SIGN LANGUAGE??? if you know anything about it......help me!?

Question

is it more useful for me to learn american or british SIGN LANGUAGE???


also, how long do will it take me?

i have been learning spanish for about three years and french for four years and i can communicate really well in them but will it take longer or shorter to make the same progress in sign language?

thanks guys x

it seems complicated, is it easy once you get started just like foriegn languages?

Answer 1

Sign language is for the deaf but its good if a person that can hear can learn the basics as we sometimes meet up with people with hearing disabilities. As for taking a long time to learn, not really, First you learn the alphabet using your hand and fingers (helps if your nimble fingered) Then you learn gestures to indicate words. not really hard at all. With practise you can learn the alphabet in a month.

Answer 2

First of all, if you live where "American" English is spoken, learn American Sign Language. I'm not familiar with British sign language and can't say how different it might be. But contrary to popular misconception, signing is NOT a universal language.

The fact that you have good skills in learning a second and third language already is a plus. You probably have some natural aptitude for language.

Assuming that you do not have any fine motor problems that make the actual formation of the signs difficult for you, you will probably be competent in ASL more quickly than you were in Spanish and French. Why? Because you already think in English. You will need to learn how to express yourself in English by using sign instead of speech, and there are differences in syntax and grammar, just as there are in foreign languages; sign tends to get to the point quicker, skipping words and phrases that are unneccesary to the meaning of the communication. (Signing Exact English, or SEE sign, has gone out of favor, partly because of that.) But if you have a good teacher, you will probably be able to learn the vocabulary really quickly. Most signs have at least some element that seems very logical to those of us with speech - for example, "forget" is the letter F drawn across ones forehead. F is for forget, and the memory was swept out of my head.

I am far from fluent in ASL, but I have spent my adult life working with people who have disabilities, and signing is so beautiful and expressive. Whenever I am at an event in which a sign language interpreter is present, I find myself completely drawn into the complete presentation of a good interpreter, who uses not only the signs but also body language and facial expressions to convey the nuances of meaning. It's wonderful to watch even when you don't know all the signs.

Answer 3

I have learned the american sign langauge and would advise it. It is more common than others and more people communicate with it. It will depend on how long it will take you to learn it. But like all language especially sign. You have to use it or lose it. You really need to communicate daily with it. I use it for work so I am using it most of the time. But even then certain phrases or words I will forget and it takes me sometime to think about it. So when you learn it which you will. Just use it alot even during hearing conversations. Practise makes perfect right!
It does seem complicated but it is also very unique and fun to learn.

Answer 4

ASL is pretty simple..there is usually the basic course and then the advanced. If you get to where you know it well, you can be an interpreter for the deaf or teach it in college. Spanish and French are o.k. to learn but so many people know Spanish. If you live in America it's not necessary to know a foreign language though it might be nice. As with anything, the more you use it, the better and faster you will become. Interpreters are really hard to find and the pay is really good.

Answer 5

Which sign language you study depends on where you live. There are differences between British and American sign language.

The learning curve is probably the same as with any foreign language.

I believe the basics are well established but the language is still evolving so refresher courses are probably a good idea.

I took a basic course, didn't do to well but I have never been very good with foreign languages either.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 6

If you live in America or most places in Canada -- learning ASL would be the better bet. If you live in the UK, learning BSL would be the better choice. You would want to learn the language that you are more likely to use and be able to find people to practice with.

Learning any language takes time. How proficient you are depends on how much you use it, pratice it and the skills of your teachers. The more immersed you are, the better your chances. Learning a language is a lifetime adventure. I am an ASL-English interpreter and I am still learning all the time! And I have been signing for 13 years. That is part of why I like my job. :o)

Most important -- find a class with a qualified teacher. They need to know the language and know how to teach. The American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) has a certification for teachers. You will want to make sure that your instructors sign most if not all of the class period -- and never sign and talk at the same time. (you can't produce two languages at the same time!) Your textbooks shoud also include videotapes, not just books. Sign is a 3D language that doesn't lend itself to being written down.

Books and websites will not be enough to become fluent, and can lead to some bad habits. You need to communicate with other people so that you can make sure that your pronunciation and grammar are correct. ASL and BSL are not just word for word subsititutions for English words. You will have to work hard at first to remember that, because your tendency will be to just assign one sign for one word. It is natural, but something that you will have to work on!

Because you have studied other languages, it should make it easier for your to learn sign - so this is good! :o)

What are your motivations in learning sign? If it is just an interest -- that is still great -- you will be able to communicate with a whole new group of people.

If you want to be an interpreter, you could really be in demand if you keep up your Spanish skills as well. There is an ever-increasing need for tri-lingual (ASL-Spanish-English) interpreters out there!!! I image that also applies to BSL-Spanish-English interpreters as well.

If you want to study linguistics, then adding BSL or ASL to the mix can be helpful! You will have a head start in understanding language is not only based in verbal communication. With having already studied two other languages, you will increase your chance of getting into a good linguistics program.

If you want to teach languages, then ASL can be fun and is in high demand! The increase in demand for ASL classes has been 400%! That is HUGE!

I work in video relay interpreting. That means I interpret phone calls between persons that are deaf or hard of hearing (on a videophone) and hearing persons (on a telephone). This has exposed me to so many different "accents" around the country -- it is all still ASL, but there are differnt signs that are more popular in different areas. They also employ folks that are ASL-Spanish-English interpreters for video relay! We need more of these folks!

ASL interpreters are needed -- there is a shortage all around the country. So if you like the idea of constantly learning, working with folks and helping to create access for people -- this could be the career for you! I certainly get a kick out of people getting access where before they have had none. Make sure that if you do this that you get an appropriate education and certification.

Answer 7

I am a hearing imparied individual. I know sign language just a little bit. Just like with any other new things, it is hard to grasp at first, but will start to getting adjust to. Many hard of hearing, deaf people would really be grateful for hearing people who would actually take out the time to read about the "Gift" that we have and learned about it.
You will feel good that you did.
thanks

Answer 8

i don't know much about the british version, but i found asl pretty easy to grasp. the first thing you have to realize with it is that it's more of a literal language. for instance, there are several words in the english language that have multiple meanings, but with asl, there's a different sign for each meaning. the easiest way to practice it is to try and sign the lyrics to songs you hear on the radio, we actually did several songs as assignments. it's helpful if you learn from a book, but what helped me the most was that my instructor was also an interpreter as well, so he taught us the asl slang that's often left out of the textbooks. shop around for book & video combinations, it'll help out a lot. good luck!

Answer 9

I've taken sign language before. It is fun to learn, and not too difficult, in fact, I found it easier than learning spanish. I'd say if you wanted to be very good at sign language, then you may want to take it for a year or two.

Have fun.

Answer 10

I find it easiest to learn sign language along with music/songs. I teach in preschool, and I do sign language with the children's songs that I sing with the kids. Something about associating the sign with music really seems to help ingrain it in your head.