rabbit

Can someone give me some tips on speeding up the learning process with ASL... easy ways to remember signs, the best possible books to read to help me with grammar... I love this language, but I am a slow learner and even though I know there is no rush I'd like to pick it up a bit faster than I am.

Are there "practices" you do to get better at signing? What about fingerspelling? Etc...

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Lillys dad

You might try to track down a local deaf club.

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Lilly CI right ear Sept 8 2005
CI left ear Jan 17 2007

angelstar819

If you want to pick up ASL pretty fast, you should probably attend deaf events so you can be immersed into the language by communicating with other deaf people. I guarantee you'll pick up a lot of ASL if you do so.

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robbielyn

Rabbit spend alot of time studying our dvd's the society provides. They are the best of the best. Also associate with the deaf in your group and work out in service with them. Careful of your association though. It does take time to become proficient. At least two years. Relax be patient and enjoy. Robbielyn

authentic

Wabbit, what makes you to motivate to learn in ASL?

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rabbit

One: I'm broadening my teaching of the Bible, I've been teaching hearing people who are interested in listening about the bible for a good 14 years now, and quite frankly it was getting kinda boring, so I decided to learn a new language, and I chose asl.

Two: I love the language, I think it's an absolutely beautiful language and being as I'm a poet I think it would be an awesome challange to start writing asl poetry once I get better at it.

Three: I know a few deaf people who I'd like to get to know better.
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as to the whole "you should attend deaf events" thing... I AM, I just have such a hard time learning sometimes. I go to 3 meetings a week in sign language, and last night I even went to a deaf party.

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Southern

I don't know if you are going to classes or not. I learn pretty quickly but i have to repeat new signs over and over to get them to stay in my brain. Some stay easier than others. I learn the best by association. If i can associate visually a sign with something it sticks in my head. For instance the sign for "poor" is to kinda stroke your left elbow with your right hand. When i first saw that i thought of a poor person with a hole in their shirt sleeve and i always remember it with out practice. Believe is another i think, "my thoughts i am married to" because those are the two signs you do. The ones i could do that with were great and it opened more time for the others. I also studied and practiced ALOT 2 hours every night. Seems like a lot but if you do that you will really cement signs in your head. Plus being with Deaf friends. I am lucky on that point i am with my Deaf friends several times a week, most hearing that are learning ASL don't have that.

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VamPyroX

My best advice would be to use it as you learn it.

For instance, you could go out with deaf people or people who are learning with you. You could also sign to yourself when you're talking to yourself or something.

The more you're encouraged to sign, the faster you'll learn.

Of course, it can't be done overnight.

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Southern

Yeah that is something i do, but my Deaf friends warn me not in front of anyone cause they'll think i am crazy! LOL when i am at home by myself or in my room thinking about what ever, what i need to get at the store or something, i will sign it. I also have started doing this with songs i know while driving down the road. I do this at night though when there are not many cars on the road! LOL

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shel90

Well...I first started learning ASL from my ASL classes at ASU. I didnt socialize with deaf people at the time so after 2 years and 4 classes, I still wasnt fluent. It was when I went to Gallaudet was when I became fluent. It took me about a year or two to become fully fluent. To this day, I do not sign like a native ASL user but I can understand almost everyone ranging from the full ASL signers to the SEE signers. It seems that my receptive language is better than my expressive language.

My husband knew zip signs 4 years ago and now he is still learning and still makes mistakes like for example, he would sign "poor" using his dominant hand extending down from his elbow to desribe "poor vision". He gets confused with the meanings of the signs cuz he still thinks in English in his head while signing. I am trying to teach him to think in pictures instead of in English words.

Rabbit..it takes about 2 to 7 years to acquire a language...longer if u are not immersed in it full time. My best suggestion for the best "practice" would be is to socialize with deaf people.

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~Shel~

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." -George Santayana

MelodyB

I also sign to songs...in fact thats my favorite thing to do. I do it ALL the time...I was at a home Bible study group tonight and I was signing one of the songs and one of my friends laughed and said they were gonna start calling me "Sister Sign Language" cause they noticed that I do it all the time.

The only time I dont feel compelled to sign everything is when my teacher is around. She also happens to be one of my closest friends, but I feel so intimidated around her. I know that it is all in my head, but how do I get over that?

Also, Southren, where in Fl are you at? (If you dont mind my asking)

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Southern

MelodyB i live in the First Coast.

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jillio

Exposure to the Deaf community is by far the best way to speed up the learning process. It forces you to learn, and you learn from the best.

MelodyB

Not sure I know where that is. Im in Panama City.

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Southern

Did you recently move to Fl? Maybe this will help, The River City.

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MelodyB

No actually I have lived in Fl all of my life...and Ive lived in PC since I was 8 (Im 26 now)

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jasin

Trying to learn asl on your own is not wise, there is alot to asl that you cannot pick up just by reading books or practicing vocab. The best way to learn asl is from the deaf or from a hearing teacher with expierence in teaching asl and translating asl. A lot of community colleges now teach asl and thats an excellent place to start, the classes are cheap and the teachers are ussally overqualified.

Did you know that you can even earn a degree at most community colleges that teach asl, in interpeting? You dont have to go that far, 3 quarters (less then 1 year) of asl is enough to become fluent, but your skills would be far suppriour if you did.

Southern

I don’t know what you consider cheap…. 1 semester, (4 months) cost me 200.00 then the books, if bought used, are about 30.00 a piece so we are talking nearly 300.00. That is not cheap to me. I am going through the entire program which in the end will cost me at or above 1,000.00 for ASL 1 – 4. This isn’t cheap to me. BUT SO WORTH IT! I learned sign from a hearing friend. I used an old book of his and we met once a week to go over what I have learned. I went through the entire book, (should take approximately 2 years) in 7 weeks. I do agree with you learning on your own is not recommended. The pictures in the book can be misleading for some signs, or at best confusing. You really need to see the sign produced in front of you. You also need interaction with another signer for critique. If you must go it alone though video’s and certain websites are helpful so you can see proper sign production.

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