How to Learn Sign Language

There are lots of reasons to learn sign language. Not only will knowing sign let you communicate better with deaf and hard-of-hearing friends, it can also open job possibilities as a sign language interpreter. What's more, it gives you a chance to explore a unique form of communication.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sign language course
• Sign language dictionary

1. Read up on tips for learning sign language. Methods for learning sign language are a little different from those for learning spoken languages. Understanding these differences can help you learn sign faster. Sign language also has a unique grammar system and you'll be a step ahead if you know something about it before you start memorizing signs. Learning about the way native signers use the language will also give you insight into how sign language works.

2. Find sign language lessons. In many cities, you can find sign language courses at private language schools, community colleges and organizations for the deaf. If there are none near you, look for a video or DVD course or online course with animation. You can learn sign language from books, but because sign is dynamic live interaction or videos make learning easier.

3. Choose some basic books on sign language. This way you can study while you're away from the TV or computer. Sign language textbooks range from "survival" level to upper-intermediate level. A get a sign language dictionary. Look for one that's organized in such a way that you can look up signs, not just written words.

4. Use flash cards. Since sign language is purely visual, flash cards are a realistic and effective way to practice it. Sign language flash cards have pictures of a either just a hand or a person forming the sign with arrows to show hand and arm movements.

5. Watch sign language users on TV and in videos. With closed captioning so widespread, it's now harder to find TV shows with a sign language interpreter on screen. You'll probably find more by searching online for ASL (or the variety of sign language you're studying) plus news, videos or movies. Instructional videos and DVDs are also available. A lot of movies with deaf characters also give you chance to see some sign in use.

6. Interact with sign language users. Look for local sign language clubs. If there's a school or organization for the deaf near you, ask if they have any volunteer work you could do. If you live in a remote area with no sign users, look for a language exchange partner online. You can communicate via webcam.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, there are different kinds of sign in different countries. Even between Canadian, American and British sign languages there are differences.
• If you want to learn an international sign language, learn Gestuno. This is the sign language equivalent of Esperanto.
• Sign to yourself. Just like you think to yourself to practice a spoken foreign language, you can sign whatever you're thinking. To practice reading sign, sign to yourself in front of a mirror.
• Be careful not to stare at people using sign language. When you're learning, it's tempting to watch signers to see if you can understand them. The people you watch may think you're just gawking at them, though. Instead of watching from a distance, learn how to introduce yourself and explain that you're learning sign language.

Resources

• LifePrint.com offers a sign language lessons and a dictionary.
• Learn sign language grammar at handspeak.com.
• Try out this interactive British sign language course.
• ASL.ms can help you practice fingerspelling.
• SigningOnline.com provides American sign language courses.

[crewser]

on 4/25/2009 There really is no need to modify the signs for babies, just sign them accurately and they will be able to eventually produce them correctly. If you (the parent) modify the sign, it is no longer ASL, it is a "home sign." When you teach a baby to speak, you do not modify the pronunciation of the words, do you?

[mut720]

on 12/19/2008 I need to learn to sign. Ihave lost half my hearing and I am A minister. Don't have no help finding A way to learn. I amdisable so I can't work and I really think this would be good for everyone.