A.S.L.stands for American Sign Language. American Sign Language, unlike some other sign language methods, is a non-verbal language with its own grammar, vocabulary, poetry, and so on. It is done with the hands, with the face,with the body. It is not the same as miming, even though many of the signs are easy to learn because they do in fact mimic an action. ASL is a highly cherished part of the Deaf community, and is also a fabulous second language for hearing people like me! I love learning it, even though I am far from fluent, and love Deaf culture.
The Sign Language Alphabet is a really good thing to start with. Spelling names or words out with the manual alphabet is called Fingerspelling. It is a skill you should really master. However, in conversation with the Deaf, fingerspelling is used only for proper nouns and stuff, NOT when you do not know a sign. If you do not know a sign, try to explain or describe rather than spelling. DON'T WORRY!!! They will be patient and understanding. :O)
Here is a really fun and useful fingerspelling site . . .
Fingerspelling
Converter
Here are some books & videos on ASL that I have read and found either entertaining or helpful . . .
I love this . . . I bought it on eBay and it hangs in my room. I am going to frame it. Of course, that is probably because as well as being a huge ASL fan, I collect stamps!
YOU KNOW . . . .
You can get the font "Gallaudet" which writes in fingerspelling (and is tons of fun to type letters in to friends who know sign!) for free!
Alexander Gram Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Okay, listen up . . . It is no secret that I lean pretty far to the ASL (though not NEARLY as far as some, like Deaf Pride people) side of the Sign vs. Oralism debate in MOST cases, but the fact is different kids have different needs. However, these people are NOT my favorite people and would definitely recommend looking at OTHER Oral organization information when you are looking at all the options. Email me if you want a better of things they have done. But, in all fairness, and as they are one of the Big groups, I thought I'd put them a link. But, trust me . . . while some Oralistic approaches are good for certain kids, I think these are BAD GUYS!!!!)
HEY! If you are in this circumstance, I have a major recommendation for ya! Searching the net is all well and good, but actually TALK to people face to face. find out how to contact Deaf people and ask them what they think, talk to organizations face to face. Talk to other parents of deaf kids, especially deaf parents. Get informed, and DO NOT take anyone's word for it . . . find out what is best. Also, watch "For a Deaf Son" if you can get ahold of it!
MORE LINKS TO COME \m/_
Note: We are not sponsored nor endorsed by the National Association of the Deaf... but we sure love them! <:O)
Deaf Life (a magazine FOR and about the Deaf Community)
ASL Info( what started out as Cindy's personal homepage about deaf culture and ASL is now a fully functional website that is VERY good!
It's also great to join a group online like a club on Yahoo or wherever you prefer. Great way to get many perspectives, and there are a LOT of them available to you to join.
And Yes, I had to buy HER too! I mean, come on, a Barbie? Who SIGNS? How cute is that?! She was from Toys R Us (besides I LOVE Toys!)
Conversation with a Deaf Child
(an original poem of mine)
p.s. you can see more of my poetry at my poetry blog.
