[language] Sign language

[wispfox]

I kinda want to learn sign language. I already know most of the alphabet (and numbers 1-10), because my mom knew it. And I suspect strongly that when I get nonverbal, I would probably still be able to sign.

But I'm nervous about it, because I tend to be bad with languages. Also because I don't think most of the people I know know it, so I'd have no one to practice with.

So I am indecisive... and yet curious!

Comments

[laura47.livejournal.com]

i took sign language! it is awesome! take it!

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Where did you take it?

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

You're in a city, so there are deaf people.

My favorite way to learn ASL is by immersion.

I'll bet there are good classes in Boston.

Almost all deaf people I've met are fine with people hanging out on the fringes of their social functions (though it can feel like being the ultimate third wheel) to practice ASL.

Try deaf? Folks there are friendly, you can ask questions along those lines.

(I sign reasonably well, but rustily. I used to teach deaf kids, but my arthritis has affected my practice.)

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

You're in a city, so there are deaf people.

Yessss... but my social energy levels are low. So while your suggestion of hanging out on the fringes of their social functions makes excellent sense, I am unlikely to actually _do_ it.

As for deaf, thanks for the pointer! Since, yes, if nothing else, they might know where I could go to learn!

[ladytabitha.livejournal.com]

I'd learn with you.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Ooooh. Yay! I shall have to investigate more in depth, then, because learning _with_ someone would help.

[regyt.livejournal.com]

So would I. I used to know the alphabet, and I still remember how to sign words like turtle, cookie, orgasm, horde, dead, resurrected, and frog.

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

You know, or could easily be introduced to, a good half-dozen or so. Try the classes at CCAE (http://www.ccae.org/catalog/courses/course_details.php?id=523460) or Brookline Adult Ed (http://www.brooklineadulted.org/bin/catalog/bldCatalogPage.pl?File=LanguageArts.txt&Key=35). We (dilletante, fennel, and myself) have fallen off the wagon, recently, but would like to get back on. Playing "Once Upon A Time" was fun. :)

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Hmm! Ok, I'm pleased that you have suggestions for places to go. :)

And... does "would like to get back on" mean you're interested _now_? Or no?

[keyne.livejournal.com]

So is Trivial Pursuit! (hint, hint)

[corivax.livejournal.com]

Learning sign language uses very different parts of the brain than learning a vocal language, so "I tend to be bad with languages" may not even apply! Go for it!

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Learning sign language uses very different parts of the brain than learning a vocal language

Which might be why I think I would still be able to sign, even if I couldn't speak!

Shall investigate. :)

[keyne.livejournal.com]

Certainly this was topaz_munro's experience -- he tends to be not-great with spoken/written languages (of which he's studied several), which are much easier for me. But when we studied ASL he had a definite advantage, because of a background in acting/mime. (I'm okay at remembering handshapes, not so great at facial expressions!)

Survey says...give it a try.

[drwex]

Learning sign language uses very different parts of the brain than learning a vocal language

Do you have any evidence for this? I'd have to go back to my reference materials, but this seems to contradict what I read when I was studying gesture for my MS thesis.

[jedi-diplomat.livejournal.com]

starandrea knows sign language. Not sure how close you are to her. Tho I could safely say, closer than I am to her. ;) You know, I always think that knowing other languages is a good thing, but then I'm much more of a visual learner and good with languages so that kinda colors my perspective.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Locationwise, not terribly close to her. Unfortunately. But yes, I know she knows it. :)

[conuly]

Just to interject, there's no such language as "sign language". That's like saying "I want to learn Spoken Language". Each sign language is a distinct entity - you want to learn ASL, or CSL, or BSL, or whatever.

deaf isn't a bad idea, they should be able to point you in the direction of some good online resources - and most communities have classes in ASL (at least, in the US they do!) that you could take.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

True. I want to learn ASL. :) (mostly because that's what I already know a little bit of)

[ladytabitha.livejournal.com]

So to be correct, she should've said "I want to learn a signed language".

[bernmarx.livejournal.com]

Odd this topic should come up now. I'm watching "Messiah" on BBC America, and there's a significant amount of subtitled dialogue between the main character and his deaf SO. Assuming it's accurate, BSL seems much easier (to me, at least) than ASL -- I've managed to pick up a few snippets here and there.

[okoshun.livejournal.com]

I took sign language at a local college many years ago and loved it. I don't remember much of it, but I had a great time. I'm *horrible* with languages, but it's so expressive and interesting the way sentences are formed.

[entrochan.livejournal.com]

I definately think you should do it, especially with the possibility of it accessing completely different channels in your brain. I mean, that's just *cool*.

And I would tend to point you towards the "Adult Ed" programs like Cambridge Center for Adult Ed. They tend to be fairly low-key classes (unlike, say, a Harvard Extention School class, which is just a fuckton of work.)

[hawkegirl.livejournal.com]

Depending on the timing I would take a class with you, and I would practice it with you.

Loosing my hearing and all, I shouldn't put it off for too long.

I did know a lot as a kid, but have forgotten most of it.

[drwex]

*blink* Losing your hearing?? *blink* Wassap?

[hawkegirl.livejournal.com]

Ah yeah, I was ranting about it before you were ljing much (or at all). I have hearing loss in low frequency (unusal usually people loose high first). It's unkown if it will continue to go, how quickly or stay the same. There isn't anything I can really do about it now. There is a very risky surgery that might help at least keep it the same, but it's quite risky, and it's not that bad (yet) so I'm just trying to be very careful with my ears around noise and keep checking up.