Learning sign language (BSL and ASL)
Jan 2nd, 2008 | By Steve | Category: Sign language
One of my new year resolutions is to begin learning sign language. It is something I have been thinking about for many years but have never got around to doing. I guess, similar to a spoken language, sign is not something your are going to learn in a short period of time - I think I need to take positive action now and start to learn so that when I do eventually lose my ability to hear I will still have a method of communication.
I know next to nothing about ASL and BSL at the moment. I can sign the BSL alphabet, but that’s it.
Does anyone know of any good books, courses or online tutorials for learning ASL and BSL? As I live in the UK, BSL is my main priority but I’d like to learn a bit of ASL too.
Thanks.
I think you’ve made a profoundly positive decision to learn to sign. Since you’re already hard of hearing, attending classes or studying books is not the approach I would recommend. I’ve never taken a sign language class in my life (although I’ve taught many of them). Over the years I’ve come to realize that no one can “teach” ASL (or BSL in your case). All a teacher can do is present concepts and model success. The only way language is truly transmitted between people is through “LEARNING.” In other words, don’t go to a teacher — go to Deaf people, and try to understand what they’re saying. At first it will be terribly frustrating, and you’ll feel like you don’t belong. But don’t give up! Never, ever give up! Keep with it, and soon you will begin to understand some of the concepts being discussed. At some point you will want to join in the conversation, and feel very frustrated that you don’t know the grammar, even if you do know the signs. Keep struggling. Try your best to THINK in BSL, rather than relying on English.
After a period of time you will find yourself participating in discourse, and understanding everything people are saying. And don’t be frightened at being corrected by Deaf people. Deaf people are blunt and honest - just like the Tutors at Cambridge, they expect proper usage of the language. If a Deaf person is willing to take the time to correct your usage, you’ve been accepted! Most Hearing people who take the language are simply acknowledged and ignored by most Deaf people. But because you’re unique, because you’re “one of us” they will embrace your efforts and encourage your language improvement.
3 Cheers for Deaf people who learn their “native” language!!!
Although I agree with i_c_voices that there’s no better “classroom”, than going out in the community of signers, I do see a lot of value in formal BSL education (suggest you wait on ASL till later), and make sure the teacher is Deaf and is a renowned and excellent teacher and that the curriculum at the place of learning is the highest quality at that time.
Having a strong foundation in formal learning of a Sign Language along with good introduction to the Deaf Culture will provide you will tools to learn well in the community…not only that, it will also show the community that you respect them much to spend time (and money maybe) learning about them, how to use their language, and how to behave as appropriately as possible. That should gain you respect and appreciation from the community.
Wishing you fun, joy, as well as challenges but ones you will benefit much from.
Thank you!!
MAYBE YOU CAN BECAME OUR TEACHER VLOG TO TEACH ABOUT BSL ON VLOG AND WE CAN WATCH FROM BASIC SIGN LANGAUGE TO GO UP AND UP MORE SIGN LANGAUGE SO WE CAN DO OUR HOMEWORK ON VLOG HEE HEE AND I KNOW ASL SIGN LANGAUGE SMILE. SO I CAN KNOW MORE BSL FROM ANOTHER DEAF PEOPLE USE BSL SIGN LAUGAUGE POINT DIFFERENT IN ONE HAND AND I SAID WHOA WHAT IS THAT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT REALLY HARDEST. SO I THINK BEST FOR YOU BEING TEACHER IN VLOG WILL BE GREATEST FOR EVERYONE CAN STUDY YOUR BSL IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. STARTING 2008 SMILE.
Don’t overlook YouTube if you’re a visual learner like me. I am learning ASL and have found videos posted that teach signs. I searched BSL just now and it looks like there are similar videos for BSL. Good luck and keep us informed of your progress!
Ella and I_C_Voices,
Thank you both for the comments. I agree with Ella - I plan to learn the basics via some kind of tutorial and then take that knowledge and hopefully join in some conversations where I can. I guess it can’t hurt to at least get a grounding in the language before trying to use it.
Alan,
Yeah, putting some BSL videos on here was something I have been thinking about. I will see how the learning goes and maybe start a vlog at some point.
Also Alan, thanks for all your comments on my blog - you have taken the time to comment on quite a few different articles and I really appreciate that.
If anyone out there wants to post any kind of BSL tutorial on here then I would be more than happy to put it on!
Sarah,
Youtube - good call. I had started to look around for videos but hadn’t thought of that - despite it being the most obvious place to start! Thanks.
Hello!
I think this try.