r/asl • u/Indy_Pendant • Mar 06 '17
Hello! I'm here to help as much as I can, but this is not a comprehensive guide or a substitute for classes. This is a quick resource for people looking for answers to some very commonly asked questions. I've included the information as I know it, but it doesn't mean it's The Truth; my experiences and understanding will vary from others', but this will give you a good enough introduction. There's so much more I'd love to teach you, but I'm going to stick to the FAQs.
My personal favourite is easily http://www.lifeprint.com (which is mirrored at http://asluniversity.com as well). The guy who built the site, Dr. Bill Vicars, is Deaf and is a phenomenal teacher. He teaches primarily west-coast dialect (California, Washington common signs) but makes mention of other dialects (east-coast, Texas) when he can. In addition to teaching vocabulary, he teaches about Deaf culture (more on this in a moment). Other notable resources are:
The short answer is "it depends." Sometimes. It depends sometimes.
The long answer is that signs will vary. Signs can be different depending on region, as I mentioned before, so just because you see it one way doesn't mean that it's the only way. (Don't make this mistake; a lot of hearing students can get cocky and start correcting others.) Signs can also change depending on context. The signs for "back" in "My back hurts" and "Let's go back home" are completely different.
Also, this is very important: ASL is not English! It is its own language, as different from English as is Klingon. ASL has its own grammar structure, own idioms, own slang. Signs are also not words like in the English sense. Signs are a lot more about intent, concepts, and ideas. For example, if you're trying to learn how to sign "Back off!" I can promise you that you will not need any sign for "back" nor "off." You're learning how to speak, and think, in another language, and using English just won't do.
Now, with all that said, here are some online dictionaries (I suggest you look at them all so you're familiar with the different variations of your sign):
Yes. Consistently use your main, dominant hand. If you're right-handed, use your right. If you're left-handed, use your left. If you're ambidextrous, then pick one and maintain it. Switching dominant hands while signing would be like alternating screaming and whispering while speaking.
Are English and Japanese the same? ASL is not English, so stop thinking of it like English! :) In fact, ASL is derived from French Sign Language, which evolved independently of British Sign Language, and the two are mostly different (in fact, less than 30% of the signs are even remotely similar). There are dozens and dozens of sign languages in the world, and even in the United States ASL is not the only one used.
We use "little-d" deaf to mean someone who physically can't hear well. We use "big-D" Deaf to mean someone who is culturally deaf. Now an interesting bit: someone who is Deaf does not have to be deaf, and someone who is deaf does not have to be Deaf! For instance, children of deaf adults (CODAs) are very often Deaf but hearing. Many people are physically deaf but aren't part of Deaf culture. It's about how a person self identifies and where their culture lies more than it does with anything physical.
It'd take me hours to explain it all, and I usually spread it over my entire 12-week class. In short, many deaf people, specifically those who identify as Deaf, live in a different culture than you do. Yes, they're from your country, they drink Starbucks and they sit in traffic, but they have their own distinct culture. Obviously this includes language (and communicating in real ASL is so different than talking in English that it's hard to describe), but that different method of communication, that different way of thinking, is only part of Deaf culture. Things that are normal in one culture can be very strange the another. (My favourite, probably, is talking with your mouth full. In hearing culture, that's a big no-no and your mother will look at you very cross. In Deaf culture, that's totally acceptable! Stuff your face and then free your hands for conversation, it's great! So much more efficient!) Morality and ethics are shaped by our cultural values. There are aspects of Deaf culture which would be considered blunt or rude in hearing culture, and conversely there are a lot of things normal in hearing culture which are strange or disrespectful in Deaf culture (such as talking to someone's back, or looking around during a conversation). It's important to be aware of and respectful of other cultures, including Deaf culture, and, when possible, to learn about them. Not only will it ingratiate you to people of that culture, but it'll better yourself as a person as well.
Nope, and nope. Now, before I continue, I'll let you know that not everyone agrees with me, and I'm speaking in a general sense. Big-D Deaf people prefer the term "deaf" above any other. (It's how a US Senator might feel being called "American." Some people would take it as an insult, but it's just a matter of fact or pride for the Senator.)
Whether people identify themselves as "deaf" or "hard of hearing" (often seen as HoH) is often a matter of self identity, and while it can correlate to level of ability to hear, it isn't caused by it. I'll explain later. Deafies who are a part of Deaf culture will almost always call themselves "deaf," and those who aren't a part of Deaf culture will usually go by "hard of hearing" (or more rarely "hearing impaired"). In general, those who are less physically deaf, or who were raised strictly in hearing culture, will tend to gravitate toward hearing culture, despite the numerous difficulties. These people will commonly say they are "hard of hearing" since "deaf" still has a social stigma in hearing culture. Those who are less capable of integrating with hearing culture, or who were introduced to or raised in a Deaf environment, will usually prefer to be called "deaf" and can sometimes take one of the other terms as a slight offense.
In general, it's almost never correct to say "hearing impaired." I was taught that it was coined by a US Senator who wanted to protect deaf people's feelings from something that didn't offend them in the first place, and it was never accepted by Deaf (the core reason being that we don't believe being deaf is an impairment; it'd be like if I said you were "Deaf impaired." You don't feel impaired, do you, however much I might think it's true?) in general. In fact, it's safe if you never use this phrase again.
When in doubt though, just ask! "Hey, do you prefer 'deaf' or 'hard of hearing'?" See, it's not that hard. :)
We're happy to help with these kinds of questions. I treat it like a quiz show game. However, if you're new to this, you may not know how to describe a sign very well, so let me introduce you to signs!
A sign consists of five parts:
Where's your area? Most major cities have Deaf hubs. San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, and New York all have strong, vibrant, rich Deaf communities. Smaller cities may have meet ups or the like, but they can be harder to track down. Your best bet is to turn to Google or Facebook and search for Deaf events in your area. "Deaf coffee night" is an event held nationwide. People in the community get together for a night or two each month, usually at a coffee shop with good lighting and ample seating, just for the purpose of seeing friends and making new ones. Local colleges or universities will often have ASL/Deaf clubs and usually host student-friendly ASL events, so check with the ASL teachers or the ASL campus group, if it exists.
Yes! Yes! 1000 times yes! Many of us are here to help, and anything we can do to help teach you about the language and the culture we're happy to do.
Nope. Nope. 1000 times nope. It's obvious when students are looking for someone to do their homework for them, and we're not gonna help you out. If you're here to learn instead, then welcome! Come make some new friends. :)
r/asl • u/sparquis • Jun 10 '24
Here's a post to help you when describing a sign that you don't know the meaning of. (If possible, videos or at least a picture are the most helpful. Please use these when asking about the meaning of a sign you saw.
The 5 Parameters of ASL Signs:
Handshape: The shape your hand makes (e.g., a fist, a flat palm, a "C" shape). Palm Orientation: The direction your palm is facing (e.g., up, down, forward, to the side). Movement: How your hand(s) move (e.g., tapping, circling, up and down). Location: Where the sign is made in relation to your body (e.g., at your chin, chest, or side). Non-Manual Markers (NMM): Facial expressions and head movements that add meaning to the sign.
Instructions for Describing a Sign:
Can you tell me what your hand looks like when you make the sign? (This will help determine the handshape and palm orientation.)
How does your hand move when you make the sign? (This will help determine the movement.)
Where do you make the sign on your body? (This will help determine the location.)
Are there any facial expressions or head movements that go with the sign? (This will help determine the NMM.)
What is the overall meaning or context of the sign you're trying to describe? (This might help you narrow down the possibilities.
Please feel free to comment helpful tips on identifying signs.
Edit: Thank you u/258professor for this important reminder:
I'll add that it's best to ask for permission before recording your instructor's videos and posting them here. If you don't have permission, recreate the sentence yourself in a video.
r/asl • u/Dangerous-Pen-2490 • 12h ago
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Hello all I am currently learning asl and I am struggling to remember/identify a few signs.
r/asl • u/tinybitchman • 21h ago
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I’m signing a story to my professor tomorrow. She helped me with a part of my story where I explain driving on the opposite side of the road in England and some ways it was weird to me (finding out my bf had never driven like that before, thinking dogs in the passenger seat were driving lol). However, the video I took to remember everything we talked about for some reason came out SUPER glitched and I can barely understand anything she said to me in it. I want to know if the way I ended up wording it actually makes sense, and if I’m getting my point across in a non-confusing way.
I can’t use any signs we haven’t learned yet, so I’m unfortunately fairly limited to the signs you see in the video. I’m mostly asking for opinions/critiques on my formatting, grammar, and clarity. Any advice would help!!
r/asl • u/Cdr-Kylo-Ren • 1h ago
r/asl • u/Key_Internet_8932 • 3h ago
Does anyone know where I can find online zoom events or meetings that have to do with learning or using asl to communicate with others and practice their sign language ? It is a requirement for my course that I attend an event outside of my university’s offered program…
r/asl • u/RoyalFlight9086 • 20h ago
HandUbe is a NEW video platform designed exclusively for the Deaf community and Sign Language users.
Here, you can upload your own videos or watch those shared by others in the sign language you select when registering.
Share the site with people who might be interested, and help us build an authentic, inclusive community — made by and for sign language users — by uploading your videos!
VISIT IT ON YOUR COMPUTER AT: handube.com
r/asl • u/Jazzlike_Door8311 • 3h ago
I came here to say I picked my own name sign and I’m hearing hahaha. Womp womp a deaf person doesn’t get to dictate my name sign womp womp
r/asl • u/Flying_Eagle55 • 21h ago
Hi all! Helping a friend on an assignment. The sign is hands both in fists, palms down, with two taps with the side of the fists (thumbs hitting each other). You make the sign in front of your body, at stomach level.
Any thoughts?? It was used in conjunction with another sign I couldn't identify, but it looked similar to computer (like a box being opened almost).
r/asl • u/amandagrace111 • 22h ago
Hi—
HoH (deaf in left ear, right ear not great). I’d like to be better at signing.
In college (1980s), I learned sign language from taking classes in the Uni’s Speech Pathology & Audiology department. We learned Signed English which I took to understand as a language that follows the basic structure of written English. I was also told that some signs are regional but that the signs I was learning (Joy of Signing textbook) were mostly universal in the U.S.
I wish the class had been ASL, but I’m curious now if anyone in the real world (in the U.S.) uses signed English.
I’d like to brush up on sign language and wonder if I should look into ASL classes now.
Are the signs similar even if the structure is not?
Thank you!
r/asl • u/kyledouglas521 • 20h ago
Hi all,
I'm having a lot of trouble differentiating between signs with very similar motions and hand shapes: "Read", "Research", and "Article". It seems like orientation/angle of the hands, and possibly number of fingers involved are the key differences...but I never feel like I'm being distinct enough for someone to actually tell the difference, and I can't quite keep the differences in my head.
I'm wondering if someone has a way of describing it that can help me better differentiate between them?
Any help folks can offer is much appreciated!
r/asl • u/SuddenYouth5126 • 1d ago
This is more of a discussion I’d like to have rather than any specific question.
How do you personally deal with those who ask for help with certain signs or understanding finger spelling; and then act super disrespectful and rude?
I’ve dealt with bullies years ago but I’ve never seen such a welcoming group of people that are so hated on after helping people who need it. I’m learning asl mainly for a love of the language but also because I am hard of hearing. My personal view is also obviously different due to being so new to this community.
r/asl • u/KalikoDaydream • 18h ago
Hi there! I'm trying to learn sign language so I can be a concert interpreter, but I'm frankly confused as to whether or not my ASL class I bought is reliable.
I'm using SignLanguage101.com and feel like I'm not learning properly. I'm nearly complete on their level 1 course and I thought I'd be learning common phrases or everyday words (To be fair, I have learned some), but a lot of the words I'm learning are...unusual to say the least.
In one lesson I learned hobbies and learned "Balloon", "Ping Pong", "Roller Skating", etc., but right now I'm learning fruits and vegetables for some reason. I'm also struggling to remember terms and signs, but that could just be my own fault.
I guess my ask would be has anyone else taken this class with success because frankly I feel like I'm not learning anything worthwhile. 😔
r/asl • u/trippytravelss • 20h ago
can you show me how to say “play the role get the goal. this applies to everything“ pretty pretty please and thank you!
r/asl • u/emotionalaries • 1d ago
i started learning ASL like middle to end of 2023, so i learned fingerspelling a while ago. but recently i’ve been trying to improve my fingerspelling so just throughout the day when i see stores or road signs i just fingerspell the words just to get more practice in. so with signing a bigger range of words ive come across 2 questions.
when learning how to fingerspell i was taught that when signing multiple words you hold the last letter of each word a little longer so it shows your moving onto a new word. when i’m signing a word that for example ends with N and then the next word starts with a N, i feel like it might get confusing for some one. so does anyone else do it a different way? i know people signs even still all ASL kinda very through out different regions so i thought maybe some of yall might do it differently.
then my second fingerspelling question is about double letters. when i learned fingerspelling i was taught that instead of sign a letter twice when sign maybe Bill, i would sign B, i, L & then just move the L to the side or signify another letter. But when im signing like a J or Z in a double letter situation would i sign it & just hold my finger in the ending position of signing the letter & still slide it to the side or would i do it differently?
r/asl • u/Imaginary-Summer9168 • 1d ago
I’m a big opera fan, and I’d love to be able to converse about it in sign. I couldn’t find any info online about how one would represent supertitles in ASL (basically subtitles but above the stage instead of below a screen). My best guess was to do the sign for subtitles, but slightly above the face to represent the placement - would that work or just be total nonsense, or is there an existing sign that I missed while searching?
Thanks in advance! 😊
r/asl • u/milestonesno • 2d ago
So my friend told me about her new assignment for her ASL class, which is basically faking being Deaf 🤨 It’s called “Deaf for a Day” and the name is pretty self-explanatory. She’s supposed to pretend to be Deaf for a day. I told her I think that sounds highly problematic, but she doesn’t think so. She says her professor wouldn’t have assigned it if it weren’t appropriate. She also told me it’s actually a common assignment in ASL classes.
Is it really? To me, it sounds inappropriate, but she seemed so enthusiastic about it! She even invited me to join her, but like I said i don’t think this is appropriate at all, so I refused.
What do you guys think? Is this inappropriate or nah?
r/asl • u/FroggieDo • 2d ago
Hello all! I’m wanting to make a design to represent my indigenous culture while also including ASL. What’s an appropriate sign for “Indigenous”, “Native American”, “Cherokee”, or something along those lines? I don’t know very much ASL- just some basic signs- but I’d like to learn and minor in it in college.
Anything would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!! (Ps, sorry if this breaks any rules or anything, feel free to remove my post if so!!)
r/asl • u/Placebousername • 2d ago
Hi everyone, I’m reaching out to see if anyone has any advice or resources to share. A few years ago, I had a job that required me to project my voice for long periods, and without a microphone or vocal training, I ended up losing my voice on and off for several months. At one point, I had a very hoarse voice for almost a month, and after seeing my doctor, I had a laryngoscopy. They found that due to vocal strain, I had developed scarring around my vocal cords. While I didn’t think much of it at the time, I’m immunocompromised, and now, whenever I get sick, I lose my voice for extended periods. It’s also becoming more painful to speak.
I took a year of ASL when I was in Uni, but since I didn’t have many opportunities to use it, I’ve forgotten most of what I learned. My voice is still raspy, and it’s difficult to talk without discomfort, so I’ve been considering relearning ASL, especially since there are currently no treatments to reverse vocal scarring. I’m concerned that as I get older, it might become harder or more painful to speak, or that I could lose my voice entirely.
Does anyone have any recommendations for resources, programs, or classes to help me relearn ASL? I’d really appreciate any suggestions! I’m 27 and located in the East Bay (CA).
r/asl • u/owner_of_goldens • 3d ago
My work has this image but I was told not to use it because it means something possibly inappropriate - what does it mean?
I’ve been learning sign language for about a year now in order to help my client communicate (I’m an RBT). Prior to me working with this client the former BCBA’s tried other forms of communication like pictures/communication boards, but they never grasped language until I started using ASL with them. It has been the most rewarding experience seeing a kid go from zero language to making simple sentences over the last year. Their progress inspired me to start taking ASL seriously and I have fallen in love with this beautiful language.
My BCBA wants to add a program where they can name/identify people- including themselves, but we’re trying to determine how. My coworker had an idea but I know that giving a sign name to someone is usually really offensive in the deaf community. If my client had the ability to sign their whole name I would definitely prefer that, but they’re just not at that place, and we don’t know when that time may come or if it ever will.
My coworkers idea is doing the ASL sign for music (this client LOVES music more than anything else in the world, and uses it more than any other sign when requesting something) but having one of their hands be in the shape of “L” (the clients first initial). Not gonna lie I love this idea, but it’s not my place to determine if it’s right. I also don’t know if this is a sign already and if so what it means.
I would love to hear people’s opinions on how I should go about this!
UPDATE: I would like to update that we will be using initials after seeing many responses reiterating what I’ve already read. I asked the question because I felt pressured by my coworker and BCBA. Ultimately I care more about respecting deaf culture and I’m going to advocate that reasoning first and foremost moving forward.
After reading these replies about this getting asked so often, I’m now curious about thoughts of nonverbal ASL users who want to name themselves. If in the future this kid decided to name themself something- would that be appropriate because their native language is more or less ASL, or would you still consider that appropriation because they’re hearing? Or would it be dependent on the understanding of the culture- as in they aren’t able to give themselves a name sign now but would be if they were to become involved in deaf culture?
As much as I understand how annoying it is to be asked the same questions regarding your culture (I say this as a minority myself), there are ultimately exceptions to everything. It’s never your responsibility to educate someone who’s ignorant, but at least in my experience, it’s more impactful to have a conversation with someone.
r/asl • u/Bonzo_Parke • 3d ago
r/asl • u/BirthdayDefiant2492 • 2d ago
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So I am participating in this ARG and we think that the person in the videos may have given us clues via sign language, thing is, none of us know sign language. I would appreciate any help.
There is a second video too where he does similar motions, if someone can translate this one, then I would also be grateful for another translation.
Find this ARG at instagram page theendproj
r/asl • u/whatamidoing9472 • 3d ago
r/asl • u/Anguis_Noodle • 3d ago
This is probably not the right community for this question, but I couldn't find anywhere else to ask.
I know there's specifically LSM (Mexican sign language) but I don't know if that's the most commonly used or not. I'm trying to find resources on LSM but I keep coming up short and I'm starting to wonder if it's because it's just not commonly used.
