Jehovah’s Witnesses, If you learn Sign Language will you learn more deeper and understanding in the Bible?
First let me explain why I asked. When I read whole luke then after that I watch (American Sign Languages) on DVD (LUKE) and it really does explain better than what you have read in the Bible and it is deeper but deeper than English. It just like deeper in the roots.
If you learn how to Sign Language will that make you understand it better than what they have taught you?
I know I might be weirdo but when I read the Bible it is all good but in (ASL) seem explain deeper than what you think.
So, have you all ever think about learning Sign Language?
I would like to hear from you.
TY!
I know, I want apologizing to you all , (ASL) is my first language, but what I am saying it is really does explaining deeper than you think.
Leslie H = Thanks! I try my best.
Rustic B = What are you talking about????????
I am not here to compare other people or color of skins or females.
All I was talking about Sign Language , can you read?
Rustic B = I am not here to judge people! Are you trying to stir up the trouble?
Rustic B = Thank you.
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I would give my time and efforts to learn Sign Language edoedo….I really have much respect for people who know it.
🙂
idk about taht but i know bros and sisters that have learned sigh and said it was a good experience 🙂
When my baby was born, I taught him some signing. He picked up on it really fast. I have always wanted to learn to help at the conventions, and broaden my territory. I think that whenever you learn a new language, that the new one has meanings and nuances that are different, and help you get different thoughts from the same material. I notice that your grammer and sentence structure is improving. I don’t think you are a weirdo. 🙂
I think that sign has more direct statements, since the language is developing and maturing. With its limited (but expanding) vocabulary, you don’t have time to worry about the “where there for” type of sentence segments.
Plus, it is not just the hands conveying the material. The whole body, face, and position carries the meaning directly.
My wife was part of a sign group we had in our area about 5 years ago and I could see that in what she learned. She would translate the “audio” part of the meetings for the group. It finally grew big enough that they now have a congregation in a near by town.
I miss the energy that sign has. I could never pick it up enough to really know what was going on. As I tell the friends, I am still working in my first language, English.
Just an added note:
What made it even more fun was that the first 2 deaf we had here, one was from Mexico, and she used MSL, which has a totally different vocabulary, so the group had to work out what the signs were what in what language. Plus there were a lot of regional signs, that didn’t apply to another area.
With the Society doing the books and mags in sign, this is helping bring a solid vocabulary acoss the congregations.
This is similar to what the King James Bible did to the English language, it gave a standard usage to spelling and grammar. English before then was a mess, spelling and grammar were personal choices, and you had to know the writer to really be sure what he wrote.
I would love to learn ASL and also Russian and Spanish, Chinese and maybe a few others.
But as I don’t know it already I can’t say it goes deeper. I do have friends who sign or know some and have taught me a little. I love the difference in 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 of ASL over English and the meaning of God breathed for inspired of God, etc.
Debbie
I am learning american sign language and I have a friend that is going to help me more with the sign language. I can’t wait to learn more so that I can watch those dvd’s in ASL. my friend is always talking about how much more he is learning about the bible with the dvd’s and reading the bible
Prior to November 1992, JW leadership would say that higher education was something Jehovah’s Witnesses should not pursue. So at least historically, I would think there would be some opposition to spending a lot of time learning something that could be construed as a “worldly pursuit.” But if you could show that learning sign language had some spiritual value, you might get some takers.
Edit: Good point edoedo. I have deleted the part that was off-topic.
I think the reason you get more out of the Bible in ASL is because it is your first language. I also agree with the other posters about the facial expressions and movements. It seems like that adds more meaning to it and excitement.
Sometimes when people read in English or another spoken language they tend to read monotone. So sometimes it’s hard to get the full benefit of information when it’s not brought out in a way where it comes alive.
It seems like the average person overall benefits most from learning the truth in their native tongue.
I would love to learn sign language one day, but I don’t currently have the time. I’m learning the Amharic language currently.
Well since I already am learning ASL, can I still answer? lol
So, I agree, I’m hearing, grew up around JW’s, my family and friends and been learning about 4 years now and I agree 150%! Its like also if we read different translations some are deeper too or find Hebrew and Greek, Aramaic translations too with original words, I’m looking into getting a comparison bible to understand more as well. Why? Because sometimes English can be vague and uses lots of words, also interesting to see how others translate, as long as they do not have influence from Church teachings that are popular, I mean, if they follow the original words, like how many bibles translate the Greek word stauros and xylon as cross when really those words mean a piece of wood or a stake and that the origins of the cross are pagan or not from Christianity, this info can be found in encyclopaedia’s.
SO, when the bible is being translated in ASL, they take the meaning and concept, not words, therefore giving us more depth automatically, giving us pictures, images in our minds, coming from the hands ofthe signers like poetry.
@Rustic B: what are you talking about? Hmm, thank you for stating that information about JW’s.. Very mild form of…. however you feel about us. However, you do not need formal education by any means to take up learning ASL. In fact, I can tell you from experience Jehovah’s Witnesses who take up foreign languages in order to further our preaching work and to assist groups and congregations in those foreign fields, ASL and many other sign languages included, actually learn a lot more, and, not being obnoxious about this, but they learn it better than going to school to learn. oh yeah, and unlike most churches, interpreters at the KH are not payed, neither are any of us that preach, (receive free, give free). Well I dropped out partly because, after 1 semester, I had learned only a handful of things. Many of the other students had a basic knowledge of sign language, some didn’t, which was very difficult, and some had even attended ASL classes at universities. It was stunning to me to see how much they didn’t know, about the language and culture. Others I’ve met over the past few years and have seen who were taught formally through a college or classes, I’m always surprised. Again, I’m not at all trying to gloat or be big headed in any way, but just saying, the way we learn the language, through exposure and using it with the peoples whose language it is and through use of our publications and studying them, to me, IMHO, far surpasses paying to go sit in a classroom any day. Not saying that some witnesses take advantage of school and classes to learn, but I do know that they get practical experience from being IN and around the Deaf Community, or any other community, where I live we have a Hindi roup, Japanese group, Russian Group, Arabic congregation and group, Spanish congregations, Chinese groups, 2 ASL congregations and I believe about 5 ASL groups, a Korean group, and I’m sure I’m missing some. Most of the witnesses who join these groups that are part of a larger congregation are learning on their own or small classes taught by qualified people who know the language well, even quite a few sponsored from NY, where the US headquarters are, and qualified men go learn how to teach a language there for a course. Then they come back and hold classes for those that are interested in learning the language with the goal of joining the group so they can bring the good news from the bible to those of that language. Of course everyone learns at different paces, but I feel this way of learning, jumping in so to speak is really the best for anyone.
How is this possible? Because for example, ASL, we have may DVD’s that are in full sign language, also 32 different sign languages around the world. Also we have 2 meetings a week, about 2 hours each that are in full ASL, not interpreted. Of course when there’s a group of Deaf and not enough help for a congregation, the meetings will be interpreted into ASL while the hearing meeting is going on-where these witnesses in addition to getting trained in sign language, also get experience and training as interpreters and can get excellent well paying jobs and can get certifications to become professional sign language interpreters outside of the Kingdom Hall
So where was I? OH yeah, so, myself I had been learning from the sign language congregation where I went to and from Deaf peple, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind, and hearing people who knew ASL for about…6-8 months and I could understand easily 90, 95% of Deaf people and the DVD’s and meetings and all that. Decided to attend a 1 year course designed like an ITP
It is not an issue of going to University/College or taking classes, its the fact of immersing yourself in the language and culture. Just wanted to explain to Rustic B, Because think there’s a misunderstanding there..sorry if its too long and somewhat off topic…