Understanding Sign Language
Here are useful tips to help you learn American Sign Language. The body gestures, facial expressions, and keeping eye contacts means more than you might imagine.
Anybody can learn to use sign language by, using the hands, body, and facial expressions. For instance, when we are happy or are attracted to something, we move forward. When we are afraid or are repelled, we move back. Above all, remember to remain observant and maintain eye contact. Looking away is a sign of rudeness in the deaf community.
Remember these basic concepts when learning to sign.
- Relax your physical inhibitions and make full use of your body gestures.
- Use facial expressions to enhance meaning. The same sign can have subtle differences of meaning depending on the facial expressions of the speaker.
- Use natural gestures. As in a game of charades, many formal signs actually look like what they mean. Practice conveying ideas without using words.
- In sign language, it is not impolite to point.
- Mouth movements aren’t always used to make English words. Use mouth movements as adjectives-a pucker for sourness for example.
- To communicate in American Sign Language, You must draw pictures that show spatial relationships. You must “set the stage” before you will be understood.
- If you can, volunteer at a school for the deaf or some other place where you can observe the language as it is fluently spoken by members of the deaf community.
- Study; take courses at the local college.
- Be patient! The transition from spoken English to ASL is difficult. The languages operate differently and cannot be interchanged word for word. Learn the distinct rules of grammar, style, and usage as you would for any foreign language.
- Enjoy! Enter the flow of this beautifully expressive language, and let it move you.
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User Comments
IcyCucky
On December 14, 2007 at 8:03 am
What a wonderful article, and great tips. I’ve learned a lot from your writing! Thank you..
Dee Huff
On December 14, 2007 at 9:19 am
You make it sound so expressive. I shall watch carefully next time I see someone using sign language, and I’ll especially remember the maintaining eye contact rule. Thank you.
Ruby Hawk
On December 14, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Thank you ladies for your interest. I have learned from your writing too. I am always interested in learning something new.
Lucy Lockett
On December 14, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Did you know New Zealand sign language is different from Australian sign language? I guess that would be the same for American sign language too. Great article, bringing understanding and patience!
Judy Sheldon-Walker
On December 14, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I have always been fascinated in watching someone sign. There is a new push to communicate using signing with infants. It is supposed to be less frustrating for baby. ?
C A Johnson
On December 14, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Great job on your article. I take American Sign Language classes and these tips are helpful to me.
Ruby Hawk
On December 18, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Thanks all,and Lucy I didn’t know New Zealand sign language was different than American. Isn’t it amazing? C A Johnson, thank you for letting us know about your classes. I like to watch signers too.
Judy, I had read about babies using sign language. I can imagine that they would learn it with less frusteration.
Mellie
On December 19, 2007 at 4:07 pm
This is quite interesting. I would like to study sign language but I haven’t done it yet. It is a beautiful thing to see people sign.
Gail Nobles
On December 21, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Great Article! Keep up the good work!
Mingo
On December 31, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Does anyone know where you would go to learn sign language?
Ruby Hawk
On January 14, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Mingo, I wish I could help you but I don’t know where you can take classes. Look in your phone book and see if it is listed there.
Amos
On January 22, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I have seen sign language and it looks difficult.
Hannah
On April 20, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I have seen the sign language. It is very expressive with use of the hands and facial expressions. Your article was of interest to me. Thank you.
Ruby Hawk
On June 27, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Thank you to all my friends who read my articles. I know many of you do not make comments but I would appreciate it so much if you would. Take care.
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