Which is easier to learn? Sign Language (ASL) or spanish?

Question

I need to take 2 years of a language in college.

I tried spanish in high school, but I didn't pick it up at all. I had a very hard time learning it. I had my worst grades in spanish.

Now I need to take a foreign language in college.
Which should I take? Should I take spanish again (which I know will be hard for me)? or should I try sign language?

Answer 1

ASL!!! Although Spanish might be more beneficial to you, ASL is much easier. I know ASL and am self taught.

When I was young I knew the alphabet, but not much else. I seen a play in my town, which was done by the school for the deaf. Shortly after, I found an ASL book at home, made decades ago. I picked it up, started learning it. took me no time at all to learn it. Now I happily sit down with a group of deaf friends and chat away.

ASL is useful because, not only does it remove the barrier between hearing and deaf/H.H., but it's can be used in loud environments, areas where vocal communication is not an option, and even between people without a common language. Signs are very easy to interpret, so even people who do not understand sign or English, can still get the gist if what you are trying to tell them.

I am in the process of learning several languages, including Spanish. It is a fairly easy language to learn, especially if you have any background in French. I love it, but ASL was much easier to learn!

Conclusion:
If you want easy, go ASL
If you want useful, it will depend on your situation.

Answer 2

I'm only in 8th grade, so I know this might not mean much to you,.. but when I was in first grade, I learned the alphabet in sign language and haven't forgotten it to this day. I've always had a hard time with spanish and I forget it very easily. I find Sign Language alot easier to learn because you're learning hand signals for words, instead of a different word in a different accent (sp) that is supposed to mean the same thing as a word in english. So I would say take Sign Language, esspecially if you had a hard time learning Spanish, because it probably won't get any easier in College.

:] :]

Answer 3

The good thing about ASL is that if you don't know the sign for a word you can always finger-spell it.

I first learned Signed Exact English before I took ASL. I had a very difficult time with the grammatical structure and ended up just signing in "Exact Pigeon-English."

If you want a place to use your sign language after you graduate, there are BIG deaf communities in Rochester, NY (National Technical Institute for the Deaf) and Washington, DC (Galludette University.)

Since Spanish is in higher demand, you will have more opportunity to use it. Since ASL is in lower demand, you can probably get more money for knowing it.
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Answer 4

Sign language would be interesting to learn, but Spanish would probably be more useful. I would go for Spanish.

Answer 5

any language will take practice no matter what language it is. Spanish is not that hard, I don't think but it will take practice to master it. Spanish you read it, write it and pronounce it the same way.

Sign language you have to learn to use your hands and remember what they mean. So as in anything, you just have to practice and with practice comes perfection.

Answer 6

I've studied both. You might have an easier time with ASL, as it's a combination of literal and conceptual signs, rather than word-specific.

The only downside is finding people to practice with. I found this site to be a wonderful teaching aid:
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/syllabus-selfstudy.htm

Answer 7

asl isnt that hard, but then again, i dont think foreign langs are that hard. im in italian and did 3 of french. some asl is soooo easy and the grammar isnt as difficult. plus, well its american so its just learning a new way to say words u already know

Answer 8

Sign Language is easiest to pick up but if you know Spanish you should stick with it, if you want

Answer 9

I think Spanish would be more beneficial to you in the long run. Give it another try with more dedication and I bet you will be happy you did.

Answer 10

Off course spanish. And the most important thing is you can use it in everyday life.You can get 6 days free course.