Saturday, 31 January 2009

The Truth About Learning American Sign Language

There are a lot of stereotypes in our world, which is unfortunate. One of those stereotypes has been perpetrated by American TV and movies. I’m talking about the deaf and how they are portrayed. Now I understand that for entertainment purposes, everything has to be made “dramatic” or it’s dull to watch. Let’s face it, nobody wants to watch a movie about your day at work. At least I don’t think so.

So it’s no wonder that all TV shows and movies where the plots are centered around deaf people, whether it be for dramatic or even comedic purposes, have to focus on the thing that makes it “watch worthy.” In the case of plots revolving around deafness, the plot device is more often than not, American sign language.

The problem is, most shows don’t really go beyond the basic signs. The days of Helen Keller and the great movies made about her are long gone. Oh sure, there are some exceptions, but they are few and far between. And even with that, much of what you see is dramatized.

The truth about learning sign language is this. It’s not dramatic. It’s a part of the deaf person’s life. And learning it is very methodical, and quite honestly, not something that’s exciting to watch. It’s a means of communication and not a plot device.

Having said that, there is an incredible satisfaction that one can derive from learning American sign language. Being able to communicate with somebody who you wouldn’t normally be able to communicate with is one of the greatest feelings, and THAT doesn’t have to be dramatized. THAT feeling is quite real and quite satisfying.

In my signature, you will find a very real and very “non dramatic” review of a great resource that will teach you American sign language. The feeling you will get, once you learn this wonderful method of communication, is one that is hard to describe. You simply need to experience it.

And you can do that…starting today.


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Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Can I Really Learn Sign Language?

Can you really learn sign language? Well, the short answer is, of course you can. Anybody can. Think about this. You speak English. Maybe you speak other languages as well. There are people in this world who have command of three or four different languages. They weren’t born knowing them. They had to learn each one from scratch…taking baby steps along the way. Well, sign language is no different.

American sign language is probably the most common form of sign language around. It is, as I like to call it, the industry standard. If you’ve ever gone out to eat at a pizza parlor or some other fast food establishment, you’ve probably seen people handing out these cards with the American sign language symbols on them. Just studying the cards alone, along with a little memorization, can easily store the individual symbols in your cranium.

Some of the letters are very intuitive, with the symbol for the letter looking exactly like the letter itself. For example, the letter L is made by extending the index finger of the right hand straight up with the thumb pointing to your left. To you, it looks like a backwards L, but to the person you’re signing, it looks exactly like the letter L. The same thing with the letter V, which is actually made by giving the “Victory” sign that is used for any battle or war.

However, some of the letters are not so intuitive. For example, the letter B is made by extending all four fingers straight up in the air with the thumb brought into the palm. I’m not sure how this looks anything like the letter B, but it’s the symbol that is used. Same thing with quite a few of the other letters…you just have to learn them.

But taking the time to learn American sign language is a great thing. You’ll be communicating with a world that you would normally not be a part of. In my signature, you’ll find a review of a great resource for learning this wonderful language. I think you’ll find it most helpful.

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Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Rocket Sign Language - Review

I assume you’re reading this because you’re interested in learning American Sign Language and you’re looking for a reputable online source to do just that. This review is of Rocket Sign Language. I am sure that you will find it most helpful.

The company that has put Rocket Sign Language together have done similar products for many traditional languages including Spanish, French and German. Quite honestly, there is nobody on the Internet who puts together a language product like theirs. Having said that, sign language is a little different so I wasn’t sure if they could handle it. I was unjustly concerned.

First, you get a mega spelling software game. This game goes over finger signing at your own pace and it’s very well put together. It goes over many specialized words not covered by a sign.

It also comes with their mega sign word building game for putting together those complex signs. The game makes it fun to learn and thus makes the learning part go a lot faster.

Then there is their software dictionary for easy reference to over 1200 of the most common signs. You have never seen anything this complete anywhere.

Then of course there is their learning guide that goes over spelling, grammar, punctuation and everything else to do with putting together meaningful signs. There are 10 chapters in this guide and they are quite comprehensive.

Finally, there is a members only forum where you can get any of your questions answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll never see customer service like this.

The guys at Rocket have the market cornered on learning any kind of language…even sign language. At the very least, go to their site and check out what they have to offer.

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Monday, 19 January 2009

Sign Language And The World Of The Deaf

It’s so easy to take things for granted. Those of us with all our senses. The sight of a beautiful sunrise, or the sound of the birds chirping on the morning. There are those who will never know what these things are like. Some of us do not really know how blessed we are. The world of the deaf can be such a quiet one in so many ways. It’s more than just not hearing sounds. It’s never being able to hear a loved one say, “I love you.” This affects the heart more than it affects the ears.

Sign language is by no means a substitute for hearing, but it is a start…a way to communicate with others. Sometimes I wonder what the bigger problem is with being deaf, that you can’t hear or that there are so few people who take the time to learn sign language. It’s not very hard to learn and quite honestly, it can make the difference between somebody feeling excluded from this world and being a part of it.

If you take the time to watch two people sign, you will notice a connection between them that you don’t normally find between individuals. When we speak casually with each other, sometimes we don’t even make eye contact, instead focusing our attention on what’s on the TV or on our computer screens when we’re surfing the Internet. But when people speak to each other through sign language, they really do connect.

American sign language is probably the most popular and widely used. It isn’t hard to learn. Yes, it does take a little bit of time, but anything worth while is going to take time. Besides, the satisfaction that you will feel once you have mastered the language, well, it’s like nothing else you’re ever going to experience. It’s a kind of good feeling inside that you’re part of somebody’s world that you might not normally ever get to enter. The bond you will share is quite special.

In my signature, you will find a review of a great course that will teach you American sign language. It has been designed by masters of language arts and I think you will find it quite comprehensive and very easy to learn.

Make yourself a part of their world and make a difference.

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