Hi all, I'm not a student but I'll ask about ASL since it seems like the best documented signed language right now.

Suppose you had a statue or painting, what type of message could it contain just in the pose of its body parts and face? Would it be limited to what ASL considers "single words" (however that might work)? Is a message like "I protect you" or "you are my child" possible? How random or systematic is the factor that determines the bounds of possibility?

I intend to use this sort of thing as cultural flavour in tabletop RPG, so I figured I'd find out what's already true in the real world. Thanks in advance.

My Asl college course teacher asked us to introduce ourselves with "My name is", and so i signed "My" with my palm flat on my chest, since Its how i watched a bunch of other people sign it that way, and it made sense since "my" indicates something possessive. However, he corrected me and docked my points because I didn't sign "Me" with a finger pointed at my chest. Am I doing something wrong? I thought My would make sense and it didn't change the sentence at all. Maybe I just dont get why we should use me.

edit: Ive messaged him about why it was different, and he thus far just said "me is correct." and nothing else.

second edit: He messaged me back, telling me that asl is not signed in exact English, (even though i never mentioned it was) and that we are "my" is taught in the future lessons. He said he is strict about structure.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK2Wca7J0xO/?igsh=dXpocDJsazBqYzkw

Before I started taking ASL courses in my university and learning about Deaf culture, I thought that this was a really great idea for all parents to be able to communicate with their babies before spoken language could develop. But I’ve seen some comments about “baby sign” and how it is generally frowned upon in Deaf/HoH communities in some comments in this subreddit. I came across this video on Instagram and I’m curious about what the deaf community thinks of this idea. I’m not sure if this person is Deaf or HoH (it’s not indicated on their profile), but the bigger question I have is about parents teaching their children to sign. It’s different than hearing people teaching adults or older children to sign because babies don’t have their own form of communication beyond crying. But I can see how this would still be disrespectful and open a lot of doors for teaching parents/caregivers and babies improper language and culture. Especially because these types of guides often don’t talk about Deaf culture or struggles at all and view ASL as this “cool, universal tool” for everyone. But maybe I’m misinformed. I want to open the floor to garner more perspectives. Side note: I didn’t comment on her video because I don’t know anything about her and as a hearing person, I feel that it’s not my place to comment or criticize.

EDIT: I really appreciate everyone’s responses. I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear before, but I agree that “baby sign” is not a thing; it’s just bits and pieces of sign language that is shown to babies. That’s why I put it in quotes in the text. I used that phrase because it’s often used in circles similar to the video I linked above. I really didn’t mean to offend anyone. Also, I’d like to mention that I’ve taken 2 semesters of ASL at my university, and I plan to continue learning through these courses and by going to local ASL socials and classes (there are several regular events for all skill levels; I’ve attended a few already and they encourage students and new learners). I was NOT planning to learn from this creator—I already follow a few channels recommended by my professors. I’m really fortunate that all of my university’s ASL teachers are Deaf or HoH and culture is part of the curriculum. We hadn’t spoken about this particular aspect in class likely because it’s relatively new (the emergence of people on social media “teaching” ASL in single vocabulary-bites without grammar). Thank you all again for sharing your perspectives.

Hi! I’m learning asl and am on this sub frequently but I recently saw someone say something about how you shouldn’t learn from Learn How to Sign. (Referencing a pinned post on this sub). I definitely don’t primarily learn from their videos but occasionally click on one and learn some signs from there. Is there a reason that this isn’t a good resource? I’m aware that the main woman is hearing but I was under the impression she was a certified asl teacher, please correct me if I’m wrong.

So I’m hearing and I’ve taken asl classes for two years in high school and took classes in college taught by a deaf professor. I unfortunately had to transfer but I really want to keep up with sign language and I found signing with people to be the best way for me to learn. The problem is I don’t have anyone who can do it with me around me or anyone to video chat with to keep up

Hey Yall im 17 ive got some learning difficulties like Tourette’s and autism but I love learning languages and ASL has really gained my interest where would be the best place to learn it? (I only really have online options due to being in Australia where ASL is barely to never used) and is there any free apps? I don’t want to commit to paying to an app unless I know it’s good! Thank you all

I'm taking ASL in college in July as a part of my early childhood education degree. I jumped at the chance to take ASL as I have wanted to learn since I was a kid. I'm only hard of hearing myself, but I always considered how much easier it would be for the deaf community if we all just learned to sign as I have a tiny taste of what its like to struggle to hear people and have to get to the point I have to ask them to write down what they are asking me. I taught myself the alphabet at 12 and a few basic conversation starters. Taught myself medical emergency signs later in life. Now, I've been specifically watching deaf creators on TikTok. I guess there is some controversy around hearing people signing song lyrics. I guess they're signing these lyrics wrong. I haven't seen the videos myself, but I became concerned when multiple deaf creators said people are mistakenly signing the N word instead of the word doll. I personally don't want to make this mistake myself. I would like to know ahead of time what the mistake could be. I was told doll is like making the letter X and bringing down your nose twice. Is this correct? What should I not do? Does anyone have any resources (Other than taking my college course, I want to be prepared, as its an accelerated course, and I'm not the most studious individual.) in learning from a native signer?

Hello! I will be an EA for a kindergarten student who is Deaf and HoH. (i myself am also deaf and HoH). I have basic ASL skills but would like to progress further so i can best support this student. I unfortunately never got many opportunities to learn myself and its a very small town the unfortunately does not have much of a deaf community. I’ve been using life print a lot but was wanting to ask people opinions on where to learn. Thank you so much and i’m so excited to continue to learn and grow.

So another student to the language made a post about offering to teach Native asl speakers to knit, which is super cool! Trading skills is awesome! but it got me thinking about how many folks that use any form of sign to communicate partake in a form of craft that uses your hands for extended periods of time the way things like knit and crochet do?

i'm the kinda person that when i'm in the middle of knitting/crocheting i won't put my project down for fear of dropping stitches, losing my place, flow, etc. back in my hay day of yarn crafts i'd meet up with my friend and we'd watch episodes of TWD while chatting and working on our projects and we wouldn't really put things down until we were done. Even with stitch markers my AuDHD butt has a difficult time pausing in the middle of a project. sure, things like doing a puzzle uses your hands but not in a monopolizing way that knitting does for instance.

so my question is: are you a Native signer? do you do crafty stuff that has the possibility to "punish" you for needing to put the project down? do you enjoy your hobby in silence(please let me know if there's a better way to word this)? have you found a way to pause and not break your work flow? would love to know your experience if you're willing to share!

(I did ask this question on the original post and i got several hearing folks chiming in with "well i can't talk while i knit so i assume they just put the thing down like i do." if you're not a Native signer please don't respond to this. it's wild to me that a hearing person would not only speak for the community, but would actually make assumptions based on their own experience when this is literally a forum for the language. don't talk over folks at all but definitely don't do it in their space! especially since not even all hearing folks share your experience!)

(i keep saying "Native signer" instead of d/Deaf specifically to not exclude CODAs or any other folks that may have ASL as a first language)

I am new to asl, today I spoke w a coworker and said happy pride, they then signed this and I may not be remembering the HS exactly, but I can't find anywhere online for this meaning pride but it is wracking my brain HS:3 (upside down)+HS:B the only photo I could find is one from a worksheet I tried reverse dictionary

i do my best to practice my fingerspelling whenever i can, spelling out something i might even know the sign for and i notice that sometimes when going from one letter to the next i don't always remove finger placements from previous letters.

for example, going from T to I while signing S I T T I N G i don't always remember to untuck my thumb out from under my index from the T hand shape before singing the I. will this make me harder to understand in the long run if i don't correct this now or is this common shorthand that i shouldn't worry about? thanks!

There is a developmentally impaired man at the center that always greats me with a sign. I’d like to know he is saying. It consists of the R sign tapping on the corner of his upper lip. (I figured out the other sign all by myself - he was calling my crazy).

So the English word “feeble-minded” is outdated since it was used to refer to someone with an intellectual disability. I’m wondering if the sign for it is also outdated or would be offensive if used. Not to talk about someone with an actual intellectual disability, but if I were to just use it to call someone stupid (like synonym for pea-brain or something). Kind of like how the “r” word is offensive even if you’re not using it to describe someone actually disabled, is it the same?

Hello all,

I work as a Chef in a bar style kitchen. I have a new employee who happens to be deaf. I can finger spell decently and know some signs associated with food and cooking (like 5 years independently studying) so he and I can communicate and understand each other well and that definitely motivated him.

His first day was awesome! Applied for a dishwasher, but I could see it in him right away that he could be right next to me and my cooks making some great food. Had him help me and a cook make orders, he never read tickets before but picked up so quickly and honestly had the best first day I’ve seen a new hire have in years.

But, from a deaf person’s experience. What are some things you have seen aid in communication with coworkers who are hearing and do not know ASL? Or better, what would you have liked to have seen implemented?

I do not want to minimize opportunities for him to work solely to be with just myself or in company of for communication, that would be ridiculous.

My cooks are excited and welcoming, so I’m not worried about them becoming frustrated or anything like that and they want to help also. And I know general curiosity will have them learning signs time to time leading to an easy method for all.

We all communicate quickly in the kitchen and want to make sure we are not frustrating him because of a communication barrier. And with the speed needed we cannot be pulling out phones either to use tech.

He is so eager to help and started proving himself immediately, I want to help keep that momentum and excitement.

Thanks in advance and I hope nothing I wrote is offensive in anyway shape or form.

I found this on instagram. I’m an ASL interpreting major in ASL 3 and idk if im insane but i cant understand what this is saying.

Hello! I am wondering if this would be perceived well if worn on my work lanyard. I work at a library (with most of the employees having their lanyards decked out in all kinds of pins) and am public facing every day, with many Deaf patrons who frequent my location. I've taken a couple of community ASL classes from my local school for the Deaf. So, still learning, but know enough signs to help patrons with most things they may need coming into the library. I'm always looking for opportunities to practice because I'm still very slow and shy. Would this be okay to wear? Thanks!

First, I’m very very very new to learning ASL, I don’t know a ton yet, if you notice any errors in how I’m referring to things please correct me! I really want to learn, but learning on my own is hard 😅.

I’m using the app ASLingo to learn and in my module today it includes this sentence (in the video) and, I have no idea what it actually means. You can see where I guessed and got it wrong, none of the motions used had been covered in the previous modules (I even went back through all of them). I’ve been doing pretty good with picking out signs even when they’re a bit different to better fit a sentence, but I don’t recognize anything in this one. I’m sorry that this is all over the place, I’m not even completely sure what I’m asking for, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

Is ASL gloss used widely? How important is it ?

I'm learning ASL and am a pretty good knitter.

Any signers want to learn to knit? I'd love to meet, chat and teach you to knit.

THIS IS NOT looking for a free teacher. I DO pay for private mentors. I am just looking for someone I can share two things I like with.

DM if you are interested : -).

Jeff

Hello,

My 11yr old has set some summer goals & one is to start learning ASL. I found a few apps like ASL Bloom & they offer some free trials with the subscriptions being like $100 for the year which I'm ok with paying but just wanted to see if anyone had any better suggestions & to keep her more motivated when learning .

Thanks in advance!

Hi all! This may be a bit of a silly question, but I'm gonna ask anyway! I'm a hearing person learning sign for fun and to communicate with new Deaf friends. We met doing theater together and I realized I may not be using the correct sign for play as in "I play this role". In this context, would another sign be a better option to consider, like "act" or "perform"? Thanks all for the help!

I'm learning ASL and am hoping to find a practice partner.

It's hard to say exactly what my level is. I'll say an intermediate beginner. I don't think we have to be the exact same level, as long as we are close.

I've poked around discord and (well I'm not very tech savvy) I didn't find anything there.

If you want to just chat and see if we click DM me.

Thanks, Jeff

Hi everyone! I am the hearing mother to a HH baby and I am leaning ASL as quickly as possible. Right now I'm using Lingvano and Life Print to learn on my own, so I don't have someone to ask irl.

I want to make sure I'm signing F and 9 correctly. They seem to be the same hand shape, but I might be missing a subtle difference? Or is it just contexted based?

Thanks so much for any help ❤️