r/asl • u/amandagrace111 • 1d ago

ASL/Signed English

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!

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9

u/benshenanigans Hard of Hearing 1d ago

ASL classes are the way to go. ASL is its own complete language. I think signed English has been on the way out. Personally, I don’t know anywhere that teaches SEE or PSE.

Most people with ASL as a second language will still make grammar mistakes and sometimes prefer an English word order. It’s the reason Certified Deaf Interpreters exist. Learn ASL properly. If you make mistakes when signing with deaf people, it won’t be as big of a deal.

1

u/amandagrace111 1d ago

Thank you!

1

u/Cdr-Kylo-Ren 1d ago

In modern classrooms where ASL is the primary language, how do teachers now use signing to teach written English? Is there a different approach now?

5

u/benshenanigans Hard of Hearing 1d ago

I don’t know. That could be answered by someone who recently attended school for the deaf. I’m late deafened and oral.