How to Learn to Sign Exact English

Knowing how to sign the alphabet is valuable tool when communicating with the deaf.

Signing Exact English, also known as SEE, is a method of sign language that signs words exactly as they are used in the spoken English language. Though it has been widely used since the 1970s, it is now in competition with other methods of sign language, such as American Sign Language (ASL) and Pidgin Sign Language (PSL), also known as Pidgin Signed English (PSE) and Signed English. As of 2010, the only organization promoting SEE Sign is the SEE Center for the Advancement of Deaf Children.

Things You'll Need

• "Signing Exact English Dictionary"

Instructions

1. Using the "Signing Exact English Dictionary," learn the signs for the alphabet. Use your dominant hand and copy the signs exactly as shown in the book. Once you know the alphabet, you will be able to spell any words that you don't know the sign for.

2. Learn basic and everyday use signs such as body parts, colors, numbers and household items. You can determine what signs are most important for you to use and learn these accordingly.

3. Choose and rehearse more advanced signs. Use your dominant hand for the majority of signs unless the sign calls for two hands. This step will be repeated as necessary until you have a large vocabulary of signs.

4. Combine signs into sentences. Because SEE sign follows the diction and sentence structure of spoken English, there is no need to learn a distinct word order or grammar.

5. Practice every day by signing as you perform your daily routines. This will increase fluency and help the signs to feel natural. The amount of signs you learn per day will depend on how much you practice and how comfortable you are with signing.

Tips & Warnings

• While it is possible to learn SEE by using only the SEE sign dictionary, it is helpful to have another method of seeing the signs in action, such as a CD-ROM or DVD. This will allow you to see the exact hand movement as some signs can be very similar with only slight variation.

• The SEE Center (SEEcenter.org) offers "skillshops" for those interested in learning SEE or to further your understanding and use of SEE.

• SEE is a well-known method of sign language, but it varies from ASL, which is widely used in the deaf culture. While SEE sign is a form of English expressed through signs rather than words, ASL is a distinct language with its own grammar and sentence structure. According to the website ASLinfo.com, many deaf people consider ASL to be their natural language. Pidgin Signed English---or Signed English---combines the words from ASL with the sentence structure and word order of spoken English. Listen-Up.org claims that PSE is easier to learn that both SEE and ASL.

References

• S.E.E. Center: Skillshops
• Listen-Up: ASL, SEE Sign, & Signed English
• ASL Info: About ASL

Resources

• S.E.E. Center: Signing Exact English
• Gallaudet University Press: Signed English