Signing with significant other's family....

dereksbicycles

dereksbicycles

Active Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
6,497
Reaction score
27
This is more aimed at those who are deaf/hoh and dating a hearing person.

Let's say that your significant other has taken time and effort to learn ASL to talk to you. That is the good side.

Now, I wonder as a deaf/hoh person dating a hearing person, do you care if your significant other's parents, step parents, siblings, or step siblings take the time to learn ASL to talk to you?

For me, the important thing is that my hearing girlfriend is working hard to learn ASL. Her Mom and 2 siblings do try a little bit. That is fine with me. What her Mom and sisters can and are willing to learn is a big bonus. Yeah, I may be left out at some occasions, but as long as my girlfriend signs and tries to interpret for me, that is ok.

How do you feel?
 
It would depend on how much time you spend with them.
 
And how serious the relationship is. Once you're engaged, and/or living together, I think it's fair to hope for more effort from the mom, siblings, etc. Before that, let's face it, you're just a guy she's dating.
 
You have a L1 and your girl has a L1 but they are different L1s. Your girl is working hard to learn your L1, and her family is putting forth some effort to learn your L1. So what are you doing to learn their L1, or do you already communicate in their L1?
 
My SO's whole family is learning sign. (My SO is hearing). He's starting ASL 3 now, and we've been together 4 years so he's becoming quite fluent.

His parents are taking ASL at the community center, and his brother too. His brother and wife are teaching both their babies (9 months and 2 years old) signs - the 2 year old has learned everything off the flash cards they bought.

So I appreciate all that effort!
 
Alleycat, how nice of that family. Sounds like you've got a winner there, all around.
 
AlleyCat said:
My SO's whole family is learning sign. (My SO is hearing). He's starting ASL 3 now, and we've been together 4 years so he's becoming quite fluent.

His parents are taking ASL at the community center, and his brother too. His brother and wife are teaching both their babies (9 months and 2 years old) signs - the 2 year old has learned everything off the flash cards they bought.

So I appreciate all that effort!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I appreciate the effort. Just wonder if you are married, engaged or just dating your significant other??
 
dereksbicycles said:
Yeah, I appreciate the effort. Just wonder if you are married, engaged or just dating your significant other??
Click to expand...

We are closer to married than anything else :)

We were friends for 6 months before we started dating 4 years ago, and he was already learning sign from me.
 
Back
Top