Are you taking a class? The best way – honestly, practice your finger spelling non-stop. And the deaf people I’ve met *love when hearing people want to learn, so if you’re around anyone deaf, don’t be afraid to ask! (By writing them a note if you haven’t learned anything yet 😉 )
Get a sign language phrasebook at your book store (mine was about $10) & think in terms of being descriptive with your hands. Most of the words & terms are loosely based on visual descriptions. For instance, worry is described by circling both hands in opposite circles above each ear. Easy to remember, if you think about how ruminating & fretting is when you’re thinking & “hearing” in your head all the confusing thoughts going in opposite circles.
Visualize each phrase & word personally so you can memorize it better. Experienced sign language users go very fast & it’s hard to keep up. Fortunately, people are usually very pleased at someone attempting to communicate with them so they’ll slow down for you. It’s really a fascinating language to learn.
Take a class…
Are you taking a class? The best way – honestly, practice your finger spelling non-stop. And the deaf people I’ve met *love when hearing people want to learn, so if you’re around anyone deaf, don’t be afraid to ask! (By writing them a note if you haven’t learned anything yet 😉 )
Get a sign language phrasebook at your book store (mine was about $10) & think in terms of being descriptive with your hands. Most of the words & terms are loosely based on visual descriptions. For instance, worry is described by circling both hands in opposite circles above each ear. Easy to remember, if you think about how ruminating & fretting is when you’re thinking & “hearing” in your head all the confusing thoughts going in opposite circles.
Visualize each phrase & word personally so you can memorize it better. Experienced sign language users go very fast & it’s hard to keep up. Fortunately, people are usually very pleased at someone attempting to communicate with them so they’ll slow down for you. It’s really a fascinating language to learn.