[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

[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.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I seem to remember something about how it uses the same parts of the brain if you're a native speaker, but different if you pick it up as a second language. The auditory processing centers get moved over into language processing for ASL if that's your primary language, but, if you're a hearing person, you're using those auditory processing centers for, you know, processing audio, and so you end up using your visual and kinesthetic senses as a non-native speaker.

But I heard that as sort of casual conversation, so can't point to any references.

[drwex]

OK, if something crosses your line of sight please point it out to me. I'm aware of work showing different parts of the brain being used for "native" languages versus other, but that seems to be much more age-related than anything else. I hadn't seen any of this work applied to signed languages.

[baratron.livejournal.com]

In the UK, some people with learning disabilities learn Makaton (http://www.makaton.org/about/about.htm) as their first language. It is a simplified form of BSL (British Sign Language). The idea is that by using sign and speech together, Makaton makes it easier to learn speech (http://www.makaton.org/about/parents.htm). It also removes the frustration that some disabled people have when they can't get their mouths or voices to work. Although not everyone understands Makaton, at least they will be able to communicate with their parents and carers.

Makaton has been used for a while - I know a 40 year old who learnt modified BSL as his first language. Eventually Makaton users should be able to progress to Sign-Supported English, normal English or BSL, which helps them function in the wider world.

This list of research papers might answer your question (http://www.makaton.org/research/research.htm).

[drwex]

This goes to my point about the first language you learn being different than other languages. Or rather, languages you learn before a certain age are learned differently than languages learned later.

[baratron.livejournal.com]

Yes, but you also said you hadn't seen any of that work applied to signed languages. So I found some for you. Pardon me for bothering.