Why Learn To Sign With Your Baby?

Many people promote learning to sign with your baby as an intermediate step before the baby learns to communicate verbally. They claim that while babies are in this in-between stage, they often want to communicate but have no means to do so, which can cause undue frustration. This, in turn, can lead to tantrums or other behavioral problems. If they learn to sign, on the other hand, they can much more easily communicate their needs, and both parents and babies will be a lot less disturbed.

Remember that before they are too many months old, babies often begin using their own gestures to indicate desires. And these gestures are, in effect, already sign languages, albeit primitive ones. Just think of when the baby reaches their arms up to you, and you recognize that as a sign that they want to be picked up. That is already one sign they know. You can sign with your baby and teach them many more gestures they can use to indicate other desires. The fact that a baby can wave “bye bye” or ask to be picked up demonstrates that using signs for communication purposes is something they can already do.

The actual research into the benefits of teaching baby sign language is just beginning, but so far it appears to be promising. A few American research teams, led by L.P. Acredolo and S.W. Goodwyn, have produced some very interesting results. These seem to suggest that learning sign language helps babies increase their mental development, reduce problem behaviors, eventually acquire larger vocabularies, and improve relationships between parents and babies. Thus far, it seems that learning a baby sign language is very likely to improve life for the child even after he or she grows older and begins speaking.

This isn’t to say that if you sign with your baby, your child will automatically grow up to be some kind of genius. While baby signing will certainly not produce any detrimental effects in their life, it might have long-lasting positive results as they grow up. However, the immediate benefits are what you’re looking for right now, which is to improve your baby’s ability to communicate, and your ability to understand him or her. What’s important is that both you and baby will be happier right now.

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What is Baby Sign Language?

There’s good news for parents and babies and its welcome news indeed. It’s called baby sign language. The lack of a means for communication between a parent and a baby has always been frustrating for both parties. A parent hears their child crying and is helpless to understand what the baby wants. They do the standard checks, like feeling the diaper for wetness or putting their hand on the baby’s head to check for fever. If neither of those turn out to be the problem, the child continues to cry and the parent tries to comfort the baby, not knowing what else to do. With baby sign language, the lines of communication become open and helps put an end to this frustration. What is Baby Sign Language? Baby sign language is a new form of communication, combining hand gestures with word association. By using these gestures, for more detail visit to www.baby-care-book.com parents are able to teach their children how to communicate what they want, before the child is able to speak. The learning abilities of children are limited to their senses such as sight, sound and touch. Because the learning method combines all of these senses, it is easy for the parent to teach and the child to learn.

How do you Teach Baby Sign Language? Teaching your child this communication skill is done by a method called modeling. Linking simple words with gestures does this. Your child might be too young to actually be able to make the gestures, but you can still begin to teach them the meaning of them. This way, when they are older and have better command of their bodies, they will already know the gestures to use to communicate with you. For example, whenever you are about to feed your child, for more detail visit to www.create-super-baby.com before you do, say “eat” and make an easy hand gesture like pointing to your mouth. Make sure your baby can clearly see the gestures, so they can remember them. Another good word to teach is “more”. When you are rocking your child or doing something else that you know gives your baby pleasure, stop periodically and say “more”, before beginning again. Also begin associating these words and signs with objects. Before handing them an item like a ball, say “ball”. Start slowly and add on words gradually. This gives the baby time to learn and remember what you are teaching them. It’s important not to try to force them to learn these gestures. Let them pick it up at their own pace. Teaching your baby sign language is rewarding and by the time they are actually able to speak, they will already know the right words to use to let you know exactly what they need.

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VRS vs VRI

For members of the deaf community familiar with American Sign Language (ASL), Video Relay Services (VRS) and Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) both provide valuable tools for communicating with the hearing world.

VRS is a form of Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) which:

1. allows those with hearing disabilities access to the telephone system

2. allows the deaf to use American Sign Language instead of a text telephone (TTY) to call a hearing party over normal telephone lines

3. permits the use of a high speed Internet connection plus a web cam or video conferencing equipment to access a Communications Assistant (CA) in a call center

4. relies on the CA to relay information to and from a hearing person on their telephone

5. also permits a hearing person to initiate a call to the deaf individual

The FCC covers the costs of all VRS calls through the Interstate TRS Fund.  Calls are free to both parties and are “relayed” by the CA, who is a skilled, qualified ASL interpreter.

The Federal Communications Commission mandates that VRS is only to be used in a situation where the person with a hearing disability would normally make a customary voice call through the telephone system were it not for the disability.  VRS may not be used as a substitute for a live interpreter.

VRI serves a different need.  With VRI, both the deaf and hearing individuals are situated in the same place, such as a hospital, school, college classroom, courtroom, police station, prison, or any other location where a live ASL interpreter is unavailable.

Fees for VRI are paid for by the party requesting them.  Depending on the need, a sign language interpreter may be required as a reasonable accommodation required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), especially in hospital and courthouse settings.

VRI is only limited by bandwidth.  Services are available 24/7.  VRI is now the first choice for medical clinics where the need for an ASL interpreter cannot always be predicted in advance.

Traditional live sign language interpreters usually:

* require booking in advance (24 hours)

* demand a 2 hour minimum, regardless of the length of interpreting time

* charge the minimum fee if the assignment is not canceled 24 hours in advance

* charge if the client is a no-show, such as a deaf student skipping a class

VRI is an ideal solution to:

1. substitute for in-person interpreters when not available

2. cut the cost to hospitals and schools who are required to provide sign language interpreters but who are not reimbursed by the government

3. provide interpreting in hazardous situations such as prisons and medical facilities

4. available 24/7 when needed

5. no fees for last minute booking or cancellations

6. get rid of “in-person” interpreter charges for travel and parking

Improper use of VRS to substitute illegally for VRI is an ongoing concern of the FCC.  While VRS providers have systems in place to identify abusive calls, no system is infallible.

Charles Lamm is a retired attorney serving as Legal/Technical Consultant for Accessible Communication for the Deaf. For more information on VRI, visit our Video Remote Interpreting blog.

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Can children learn to use Morse code before the can talk, like sign language?

Children can learn sign language before they can talk. Can they also code early? It would not have to be straight key. Iambic paddles or speaking the code would be great to. Maybe just understanding Morse code would be good.
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An introduction to finger spelling

Finger spelling has been introduced as a structural component that is different than the visually transmitted sign patterns typically used in sign languages. In this context, finger spelling serves as a means to bridge the gap between the sign language and the spoken language. Used in the several forms of sign languages, finger spelling portrays words from a spoken language that do not have a sign equivalent and therefore they cannot be emphasized or clarified with the typical facial expressions, and body postures of sign language.

Representing the letters of a writing or a numerical system with the single use of hands, finger spelling is, in effect, a manual alphabet that has been broadly used in the education of deaf and hearing impaired individuals. In the process, finger spelling has become a distinct component of sign languages around the globe.

The most commonly used form of manual alphabet is the one representing the Latin alphabet that uses one-handed signals. Originally recognized in the 18th century by Abbé de L’Epée in Paris, France as appropriate to be used for the education of deaf communities, this manual alphabet became, after quite a few variations and adaptations for local written forms, the American manual alphabet. Other forms of manual alphabets are using two-handed signals, such as those used in the deaf communities of Turkey and the former Yugoslavia. In two-handed manual alphabets, there is a dominant hand, either left or right, on top of the subordinate hand.

Finger spelling is a building block that encompasses hand and finger movements to form words. Using a series of hand signs for letters that is similar to the written form of the respective letter, finger spelling is never used by itself, but always as a part of a sign language. In particular, the American Sign Language (ASL) uses 26 one-handed signals corresponding to each letter of the alphabet. ASL has borrowed finger spelling structures from English language and has incorporated English words into ASL signs for better and more precise presentation of the word. Finger spelling uses also initialized signs where with the substitution of the first letter the meaning of the word changes. For instance, using two hands to make a circle means ‘a group of individuals’. When substituting the initial letter with F, it means ‘family’. In ASL, finger spelling is also used for emphasis and for instruction.

In its most common form, finger spelling encompasses a complex system of movements that use controlled parameters, especially for rate and velocity. In its more advanced form, finger spelling demonstrates correct palm orientation and positioning, correct rhythm, clarity and phonetic lip synchronization. The most important consideration when finger spelling is that, the hand is held at shoulder height and does not bounce at each letter. This allows the handshapes to be clear and concise. Besides, it is better to concentrate on clear than on fast finger spelling because poorly formed handshapes may be puzzling even for native signers.

Finger spelling has introduced a class of borrowed signs that frequently represent an English word, which has over time developed an exclusive movement and shape. Borrowed sings, also known as loan sings, are so specialized that are often not recognized as finger spelling signs. Being used mostly for emphasizing, borrowed signs are glossed in capital letters preceded by the sign #.

Finger spelling can also be used to express a continuing action. For instance, to describe the word ‘working’, instructors and finger spelling teachers use the sign of ‘work’ twice in a row. This expresses an ongoing action. Besides, finger spelling may also express verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Generally, a verb would be signed with larger gestures, while a noun would be signed with smaller, doubled gestures. Although this may seem straightforward, there are cases that people get confused when using finger spelling, finding it challenging and hard to learn.

It is extremely important to be aware of the differences that apply in diverse signing communities in terms of speed and clarity of finger spelling. For instance, typical finger spelling in British Sing Language (BSL) is so swift that the different letters cannot be distinguished from one another and the meaning of the word is grasped from the whole meaning of the hand movement. In contrast, in Italian Sign Language (LIS – Lingua Italiana dei Segni), finger spelling is relatively slow and words are clearly produced.

Another important consideration when learning finger spelling is to be able to look directly at the hands of the signer instead of maintaining an eye contact and a peripheral vision as it normally happens with the sign language. However, many people find this extremely challenging and often ask the signer to sign slowly.

To master finger spelling and to become skilled and experienced requires years of methodical and expressive practice. People that take finger spelling classes may generally understand singing, but it takes a long time to link the letters together and figure out the words accurately. In effect, finger spelling is like learning a foreign language and, as such it requires commitment, enthusiasm and practice.

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Being a strong advocate of simplicity in life, I love my family, my partner and all the people that have stood by me with or without knowing. And I hope that someday, human nature will cease to be greedy and demanding realizing that the more we have the more we want and the more we satisfy our needs the more needs we create. And this is so needless after all.

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Language School Abroad : It’s Time To Learn Foreign Language

There are a number of reasons to study at the language school abroad and one of the most important advantage is that you remain exposed to the foreign language almost 24 hours a day! Just think about the time when you go out to eat you have to order your food in the local foreign language. Even you have to comprehend the road signs also , which are likely to be in the foreign language. This is certainly a great help as you determine to study language because here you are almost forced to read it, write it and speak it almost daily.

As a concept, this study language abroad has stressed on the importance of hands-on experience rather than to gain experience in theoretical knowledge. Furthermore, The cosmopolitan culture as you learn language abroad helps in your overall development. If you are interested in learning a new language, the best way is to immerse in it completely and it is only by studying at a language school abroad, you can achieve this.

As a matter of fact to learn a language you need to live in a country where the local denizen speak the language which you are trying to learn. Thus within just few weeks’ time in a language course abroad you will be able to bind sentences together in the new language. Many spend years studying a language in college yet are still unable to speak fluently.

Our language courses are very flexible, and you are welcome to combine any of the various course types and accommodations.

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Translation Services: Removing the Language Barrier from Your Business

With so many developed and developing economies joining the global economic chorus, an increasing number of business setups are becoming multinationals. When a business expands into an alien territory it is inevitable that it has to face with many localization issues. One of these issues is language barrier. It is possible that your clients and customers speak and write a language different from yours. Bridging this gap are several companies offering translation services. Such a services provider employs many language experts who have proficiency in multiple languages apart from English.
A translator can offer in service in translating product labels and descriptions, annual business reports, transcripts, contracts, process documents and forms, newspaper and magazine write-ups, legal and medical documents, technical and software manuals, and much more. He can also translate voiceovers and subtitles in written form. As such the assistance of a professional translation service provider is inevitable in a globalized business environment.

These service providers also offer in-person interpretation services. Such services are simultaneous and hence require speed, skill, and quick thinking. The professionals offering such services have been well trained and certified. They not only have a good understanding of the languages but also have a fair knowledge of the cultures of these alien nations. There is a huge population Hispanic population in the US and many service providers offer Spanish translation service . Interpretation is not done on a word for word basis but on a meaning for meaning basis. In-person interpretation can be come in handy during meetings with your foreign clients, conferences, and meetings.

Another service offered by professional translators is telephonic translation. You can hire their services for translating your customers’ queries over the phone to you. Translation is not just one way but is a two-way traffic. It can be from English to Spanish or vice versa. Some service provider also offer advanced and niche services such as American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for the benefit of people with hearing impairment. Such interpretation requires extensive experience and can only be handled by experts. Some companies also offer certification courses in language and cultural training.

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how many years of college do i need to become a american sign language interpeter?

okay right now i am a sophmore and i am in asl one, and i want to become an american sign language(asl) interpeter. how many years of college do i need? and would i work for a business or can i work alone or how would that work out?
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