compared to say, learning Spanish? I’m trying to learn Spanish, and I’m struggling so much. Would it be any easierto learn sign language? I just need 2 semeser for school.
.
Join the Conversation
Leave a comment
Sign Language Lessons, Information, Product Reviews and Tips to Get Started Learning ASL
compared to say, learning Spanish? I’m trying to learn Spanish, and I’m struggling so much. Would it be any easierto learn sign language? I just need 2 semeser for school.
.
Where will you use it? Try to choose the one that you may actually use.
good thing about sign language is that you wont have to stress over pronunciation ;p
I am fluent in Sign language, and have attempted to learn Spanish as well… I personally picked up on the sign way faster than Spanish… I am still trying to learn the Spanish and doubt I will ever actually be fluent in it.
The difference is that Sign is ENGLISH… just translated into hand signs. … A deaf person would actually be offended by my saying that.. (so for the deaf readers I am not saying English sign.. I am just trying to explain this to the hearing.)
SIgn Language IS reversed speaking kind of like spanish.. Instead of saying “I want cheese.” you would say “Cheese I want”
I hope these tips help you out. If you are struggeling with Spannish I would for sure say to go for the ASL. (American Sign Language) I personally love it and have made some great deaf friends out there too now that I am fluent. It is a great tight nit community and very fun to be a part of.
Depends on which form you plan to use.
Oddly enough, Many people I talk to think that sign language is a universal language and no matter where in the world you go, one deaf person would be able to speak to another deaf person. Reality, each language also has its sign language. Furthermore, depending on where you live in the states, there are different signs like there are different dialects and accents. However, those variations within english sign language (ESL) is not huge and should not be a problem
That said…. in the States, there are two / three generally accepted sign language.
1) English Sign Language (esl). This is the easier of the two because each word in a sentance has a sign and each sign is in the same order as an english sentance. Most likely in school this is the version that most teachers and interpreters will use and is not a bad way to begin to learn. If you are taking this as a credit for language requirements alone and do not plan to go on to acutally use it in real life situations, this is the version you should sign up for. Its an easy A, at least a B. I rarely heard of anyone getting a C.
2) American Sign Language (asl). This is the more serious version of the two and is more widely accepted version in the Deaf community. This version, however, is much more difficult due to sentance structure and overall dynamic.
There is more emotion involved, and not only the hands are used, but subtle cues such as eyebrows, mouth patterns, and body language will convey what you are trying to say. For example, the sentance “going shopping” as statement you would have normal level eyebrows, but as a question would have raised eyebrows. Oddly enough, this version’s sentance structure is more like a spanish sentance. This version is more visual and dynamic in its use.
If you were to take a class because you actually have a purpose for using sign, this is the version I would recommend, because when you know this version it is easy to go to esl, when necessary, but it is harder to learn esl…then asl. Most importantly is the rule, if you don’t use it you lose it. If you want to learn quicker or stay proficient, immerse yourself in the Deaf community. It is suprisingly large and a very tight knit community. We even have two colleges for the Deaf!
Take note: saying “I am deaf” or “I am Deaf” (capitalized “D”) mean two different things. Take the class and find out why!
Overall, it is fairly easy to learn, but like any language if you dont use it, you lose it.