I was thinking that maybe learning sign language would not only help me communicate with the deaf, but also help me learn languages like italian and French faster. Like if I’m learning the french word for Car I can sign car at the same time and I’ll remember what the word means. I don’t know just a thought. Anyone know?
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I have been told that sign languages also differ per language. For example when you would sign car in your native sign language, a French person will think you mean a dishwasher.
You wouldn’t necessarily have to learn an established sign language, you could make up your own sign, like a driving wheel for example = car, if you are just using it as an aide memoire.
Signs vary from Country to Country although many are understood because they are what is known as “natural signs”, e.g. mime milking a cow = milk, shaking a salt pot over food and looking enquiringly at someone = pass the salt, hands together palms up and then open them flat = book.
There is a huge dictionary, issued by the BDS, of British Deaf Signing signs. It could be at your local library or they may be able to get it on inter-library loan, if you just want to learn a few signs rather than becoming a deaf communicator.
I did read somewhere that learning a language stimulates our neurons or whatever to learn an additional language.
When I resumed ASL/English interpreting full time (my second non-native lang) my spoken French skills improved bcs I was using my second language daily (I have mediocre French skils but am exposed to it frequently).
On another note, some teachers use signs to reinforce spoken/written language for kids with learning disabilities so pairing a sign with the new spoken vocab would reinforce remembering that new vocab. When I meet a new person (I am so awful at remembering names) if I fingerspell (sign) the name 3 times, I will remember next time I see them. I am a highly visual learner and functionally.
No, it can’t, unfortunately.
No. I can’t imagine how that would help you, except if ASL is your first learned language, in which case, it might help you organize your thoughts and understand how languages can differ.
The idea that you can sign “car” and learn the French equivalent is weird. Why would you need a second language to remember a word in a 3rd language? Perhaps your understanding of what ASL is is slightly off reality.
Definitely! Go for it, it’s fun! Learning a language or two or three at once can be very good, they say once that part of your brain is open, that it’s ready to absorb and learn!
But, like another said, would you learn French Sign Language(LSF), like the sign language that matches whatever language you’re learning? or do you mean American sign Language (ASL), or just signs for individual words and not actually a language?
There’s also international sign language that generalizes, you could look into that, or make up your own “signs” just be sure not to mistake it for a language or use with a Deaf person.
Hope it works out! Happy learning!
I am learning sign language and I love it. right now I am just learning easy words and as time goes on I will be learning more words. many times I go onto youtube.com and learn from there. I went to the library and got some easy lessons.