIT: Also just wanted to add - I tend to have a lot more respect for those who are willing to try signing with me regardless of their skill level than those who claim to know a bit of ASL (fingerspelling, a few signs, whatever) but do not bother to put in the effort. If you can approach a deaf person and start signing with them, that shows you have courage and that itself is enough to earn some respect from me. Not sure if other people here feel the same way though, this is just my personal perspective.
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Thanks Irish. That gives me courage to hear you say that. I know I have the skills to communicate with Deaf people beyond random signs and finger spelling but I still have much more to learn! I'm not sure how I would even initiate the conversation. I guess a simple "Hello I am an ASL student. How are you what is your name?" would suffice but I fear that it will get awkward and the conversation will go no where. But I suppose that goes with any conversation you have with someone new (hearing or not!)
 
Irish said:
Definitely do introduce yourself. I'll let others speak for themselves, but personally it is very rare for me to encounter someone that does sign at all. I live in a rural area in PA where there are a LOT of ignorant people and rednecks around here. So it's always really nice to be able to sign with someone other than my family (since I am so far away from all of my friends now). Whenever someone approaches me and starts signing with me rather than ask me some random question then apologize upon realizing I'm deaf... That ALWAYS makes my day. I can understand your anxiety but at this point, if you are a level 3 ASL student, then you definitely should have enough skill to sign with a deaf stranger. If by any chance you do encounter someone who is not willing to talk to you though, please do NOT let that deter you from introducing yourself to other deaf people in the future.

EDIT: Also just wanted to add - I tend to have a lot more respect for those who are willing to try signing with me regardless of their skill level than those who claim to know a bit of ASL (fingerspelling, a few signs, whatever) but do not bother to put in the effort. If you can approach a deaf person and start signing with them, that shows you have courage and that itself is enough to earn some respect from me. Not sure if other people here feel the same way though, this is just my personal perspective.
Click to expand...

i go along with that it nice have someone to sign with,all i got here is two teenage boys and i 60ish old lady so you can imagine conversation limited..i watch couple of ladies signing the other day,i watch them for little while desperate join conversation they signing subject was FIFTY SHADES book so you can imagine it was racey conversation,in the end they mime to me i being nosey they thought i was rude hearing i bsl to them and included in conversation ..first adult conversation in ages so even me who deaf can find it hard just joining in and as it was about mommy porn they signing i was bit reluctant to push meself...
at my old deaf club in london we had members take hearing people to there house for a week and join in family life it best way to learn.....just remember you can have shy deaf people or retinent so dont take it personel if they say no,but my experience we love soneone who make effort,try find deaf club and turn up you be welcolmed.for many deaf me included have lonley lives so it refreshing see other people..level 3 yenable you to have good conversation
 
life can be lonely and isolated for deaf people of my age from my own expience i be happy someone got balls to talk with me you level 3 so shud be good enough have decent conversation,i got as far as level two but as i was signing all the time it is fluent to be able hold normal conversation but to terp at court by law i would need be at least 3 or 4 i could do commuication rater than terping,,i good enough to terp but for would to specalise.
 
It's better to approach them with the intention of introducing yourself and trying to take part of their conversation instead of just walking up and say, "Hi! I'm an ASL student! Can I learn sign language with you?" This kind of thing usually turns people off. We have that problem at my local Starbucks where high school ASL students approach us... "Hi... Umm... M... Y... Uhh... Name... Hmm... Is... M... I... P... No... M... I... K... C... I mean... M... I... K... E... Yeah... That... Nice... To... Meet... You..." *looks around like a shy idiot* :)

Just be yourself.
 
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