People who would like to learn American Sign Language (ASL) typically have the goal of helping others who are deaf or hearing impaired. Acquiring skills with ASL can help with contributing to community functions or lead to finding work as an interpreter or educator. As with anyone picking up a new language, learning ASL contributes to improving brain functions by opening up new areas of thinking along with another method of communicating. Knowledge in ASL allows individuals with or without a hearing impairment to become involved in a variety of activities that may expand their horizons. The ability to communicate using ASL provides opportunities for meeting new people, contributing to the community, or finding a new career.
What is ASL?
American Sign Language is a language for the eyes in contrast to most other languages, which are phonetic. ASL is a language separate from others in that it is intended to help people communicate through hand motions, shapes, and placement along with facial expressions and body movement. This visual language possesses its own grammar and syntax system. Knowledge in ASL allows individuals with or without a hearing impairment to become involved in a variety of activities for expanding their horizons.
However, ASL is not a universal language as other countries and regions throughout the world have their own sign languages, including the British Sign Language (BSL) and the French Sign Language (FSL), which possess different dialects like many spoken languages. People communicate using ASL mainly in the United States, areas of Canada, and parts of Africa and Asia.
Benefits of Learning ASL?
People can benefit from learning American Sign Language in several ways. As with any person learning any new language, ASL can contribute to improving brain functions by opening up new ways of thinking along with new methods for communication. One of the main reasons for learning ASL would be for helping someone who is deaf, experiencing substantial hearing loss, or who may have loved ones who are deaf or hearing impaired. However, acquiring skills with ASL can also be used for helping with community services or finding a career. Work related to skills with ASL includes becoming an Interpreter for a government agency, corporation, or church services.
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This visual language possesses its own grammar and syntax system. High schools, universities, and other educational institutions in the U.S. accept ASL as a foreign language requirement needed for graduation. As with many languages, ASL possesses accents and dialects depending on where an individual lives or whatever group or socio-economic environment may affect a person’s way of communicating, including age group and other factors.
Is ASL Easy to Learn?
Learning any new language can be difficult simply because a person has to learn new patterns and rules inherent with communicating. As with any language, ASL has its own rules for grammar and syntax, so it’s essential that new students get comfortable with basic techniques for communication through signing, which includes fingerspelling, facial expressions, and body language. It should be noted that ASL differs from the English language in that it is a visual language instead of phonetic. However, the rules of syntax and grammar still apply despite ASL being a language that is seen and not heard. Despite that difference with spoken English, ASL possesses its own grammatical structure and syntax that creates its own complex method for communicating.
For example, anyone interested in learning ASL through virtual learning can enroll at Continuing Professional Studies at Bank Street to take the American Sign Language: Module 1 course. This class provides beginner-level students with immersive training in American Sign Language. The main objective of this course is for learning how to communicate with the deaf along with exploring alternative methods for communicating with children who have language disorders that may affect their ability to comprehend spoken English. The class also explores aspects of Deaf culture along with how ASL has become an essential component for everyday communication.
What You Need to Know Before Learning ASL
Learning any new language will always present a few difficulties. However, there are a few steps any new student can take for learning American Sign Language or any new language.
Most people want to learn ASL for communicating with the deaf and hearing impaired, which provides not only new communication options but new opportunities for connecting with others or finding new careers. Enrolling in ASL courses is an obvious first step. Anyone interested can enroll in courses at local colleges or live online, find free online seminars, or watch free video tutorials.
In learning American Sign Language, students will need to know the basic vocabulary for signing. This includes learning basic words like “hello, ” “please, ” or “thank you.” New learners must also take lessons on the ASL alphabet and language. Learning the ASL alphabet allows students to sign any word, which means that if they have forgotten a specific sign, they will be able to spell it out.
In preparing to train in American Sign Language, it’s essential that participants gain a command of fingerspelling, which can help by practicing spelling everyday objects surrounding them to get used to sharpening their new skills.
What You Need to Learn ASL
ASL is a language for the eyes and not the ears and is separate from other languages as it has been developed for people to communicate through hand motions and shapes, facial expressions, and body movements. American Sign Language possesses its own rules of grammar and syntax. There are several steps that people hoping to learn the language can take to effectively help optimize their training.
Practice Fingerspelling and Body Language
New ASL learners should practice fingerspelling and observing body language. Memorizing letters of the ASL alphabet can help with spelling words to substitute for signs that an individual may have forgotten.
Communication through sign language includes facial expressions and body movements that convey meaning within a conversation. It must be noted that not all signs use non-manual signals. However, facial expressions play a fundamental role in setting the tone of a conversation, including rhythm.
Watch Videos Focuses on ASL
Because ASL is a visual language, finding online videos can help with honing skills for learning techniques. New learners can find free YouTube videos for lessons on how to sign the alphabet, common phrases, and numbers. Videos often provide visual demonstrations for signing that can be paused or repeated.
Participate in a Sign Language Group #3
Another step that individuals training for ASL can take is to join a sign language group. A group allows new students to interact with people in the Deaf community and engage in conversations that help them get comfortable with using the language for practical purposes. Deaf communities can be found in cities throughout the country, which includes attending events that allow new learners to surround themselves with sign language.
Learning any new language involves exploring and embracing a different culture. Aside from improving on skills with ASL, participating in the Deaf community allows new learners to immerse themselves in a new world to connect with a new language.
Key Takeaways
- Knowledge in American Sign Language allows individuals with or without hearing impairments to become involved in a variety of activities by expanding their horizons.
- ASL is a language for the eyes in contrast to others, which are phonetic.
- People can benefit from learning American Sign Language in several ways, including improving brain functions by opening up new ways of thinking.
- Learning any new language can be difficult simply because a person has to learn new patterns and rules inherent with communication.
- There are steps that any new student can take for learning ASL or any new language.
- American Sign Language possesses its own rules of grammar and syntax that anyone hoping to learn the language must know.