asking family members or friends to learn ASL?

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has any advice. I'm late-deafened and have been studying ASL for awhile, but none of my friends or family know it. I'm a bit shy to ask them to learn it with me, and doubtful that they will. It makes life pretty lonely! Where I live there's no deaf community, either. Maybe I'll eventually move to a bigger city, but what can I do in the meantime?

In really quiet settings, one-on-one conversations, I can read lips and hear OK with hearing aids. but most situations aren't like that. and it's tiring. I don't go out much (or socially at all really) because I can never hear anything.

I would ask your best friend first. My family never bothered to learn it for me, either. My mother demanded that I teach it to her, but I am not a good teacher, I get very impatient, so I suggested she go to the local community college, I'd pay, and she could bring someone for free. My husband would go with her. She refused. She obviously didn't want to learn that badly.

If you're going a class to learn ASL how about seeing if a classmate would practice ASL with you.

whatdidyousay! said:

If you're going a class to learn ASL how about seeing if a classmate would practice ASL with you.

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She doesn't want them to learn just so she has someone to practice with, she wants them to learn it so she doesn't have to struggle to communicate with them.

ambrosia said:

She doesn't want them to learn just so she has someone to practice with, she wants them to learn it so she doesn't have to struggle to communicate with them.

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HUH?? If you don't practice it how are you going to get better so you can communicate ? I had to practice it with a friend so we both could know how to communicate to other people.

whatdidyousay! said:

HUH?? If you don't practice it how are you going to get better so you can communicate ? I had to practice it with a friend so we both could know how to communicate to other people.

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Ambrosia was right, I was hoping some people I already know/my family would learn it with me but they don't seem too interested. So I guess I just have to make some new friends and practice w/them

liriope said:

Ambrosia was right, I was hoping some people I already know/my family would learn it with me but they don't seem too interested. So I guess I just have to make some new friends and practice w/them

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Indeed find some deafies. And use ASL. And findsime new hearie friends and teach them ASL. If they r your friends they should have no plm wishing to learn ASL to communicate with you. If they don't. Don't hold a grudge and a very big polite middle finger and smile should dot he trick.
As for your family. They may come around. Maybe they won't. Just leave the choice completely up tot hem.

" you can scream all night at me and ruin your voice if that's really what you guys want. Or here are some sign to save you allot of screaming. I am deaf so I don't hear your screams. You can keep screaming. If that what you wish. Or pick up sign. I'm cool with what ever decision suits your fancy...cow it,

Start with one person.. or even.. try using sign when talking to them. My father at the least has picked up some signs from me just using them on a semi regular basis. And he does try. Mom knows a little but is not super big on learning lol- still uses some home signs (better than nothing). Sister knows a little and will sign with me in loud places. Nephew refused to even try (then again he was 2 thhp). Someday I'll get him to...who knows.

I don't have any friends near where I live (haven't for the last 7-8 years ) but I know for a fact if I were to live close to one of my internet friends- her son does know sign and I'm sure she'd try too. All of my deaf friends (from college at least) are too far spread out .

Start small! Speak while you sign. Start off with 90% talk, 10% ASL. As soon as you feel they begin to recognize some signs here and there, adjust the values accordingly! There ARE people out there who like you for who you are and want to learn ASL just to be able to communicate with you. Just gotta find them. Good luck.

Thanks everyone, I have had no luck so far really lonely.

I am in the same boat as you. I have been deaf for about 10 months now. My husband, parents, and sister do not and will not learn ASL, heck half the time they still call my cell and will get mad about using or talking about asl around them. I have had a dear friend turn her back on me. Yes it can be lonely, recently I have ran into two people that are willing to help. A new neighbor saw me on the porch practicing and figured out I was not a b¡t €# but deaf and the next day he had taught himself how to introduce himself. The other is online and is actively helping me learn. What I am saying is do not give up and do not despair for someone will come along eventually. Smile until then. family and "friends" who are not there are not worth your hurt.

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