[Iterp]

First can I say I LOVE THIS THREAD!

I'm an interpreter, and have been a fluent signer for a while now. I absolutely love ASL and the issues this show addresses.

ASL is definitely it's very own language. It has it's own vocabulary and syntax. And all different languages have their own sign language. American Sign Language is really only used in America. For instance, BSL (British Sign Language) is very different!

[GrhmLz]

^ ah, that's interesting, thanks for answering that. So, it's kind of similar to how some languages have different dialects, for example, the Spanish language. In Sign Language, there can be differences between how American sign language is used compared to British Sign Language?!

[Iterp]

There are even different signs for the same word in different states. Most words have 2 or 3 signs for them sometimes too. It's very much like different accents and slang in different regions. Plus, there's ASL which is the preferred language, ESL which is English sign language which is common around hearing and mainstreamed kids, and a pidgon language which is kind of a mixture of both.

[GrhmLz]

Wow, so it can get complicated to learn, lol. Getting familiar with the differences ...

[Iterp]

Lol it can be difficult to learn, but once you get the hang of enough vocabulary that you can string sentences together, the best thing to do is just practice and talk to tons of different people. Watching so many different deaf people sign with me is how I learned the quickest. They're the best to learn from!

[GrhmLz]

^ That's cool, so it's bascially like the more you immerse yourself in the environment, the more you pick up and learn with different people who might sign differently.

[Iterp]

Exactly. You'll also get better at your receptive skills, which are the hardest part. Do you know any sign language yourself now?

[Tina]

I agree with your answers, Leslie. I'm in the process going onto my 3rd ASL class. I'm almost finished with my degree in human services.

Glad you enjoyed the Adele video.

[GrhmLz]

Originally Posted by Iterp (View Post) Exactly. You'll also get better at your receptive skills, which are the hardest part. Do you know any sign language yourself now?

No, I don't know anything at all right now.

That's awesome about your degree, Tina. Congrats with that, school is alot of hard work. I actually want to go back. That's cool that you've taken signing classes too.

[Iterp]

Tina! A fellow ASL'er! Excited to hear that!

Regina Spektor - Fidelity (ASL) - YouTube

This guy is amazing. He's my favorite song signer. His ASL and idioms are amazing!

[GrhmLz]

Oh, that's awesome that he 'signs' songs.

[Iterp]

There are several people who do it. I took an artistic signing class for my major. I've thought of starting a youtube channel myself.

[GrhmLz]

Good luck with it if you decide to do it.

[Iterp]

Thanks! There's just a lot of work to put into doing something like that. There's a lot of people to consult on there though. There's a lot of talented ones!

[GrhmLz]

That's great that they're are others already out there who have done it and could probably assist if need be.