Starting intensive BSL classes today

AJWSmith · 10-31-2011, 02:39 AM

This evening my wife and I begin an intensive BSL course. Each class is 3 hours long and there are two classes a week, plus goodness knows how many hours of homework practice.

I'm lucky that my hearing wife wants to do this with me so we can practice BSL together. We can fingerspell and we already know some signs, but I'm expecting to get flooded with loads of new signs and I'm hoping my brain is up to it. I've tried many times to learn a new language and have never succeeded to become fluent in a single one.

Wish us luck!

BecLak · 10-31-2011, 03:09 AM

All the best to you and your wife. No sweat, it will come naturally to you AJWSmith. Way to go.

**Bottesini** · 10-31-2011, 09:07 AM

Good luck. I hope you both have lots of fun!

Beach girl · 10-31-2011, 09:10 AM

Good luck! Be patient with yourself; you can expect steady progress as you work at it. I'll be looking forward to hearing how it goes for you.

rebeccalj · 10-31-2011, 09:12 AM

Good luck! Must be *so* exciting for you!

Jazzberry · 10-31-2011, 09:47 AM

Good luck AJW! I hope you keep us posted. I understand what your concerns about learning a new language -- I'm finding it challenging to learn ASL also.

Maybe you can ask your BSL teacher for some suggestions? If they have taught for awhile, they probably have some ideas on what works and what doesn't.

I hope you keep us posted as to how you like it.

**mbrek** · 10-31-2011, 12:16 PM

Let us know how the classes are going!

sharpee · 10-31-2011, 12:46 PM

Good luck I started my BSL 1 in September, 7 weeks in, at 1st it is literally all fingers and thumbs, but getting well enough to be able to converse with our other students, I am one of two that are deaf the others are hearing. It is practice and don't rush the signs as that confuses speed comes later. Good tip I got from a deaf friend who signs really well, "think of pictures not words"

Speedy Hawk · 10-31-2011, 03:28 PM

Good luck and enjoy!

Agree poster above. Think in pictures, draw pictures, fill in details and colour it in. That what BSL is bit like.

AJWSmith · 10-31-2011, 05:28 PM

First lesson went OK. Having learned a few BSL signs already, my wife & I had a head start. But it's nice having feedback from our Deaf tutor on how good or bad my signs are as looking at a YouTube clip doesn't give you that. I got confused when we were having a tour of the building and the tutor was explaining about the ladies toilet - turns out that the sign for toilet and woman are quite similar.

Jazzberry · 10-31-2011, 06:53 PM

That's great though
that you and your wife were able to understand that in the first class!

Did you get a chance to sign or talk with the other students?

Journey · 11-01-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJWSmith

First lesson went OK. Having learned a few BSL signs already, my wife & I had a head start. But it's nice having feedback from our Deaf tutor on how good or bad my signs are as looking at a YouTube clip doesn't give you that. I got confused when we were having a tour of the building and the tutor was explaining about the ladies toilet - turns out that the sign for toilet and woman are quite similar.

Uh oh, better be sure you don't get those two signs mixed up. "Where is the toilet?" will get you a short helpful response; "Where is the woman?" could get you a questioning look and long lecture from your wife.

Good luck and have fun with your classes.

AJWSmith · 11-01-2011, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzberry

That's great though
that you and your wife were able to understand that in the first class!

Did you get a chance to sign or talk with the other students?

There are five of us, but I'm the only deaf person apart from the BSL tutor. We chatted briefly in the breaks/brief rest periods. From next week we're all going to go voice-off while in the building so it'll be interesting to see how much we're able to communicate. Two of the other students are from other countries and English is not their first language. And there's one person who knows some ASL but no BSL.

rebeccalj · 11-01-2011, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Journey

Uh oh, better be sure you don't get those two signs mixed up. "Where is the toilet?" will get you a short helpful response; "Where is the woman?" could get you a questioning look and long lecture from your wife.

Good luck and have fun with your classes.

Why are so close together signs I would ask. LOL

Too easy to mistake the two. Someone wasn't thinking when come up with either sign.

rebeccalj · 11-01-2011, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJWSmith

There are five of us, but I'm the only deaf person apart from the BSL tutor. We chatted briefly in the breaks/brief rest periods. From next week we're all going to go voice-off while in the building so it'll be interesting to see how much we're able to communicate. Two of the other students are from other countries and English is not their first language. And there's one person who knows some ASL but no BSL.

I grew up, as you probably know, with ASL but then I was oral mainstreamed. Strange how all these years later certain signs feel *natural* to me. I mention in other thread I start watching Lee BSL songs because it was at least *my* music in a way. Then I start to have his playlist on all day at work and begin to get confused by certain signs he was doing so switch back to ASL playlist.

How do you think you will manage /voice. I do not think you are just yet so curious.

Jazzberry · 11-01-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJWSmith

There are five of us, but I'm the only deaf person apart from the BSL tutor. We chatted briefly in the breaks/brief rest periods. From next week we're all going to go voice-off while in the building so it'll be interesting to see how much we're able to communicate. Two of the other students are from other countries and English is not their first language. And there's one person who knows some ASL but no BSL.

Its nice that your class is small, you and your wife should get plenty of attention!

I've only gone to two ASL meetups, and so far I've met about 8 other people of which only 1 is deaf. Their stories are interesting:

* The deaf person is hoping to become a teacher of the deaf.
* One of the others mother was a teacher of the deaf and she had learned ASL from her. She enjoys it so goes to the meetups so she won't forget how to sign.
* One has a deaf sister and they both know the sign language used in the Dominican Republic and want to learn the one used in this country.
* Another one enjoys learning foreign languages and knows a handful including Mandarin! He just met someone who knows ASL recently, so decided to pick up ASL also. It seemed that he had spent very little time learning ASL so far, but he had almost as much vocabulary as everyone else in the group. He appears to just be able to pick up languages very quickly. I'm trying hard not to be jealous!

I haven't gotten the other people's story yet, but I will! So far it seems like a good crowd. I'm a little disappointed that I haven't met more d/hh people who want to learn sign -- but at least so far I haven't met anyone who has a deaf fetish!

(I'm still hoping that I will meet some of the NYC people who post at AD at the NYC ASL meetups. )

I hope the same will be true for your class!

AJWSmith · 11-01-2011, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccalj

I grew up, as you probably know, with ASL but then I was oral mainstreamed. Strange how all these years later certain signs feel *natural* to me. I mention in other thread I start watching Lee BSL songs because it was at least *my* music in a way. Then I start to have his playlist on all day at work and begin to get confused by certain signs he was doing so switch back to ASL playlist.

How do you think you will manage /voice. I do not think you are just yet so curious.

I think we'll struggle to stay voice off in break times/rest periods as we know so little BSL and it's so much easier to communicate orally. It will get easier as we learn more BSL.

AJWSmith · 11-01-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzberry

Its nice that your class is small, you and your wife should get plenty of attention!

I've only gone to two ASL meetups, and so far I've met about 8 other people of which only 1 is deaf. Their stories are interesting:

* The deaf person is hoping to become a teacher of the deaf.
* One of the others mother was a teacher of the deaf and she had learned ASL from her. She enjoys it so goes to the meetups so she won't forget how to sign.
* One has a deaf sister and they both know the sign language used in the Dominican Republic and want to learn the one used in this country.
* Another one enjoys learning foreign languages and knows a handful including Mandarin! He just met someone who knows ASL recently, so decided to pick up ASL also. It seemed that he had spent very little time learning ASL so far, but he had almost as much vocabulary as everyone else in the group. He appears to just be able to pick up languages very quickly. I'm trying hard not to be jealous!

I haven't gotten the other people's story yet, but I will! So far it seems like a good crowd. I'm a little disappointed that I haven't met more d/hh people who want to learn sign -- but at least so far I haven't met anyone who has a deaf fetish!

(I'm still hoping that I will meet some of the NYC people who post at AD at the NYC ASL meetups. )

I hope the same will be true for your class!

That's an interesting group. Like you I'm jealous of people who can pick up languages easily. It's a useful talent to have. I hope you get to meet other d/hh people learning ASL soon.

What I like about learning sign language is that I only have to concentrate on the visual stuff. In the past, I've learned languages orally and there are always some sounds that I can't hear. What I have to do is memorise the mouth and throat shapes and trust that I'm making the correct sound. For example I can't hear the difference between "ch" and "sh". But I'm told that the "ch" is formed in the back of the mouth while "sh" is formed at the front. Sign language is easier (not easy!) because I only need my eyes. For example, I have to concentrate on whether he uses one/two or all fingers and the direction they're moving 3-dimensionally.

**mbrek** · 11-01-2011, 12:03 PM

Maybe the reason I've been picking up ASL so quickly is because it's visual. I never thought of that! I've never been one who picks up languages quickly, but I am an artist - so perhaps ASL is getting in via that route. Whoopee!!!

Speedy Hawk · 11-01-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJWSmith

First lesson went OK. Having learned a few BSL signs already, my wife & I had a head start. But it's nice having feedback from our Deaf tutor on how good or bad my signs are as looking at a YouTube clip doesn't give you that. I got confused when we were having a tour of the building and the tutor was explaining about the ladies toilet - turns out that the sign for toilet and woman are quite similar.

Lol, it would be funny if you sign wrong one to deaf people! I assume you use toilet sign on side of your chest? Can easily get confused two, toilet only use middle finger on side of chest and woman all fingers.

AJWSmith · 11-01-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Hawk

Lol, it would be funny if you sign wrong one to deaf people! I assume you use toilet sign on side of your chest? Can easily get confused two, toilet only use middle finger on side of chest and woman all fingers.

And I learned another new sign today - 'live' - that's similar to 'toilet'. Imagine getting those confused! "Where do you toilet?"

**mbrek** · 11-01-2011, 11:34 PM

How about "I live in the women's toilet" for a good BSL phrase to sign?

(Let's hope you never encounter it, though!)

Speedy Hawk · 11-02-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJWSmith

And I learned another new sign today - 'live' - that's similar to 'toilet'. Imagine getting those confused! "Where do you toilet?"

Live, toilet and address is same sign. Lol. Toilet and address do have more than one sign.

AJWSmith · 11-03-2011, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Hawk

Live, toilet and address is same sign. Lol. Toilet and address do have more than one sign.

The BSL teacher told us that an upwards movement = 'live' while a downwards movement = 'toilet'. The handshape is the same.

Speedy Hawk · 11-03-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJWSmith

The BSL teacher told us that an upwards movement = 'live' while a downwards movement = 'toilet'. The handshape is the same.

Interesting. Most Deaf and interpreters I know and me move up and down for live and toliet. Usually toliet move up and down faster and live moves bit slower.

I also know some few Deaf and some interpreters uses different sign for toilet usually for north use it down in south.

Edit: I always like know small or big difference in sign that Deaf uses cos it interesting.

AJWSmith · 11-03-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Hawk

Interesting. Most Deaf and interpreters I know and me move up and down for live and toliet. Usually toliet move up and down faster and live moves bit slower.

I'm beginning to find out that there's a lot of variation in BSL. When looking at BSL clips on the internet I often see different signs for the same word. 'Homework' is an example I can think of. It's a fascinating contrast to English with its focus on learning the correct (and only) way to spell a particular word.

Speedy Hawk · 11-03-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJWSmith

I'm beginning to find out that there's a lot of variation in BSL. When looking at BSL clips on the internet I often see different signs for the same word. 'Homework' is an example I can think of. It's a fascinating contrast to English with its focus on learning the correct (and only) way to spell a particular word.

Yep there are loads of variation. I see some different signs for same meaning from BSL Corpus Project » Data Only people understand BSL can watch and understand videos (no captions). It record regionals signs might be use.

Homework defo got loads of signs. When I was at school, I signed homework as "home" and "work" sign together. When I went to college and uni I signed homework as "home" and "write".

Which homework sign you taught to use?

AJWSmith · 11-03-2011, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Hawk

Yep there are loads of variation. I see some different signs for same meaning from BSL Corpus Project » Data Only people understand BSL can watch and understand videos (no captions). It record regionals signs might be use.

Homework defo got loads of signs. When I was at school, I signed homework as "home" and "work" sign together. When I went to college and uni I signed homework as "home" and "write".

Which homework sign you taught to use?

Taught two yesterday: One was "home" then "work" (chopping action). Second was a bridge sign (action of going over a humpbacked bridge) and "work". I assume the bridge represented "going home".

I've also seen two signs for "home". In BSL class we're taught to use the first two fingers on both hands and outline a house starting with the double fingers touching at the apex of the roof. On the internet I see people putting their arms and flat whole hands in the shape of a roof, but not tracing an outline.

Speedy Hawk · 11-03-2011, 10:59 AM

Both sign I use for "home" for homework is same sign go home, not roof one.

AJWSmith · 11-03-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Hawk

Both sign I use for "home" for homework is same sign go home, not roof one.

Is the "go home" sign the "go over bridge" one?

10-31-2011, 02:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
AJWSmith Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: live? I'm the walking dead! Posts: 685	Starting intensive BSL classes today This evening my wife and I begin an intensive BSL course. Each class is 3 hours long and there are two classes a week, plus goodness knows how many hours of homework practice. I'm lucky that my hearing wife wants to do this with me so we can practice BSL together. We can fingerspell and we already know some signs, but I'm expecting to get flooded with loads of new signs and I'm hoping my brain is up to it. I've tried many times to learn a new language and have never succeeded to become fluent in a single one. Wish us luck! Jazzberry, DeafBadger, Krissy and 2 others like this. __________________ Born deaf. Profound hearing loss in both ears (90-105dB). Wears Oticon Spirit Zest C SP (Chili) You can also find me on twitter as @AJWSmith and on Google+ as AJW Smith

10-31-2011, 03:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
BecLak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 2,116	All the best to you and your wife. No sweat, it will come naturally to you AJWSmith. Way to go. AJWSmith likes this. __________________ Severely deaf from birth. Deaf with a Purpose. God designed me this way so I do everything by God's Grace. Exodus 4:11 Ignorance is no longer bliss. Be Educated. KEEP IN STEP WITH ME: Sign Text Email Pen and Paper

10-31-2011, 09:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
Bottesini Joe's Friend Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: With Owl Sock Posts: 37,645 Blog Entries: 1	Good luck. I hope you both have lots of fun! AJWSmith likes this.

10-31-2011, 09:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Beach girl Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: northern Virginia in winter; NC in summer Posts: 3,760	Good luck! Be patient with yourself; you can expect steady progress as you work at it. I'll be looking forward to hearing how it goes for you. AJWSmith likes this.

10-31-2011, 09:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
rebeccalj Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1,585	Good luck! Must be so exciting for you! AJWSmith likes this.

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10-31-2011, 09:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jazzberry Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: New York State Posts: 761 Blog Entries: 2	Good luck AJW! I hope you keep us posted. I understand what your concerns about learning a new language -- I'm finding it challenging to learn ASL also. Maybe you can ask your BSL teacher for some suggestions? If they have taught for awhile, they probably have some ideas on what works and what doesn't. I hope you keep us posted as to how you like it. AJWSmith likes this. __________________ I was a mainstreamed "solitaire". I'm currently learning ASL. My hearing loss ranges from moderate to profound; my audiogram and speech discrimination are posted here.

10-31-2011, 12:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	Let us know how the classes are going! AJWSmith likes this. __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

10-31-2011, 12:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
sharpee Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 4	Good luck I started my BSL 1 in September, 7 weeks in, at 1st it is literally all fingers and thumbs, but getting well enough to be able to converse with our other students, I am one of two that are deaf the others are hearing. It is practice and don't rush the signs as that confuses speed comes later. Good tip I got from a deaf friend who signs really well, "think of pictures not words" AJWSmith likes this.

10-31-2011, 03:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Speedy Hawk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: England Posts: 816	Good luck and enjoy! Agree poster above. Think in pictures, draw pictures, fill in details and colour it in. That what BSL is bit like. AJWSmith likes this.

10-31-2011, 05:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
AJWSmith Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: live? I'm the walking dead! Posts: 685	First lesson went OK. Having learned a few BSL signs already, my wife & I had a head start. But it's nice having feedback from our Deaf tutor on how good or bad my signs are as looking at a YouTube clip doesn't give you that. I got confused when we were having a tour of the building and the tutor was explaining about the ladies toilet - turns out that the sign for toilet and woman are quite similar. __________________ Born deaf. Profound hearing loss in both ears (90-105dB). Wears Oticon Spirit Zest C SP (Chili) You can also find me on twitter as @AJWSmith and on Google+ as AJW Smith

10-31-2011, 06:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jazzberry Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: New York State Posts: 761 Blog Entries: 2	That's great though that you and your wife were able to understand that in the first class! Did you get a chance to sign or talk with the other students? __________________ I was a mainstreamed "solitaire". I'm currently learning ASL. My hearing loss ranges from moderate to profound; my audiogram and speech discrimination are posted here. Last edited by Jazzberry; 11-01-2011 at 12:20 AM.

11-01-2011, 12:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	Maybe the reason I've been picking up ASL so quickly is because it's visual. I never thought of that! I've never been one who picks up languages quickly, but I am an artist - so perhaps ASL is getting in via that route. Whoopee!!! AJWSmith likes this. __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

11-01-2011, 11:34 PM	#22 (permalink)
mbrek Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,512 Blog Entries: 1	How about "I live in the women's toilet" for a good BSL phrase to sign? (Let's hope you never encounter it, though!) AJWSmith likes this. __________________ Sarcasm - just another little service I offer.

11-03-2011, 10:59 AM	#29 (permalink)
Speedy Hawk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: England Posts: 816	Both sign I use for "home" for homework is same sign go home, not roof one.

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