American Sign Language

United States
October 8, 2007 9:30pm CST
My son and I are taking lessons on sign language from a friend of mine. I have a friend who is deaf that I have known since high school, and have always promised her that I would learn sign language. Well, we just had our 20 year class reunion, and I still do not know sign language, but now am starting to learn. It is very hard remember so many signs, some of them are so close together, but this is something that I would like to do so I am learning. Does anyone else know sign language? Did you have trouble learning or is it just me? It seems so hard to remember, but we are only in our fourth week, so maybe it will just take some time.
2 people like this
7 responses
@dani27 (544)
• United States
20 Oct 07
I have been interested in sign since I was young. My mom babysat two kids who both their parents were deaf. We learned a little, my mom regrets not having us all learn when we were y oung and had the opportunity. As I am older I took a year in college. I love it and was going to get in the interpreting program but because of work and my hubby going to school I didn't. It is very hard to keep up on your own but since you have someone to practice with that is great. I have been teaching my daughter and she is 21 months old and she knows about 25 signs. Good luck and keep up on it. Oh ya, some more advice, in your community find a deaf group or others who are learning it and get together. I went to a party for the deaf community and it is so much fun to go sign with them and just watch. Good luck.
• United States
9 Nov 07
We are enjoying it, and would like to find a group here in our town once we know more signs. Thanks!
@Jemina (5770)
16 Oct 07
I am learning American Sign Language by myself. A friend gave me a self-study book and for the first two weeks I was so keen on learning it. It was fun but I know I still lack the other expressions needed to make the sentences more lively. Then I got some songs and put sign language to it and taught it to my students. That way, I learned faster. But I still have to know some words. anyway, it would be fun to be able to talk to deaf with their language.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Oct 07
I think it is easier to learn sign language from someone who uses it all the time and keeps up with any changes. We are really enjoying it and are now trying to expand our group to more than 4 people. Good luck to you on learning more signs!
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
9 Oct 07
I don't know how to do it. I too have always said I wanted to learn but I never have. I've never known anyone that was deaf either. I think its a great thing to learn and you never know, you might need to use it someday to help someone. Keep at it, you'll do fine.
• United States
9 Oct 07
Thanks! I know I keep thinking about doing foster care and it might come in handy because there are a lot of kids in foster care who are deaf. I also think that it would be good because I work in a resturaunt and we have a couple of deaf people who come in, but they always have interpreters with them.
@fineartist (1217)
• United States
9 Oct 07
I never learned sign language. I think it is wonderful that you are learning how to do it. Everything is hard to learn in the beginning. Perhaps you and your son can practice together? Good luck to you!
• United States
9 Oct 07
We do practice together and try to sign the alphabet and some of the words that we know already. Thanks!
• China
18 Jun 08
Well,I did not see it that it is 9 months ago, you posted the discussion,I think this time(now)you know how express yourself by sign language,right? I do not know sign language,but I have a friend he knows,'cos his mother is deaf,so he have to talk with his mother in sign language,that it is!take care
• Canada
17 Jun 08
I learned sign language when I was five at a deaf school in Milton, Ontario becasue I have a hearing loss but only stayed at the deaf school for the 1st 3 yrs then went to a regular hearing school since I could hear very well with my hearing aids on. Without my hearing aids, I am deaf. Teaching people sign language is a challenging and its so much to learn with expressions deaf people use when they talk. My husband is deaf and I use sign language all the time. I speak too and I can communicate on the phone like a normal hearing person.
• New Zealand
9 Apr 08
Hi there. My Neice needs this way of communication so we are learning it so we can communicate with her. Not a lot at all else. It seems easy for a bit and then it seems a bit worse after that cos of me learning stuff I have. We are learning NZ Sign Language. Catch ya later.