Understanding Written English

Journey

Journey

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When I am in a group of deafies, some are very easy for me to understand and some are more difficult. Very fast signing almost always has me saying, "whoa, slow please." I am a hearie and I can hear real fast but I can't see so fast lol. Also, sometimes pure ASL is harder for me to understand than signing that is a mix of ASL and english ... BUT, all signing 'paints a picture' so, with patience, eventually all is understood :). With that in mind, I have spent a lot of time looking through the threads since I joined (lots of great comments and information and teasing too! :D) and have noticed a wide variety in the way people write. Some write very clearly in english, some write as they would sign in ASL. When I first read a post that is strong ASL, it is not clear to me. I have to reread it, then sign it to myself and then "aha" I understand :). This has made me wonder .... for those of you who grew up only ASL (little or no mainstreaming in english education with school, family or friends), how time-consuming or frustrating it is for you to translate written english language into your first language (ASL)? Newspapers, books, cc and long-ass posts like this one (haha) must make it very difficult. What could be done to make written information more easily understood? Is there anything (ie: an internet site) that converts written english into written phrases that are more ASL-friendly?
 
I attended two different schools for the deaf. First one is oral but I picked up ASL on the school bus and on the sly in the school. Second one allows ASL and the teachers use ASL. That is even better than the first school.

I tried to write just English. My mother noticed that when I speak, it is in good English so she told me to write by what I will speak. I sort of code switched. Sign ASL but speak/write in English.

ASL had no written system but that is changing if more people learn this: si5s.com. I learned of this when I went to the Deaf Expo at Las Vegas last year. This one is a huge improvement over Sign Writing - SignWriting For Sign Languages as it uses fewer strokes. In Sign Writing, you write as if you are looking at another person but in si5s, you write as if you are looking at your hands.

I have si5s book but would love to write to another deaf person just to practice.
 
I write Queen English everywhere not here. Here can relax this, write how think! Love this :) Is not "hard" write/think English, just take more effort.
 
I am experience lots of English because lots of pretty improve writing and communication to my grandparents and mom also dad lots both sister pretty good communication writing me!
 
Buffalo, what a clever suggestion from your mom :). I still have to translate back and forth from english to ASL in my head but, I know, people who are fluent in two languages can actually think in both languages. Aren't you fortunate to be able to think in both ASL and english! :) I do know a little about sign writing but that isn't what I was wondering about - wondering more about how deafies who have been raised in a strong ASL environment handle reading english day to day ( newspapers, books, etc). I'm not sure I have made my question very clear in my initial post ... not sure it is even clear in my own head haha! But thanks for the information about the newer version of sign writing, I appreciate it.

Sunny,do you spend quite a lot of time in an english/hearing environment? And, when you read english, do you tend to translate it into ASL in your head?

smithtr, I have noticed that you write similar to how you would express yourself in ASL :). Where you raised in a strong ASL environment?

So many questions ... it's so interesting to learn about other people and always appreciate everything people are willing to share with me. I am stuck in bed with a terrible cold so I have lots of time to ask and answer questions today haha poor me and poor you. :p
 
People who are strong ASL first and must translate to English, are usually more at deafvideotv than here.
 
My family / roommate all hearie / English. I grow up English environment. English I know well, ASL more natural feel. Prefer. When read English, depend how feel...sometimes translate ASL, sometimes not.
 
Sunny, it's interesting that you grew up and still live in a predominantly hearing environment but still feel more comfortable using ASL -what is most natural always feels best to us doesn't it :). Where did you learn ASL? School?

You are from the home of the Canucks and I say, "GO OILERS!" ;-) haha
 
I learn ASL school use :) and my best friend growing up deaf, whole family deaf. I spend much time there.

Go Oilers?!?!? Lol. Oilers suck!!!!! I will go see Canucks at Oilers October 15! So excited kick oilers butt!!
 
Thanks Bottesini, I had not heard of deafvideotv so I checked it out. Not a place for me but glad to have learned something new today :).

Sunny, the hockey season has just begun, we'll see whose team gets their butt kicked the most this year :p. Going to the games is so much fun but remember, I will be an invisible little devil sitting on your shoulder whispering, "Oilers, Oilers, Oilers!" lol
 
Whisper all you want! I stone deaf lol!

Oilers SUCK!!!!!! even Ryan can't save them. :)
 
haha ok then the little devil's "o" hand will circle on his stomach (sign for Oilers) :p. It will be your first ever NHL game in person? That IS exciting, you will love it.
 
Journey and anyone else. Deafvideo,tv may not suit some of you; however, the same person who brought us deafvideo.tv also offers deafread.com. Try that one; I think you will like it after you peruse the site for a while and pick and choose what interests you.
 
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