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The Way Deaf Children Responded to BTS Utilizing ASL, KSL, and ISL

South Korean boy band BTS’s usage of sign language into their July 2021 “Permission to Dance” music video attained worldwide recognition. Specifically, the group was praised for incorporating International Sign Language (ISL), American Sign Language (ASL) and Korean Sign Language (KSL) as part of their performance. The particular video’s choreography incorporates signs for the words “enjoy,” “dance,” and “peace.”

This video is set within the post-pandemic world, where the band members are seen dancing in various settings including a sunny location, a patio, and a laundromat. The sign language utilization in “Permission to Dance” develops at the end of the song, whereby all the band members collectively sang “na, na, na.”

To ensure that the meaning of “Permission to Dance” was clear, BTS along with their team of choreographers paid special focus on the details into their signing. A representative of BTS’ entertainment company Big Hit Music said, “After choosing keywords and symbolic gestures, we turned that into choreography. And we went through a process of holding many discussions with experts [including Deaf people and sign language interpreters] to make sure the meaning was coming across.”

The experts the group consulted highlighted the importance of such expressions in performing sign language. For instance, the sign for “enjoy” also conveys “welcome.” So, to unambiguously communicate the lyric with regards to “enjoy” to their Deaf and Hard-of-hearing fans, the band needed to clearly show happiness in their faces.

Reactions of Deaf Children Who Viewed the Music Video

The YouTube channel Deaf BTS just recently uploaded video clips of children’s response towards the “Permission to Dance” music video. In the past, the channel has released other videos where they have done sign language for a number of BTS songs. This time, a group of Deaf children fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) were shown responding to the music video whilst sitting on the floor.

One particular girl was actually stunned when she observed BTS member J-Hope performing in ASL, and shared a touching response. She signed, “I’m stunned. That’s ASL ‘dance!’ They signed ‘dance.’ How’d they do that?” She added, “They signed ‘dance’! Cool. They signed ‘dance’ twice. Just like here in the US. I’m gonna pass out.” The ecstatic girl then pretended to faint by dramatically falling forward on the floor.

When the other kids also noticed what the band was doing, they couldn’t believe that BTS had utilized American Sign Language within their performance. One girl pondered pertaining to when the band members had learned ASL.

The Video’s Positive Outcomes From Utilizing ASL

By using sign language within their choreography the group provided the youngsters and numerous other Deaf or Hard of hearing (D/HoH) sign language individuals globally a sense of greater inclusion in mainstream culture. Such thoughtful acts by pop stars along with other public figures help make members of the D/HoH community feel like they’re being seen and heard by the much larger community.

BTS’s usage of sign language is additionally boosting awareness of the D/HoH culture amongst hearing individuals. The fans were furthermore greatly impressed by the sign language integrated into the “Permission to Dance” choreography.. One admirer wrote on Twitter, “You know what’s cool? The motion that they were doing for ‘dance’ is the actual sign for ‘dance’ in American Sign Language.”

These kinds of responses declare that “Permission to Dance” can help to lessen the preconception associated with the Deaf and Hard of hearing in our culture. They also deliver hope to the D/HoH community by exhibiting that hearing people are willing to recognize them and their language as equals. In this manner, the video is an important steppingstone toward a more significant acceptance and inclusion of D/HoH people in mainstream modern society.

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Hand Talk: The Native American Sign Language that Prior to ASL

Native American Sign Language, or Hand Talk, was created hundreds of years prior to American Sign Language came into being. It features four crucial parameters: hand location, hand movement, hand shape, and hand orientation:

1. Hand Location: The pertains to the positioning of a sign in an area. A sign’s significance can be modified if positioned in a different area, such as in front of the face as opposed to in front of the chest.

2. Hand Movement: This one relates to how one's hands move when making a sign. As an example, in Hand Talk, the signs “afternoon” and “mid-day” are created in the same way. The only distinction is that mid-day is stationary, and afternoon shifts from over the head to the side of one's head in an arching gesture.

3. Handshape: Each sign takes on a specific shape in the hand, also known as a handshape. The handshapes of signs are necessary factors. For instance, the signs for “yes” and “I know” are identical in most aspects with the exception of the handshape; in “yes” the hand forms the characteristic J shape, and in “I-know” the hand makes the L shape.

4. Orientation: This represents palm position and is noticeable in the Hand Talk words “above” and “add.” Both of those signs involve utilizing the left hand to create a base, from which the right-hand rises, and both have similar locations, movements, and handshapes. However, when signing “above,” the non-dominant hand is positioned palm down, while in “add” the non-dominant hand is palm up.

Hand Talk’s Influence on American Sign Language
Not one person can take recognition for making American Sign Language. It's heritage reaches back to early Nineteenth century, when varieties of signs developed in New England’s Deaf local communities. And during the latter part of that century, Hand Talk impacted the formation of ASL, but historians mostly disregard this fact.

Hand Talk comes with regional variations which exist all around North America. Some examples are a northeastern variant that ranges across the present-day New England, upper Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic states. Researchers believe this version of Hand Talk significantly influenced the creation of American Sign Language. This impact took place in the Nineteenth century through the signing of Native American children that went to the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. An online video titled “The Hidden History of “Hand Talk” reveals convincing evidence for Hand Talk’s influence on ASL and US culture.

Nevertheless, regardless of its once-large amount of users and robust influence on American Sign Language, Hand Talk is at a decline. This particular effect is a result of the widespread depopulation and Americanization of Native North Americans in the last Two hundred years. For example, in 1885, around 110,000 Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Sioux, Kiowa, Arapaho, and other tribal peoples utilized Native American Sign Language or Hand Talk. Although by the 1960s, merely a portion of this number exists. Currently in the 21st century, a small number of active Hand Talk users remained.

Similar to the other indigenous languages of North America, Native American Sign Language is dwindling in numbers. But as the number of fluent signers may be small, the language continues to be used to varying degrees by some individuals of Siouan and Algonquian tribes.

In addition, activists like Deaf Cherokee researcher Dr. Melanie McKay-Cody of Arizona are working considerately to keep North American Hand Talk alive. Dr. McKay-Cody works with tribal groups to help them safeguard their signed languages. She additionally encourages for Hand Talk to be incorporated into the mainstream education of Deaf and Hard of hearing students. It is hoped that such efforts will help Hand Talk to survive. In this way, forthcoming generations can continue to utilize and relish the language and appreciate the rich ethnic tradition from which it originated.

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American Sign Language Program at Sioux Falls School Has Been Expanded

The Sioux Falls School District’s (SFSD’s) current move to expand its American Sign Language program addresses a vital aspect of the D/HoH lifestyle. Deaf teacher Colleen Barber views the move to be a substantial boon to her community. Prior to the enactment of the new policy, she had been the only educator of ASL. But this time there's one other American Sign Language instructor. Ms. Barber is optimistic in regards to the future of ASL in her community as she witnesses the expansion of the program..

Within previous years, high school students could get just one year of language credits from learning ASL. Currently, with the addition of American Sign Language level 3 and 4 classes, students can fulfill their particular second language requirements with ASL solely

The SFSD‘s Rebecca Wimmer states that responding to the community’s diverse needs is progressively important as the city of Sioux Falls develops. These needs would be the necessities of Deaf and Hard-of-hearing students. Because of this, the School District has expanded its ASL program to benefit these learners and hearing students. “For our high school students, we [need to] prepare them for that next phase of life, make sure that they’re getting access to college programs, that they have career readiness skills,” Ms. Wimmer adds.

The Main Advantages of Expanding American Sign Language Programs

1. Social Advantages
Providing hearing pupils the option to take ASL courses endorses greater inclusivity inside the schools and in nearby local communities at the same time. Learning ASL as a second language furthermore broadens the scope of hearing students’ social networks to include people in the D/HoH populace.

Furthermore, educating American Sign Language in public schools offers D/HoH learners many added probabilities to have interaction with their hearing class mates.

2. Intellectual Benefits
Many studies have shown that learning a completely new language boosts cognitive processes, which leads to higher academic achievement and improved probability for career accomplishment.

- Creative thinking
- Mental flexibility
- Problem-solving ability
- Listening skills
- Abstract reasoning

3. Bonus Benefits
Communicating in a visual medium like signing heightens students’ visual sensitivity, spatial awareness and ability to mentally rotate an object and view it from various perspectives.

4. Career Opportunities
Acquiring ASL as a second language increases students’ employment opportunities. By sign language interpreting and educating to speech pathology and audiology, the range of work opportunities regarding American Sign Language is wide.

Besides the many benefits that American Sign Language programs provide individual D/HoH and hearing students, they additionally help communities. For this reason, around 35 states now acknowledge ASL as being a contemporary language inside their school systems. And more and more US colleges and universities offer ASL courses.

How American Sign Language has Developed Throughout The Years

During the past decades, American Sign Language changed primarily by way of face-to-face interaction. But presently, a new signed word can easily spread out like wildfire on social media platforms such as YouTube or TikTok.

This content discusses some of the changes occurring across ASL, many of which are due to the wide-spread availability of mobile phones and video. These types of technologies have brought on a huge blossoming of American Sign Language interactions.

Early Development Stages of American Sign Language

American Sign Language got its start in the early 19th century at the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in West Hartford, Connecticut, through language contact with English. Ever since then, the use of ASL has been extensively advertised by Deaf schools and Deaf community groups across the US and beyond.

During its initial years, French Sign Language significantly affected American Sign Language, nonetheless it was not formalized or standardized right up until 1817. The number of ASL users today is projected at 500,000, but it could very well be a lot higher.

Ways of Learning ASL Now Versus Before

During the past decades, receiving face-to-face instruction from teachers, tutors, close friends, or relatives was essentially the only way to learn ASL. However at the present time, many method of studying the language are accessible, such as the following.

- Attending an in-person classroom setting
- Taking a web based course
- Online learning by watching videos
- Joining an ASL group or Deaf club
- Visiting a Deaf café
- Hiring a private instructor
- Watching and mimicking interpreters
- Using an instructional application and
- Being trained by Deaf family members or friends

Whichever method of learning ASL you choose, it is very necessary to have a great time and communicate often with other ASL users. This process will improve your language acquisition and facilitate your accessibility to the D/HoH community.

Impact of Phones on ASL
The cell phone has brought a less remarkable affect on American Sign Language. Although, when mobile phones started to include video displays (i.e. smartphones),this situation switched immensely.

Impact of Video on ASL
Video has allowed ASL users to connect with less effort and instruct the language to more people. This also increases the opportunity to rapidly create and circulate brand new signs that reflect either changes in technology or completely new modes of thinking and acting.

Impact of Social Media on ASL
Presently, growing ASL communities can be found on TikTok, YouTube, along with other social media networks.

The Present State of American Sign Language

Downsizing of Signs
To accommodate the limited spaces of video and cell phone screens, words typically signed with both hands might currently be signed with only one. These particular kinds of changes only are acknowledged with some ASL users.

New Signed Words
In earlier times, ASL evolved by means of face-to-face interaction. Now, a new signed word propagates rapidly on social networking websites.

Preserving American Sign Language
No matter what issues might arise as ASL advances, preserving the language for future generations is vital. Doing so can help safeguard Deaf culture and assure that Deaf/HoH individuals have access to their method of self-expression and communication in the decades up ahead.

Rihanna's Sign Language Interpreter Justina

Just Went Viral

Having sign language interpreters perform at music festivals and concerts has started to become a significant craze worldwide and in the U . S .. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for performers which range from Eminem to the Red Hot Chili Peppers are increasingly typical at musical occasions in the United States. I

When it comes to the halftime performance at Super Bowl LVII, ASL interpreter Justina Miles gave D/HoH audience members more than their money’s worth. She presented outstanding and thrilling sign language renditions of Rihanna’s music.

The 20-year-old Deaf ASL performer put together a show that equaled or simply exceeded Rihanna’s efforts, as she energetically and accurately interpreted all Twelve songs in Rihanna’s set. CBS News went as far as to say Justina “stole the show at Super Bowl LVII.” She danced and articulated each compelling word in “B-- Better Have My Money,” and evoked the tone and spirit within the songs solely through the power of American Sign Language.

Aside from providing an incredibly acclaimed ASL version of Rihanna’s halftime set, Justina furthermore interpreted “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” sung before kickoff by US actor and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph.” This moving song, composed in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, is regarded as the Black national anthem, and served as the rallying cry for the US Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and ’60s.

Justina Miles’ efforts at the 2023 Super Bowl tremendously elevated the awareness of ASL at big public events. They additionally increased awareness with regard to the value of having sign language interpreters operate in public settings and presenting the D/HoH community in the media.

In a press conference organised a week before the game, Justina defined the presentation as an important moment: “Not only for me to share this experience with the whole world, but to really bring that empowerment to millions and millions of Black Deaf people all over the country who’ve never really seen that before. I feel that is truly lifting every voice, even my voice.”

Just as demonstrated by the fascinating work of Justina Miles during the 2023 Super Bowl, sign language interpreters at musical performances do more than render the songs’ lyrics. They additionally use their bodies to convey the songs’ pulse, feeling and musicality to Deaf and Hard-of-hearing audience members. In this manner, they perform a beneficial service to the world by helping make the concert-going experience more enjoyable and accessible for many music fanatics. In addition, sign language interpreters help promote increased inclusivity for the D/HoH members of society, thus improving their lives along with the quality of worldwide lifestyle.

For these reasons, American Sign Language interpreters plus the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing population deserve more significant visibility within the mainstream media and wider inclusion in the entertainment business.

Parents Push for More American Sign Language Education for Deaf Children

When deaf or hard of hearing children lack proficiency in sign language, they encounter several disadvantages as they enter school. Therefore, numerous parents are currently advocating for increased American Sign Language (ASL) education within schools across the United States. Studies have demonstrated that children who learn sign language at an early age perform better in various areas, including academic achievement and social interaction, as compared to those who do not possess sign language skills.

Typically, when children are diagnosed with deafness or hearing impairment, they are often provided with hearing aids, cochlear implants, or both. Hearing aids enhance the children’s passive hearing ability, while cochlear implants entirely circumvent the ears and send electronic signals directly to the brain.

An article featured in the Social Service Review titled “Avoiding Linguistic Neglect of Deaf Children”. In their article, the authors, who are mainly Deaf or Hard-of-hearing themselves, state that the use of electronic devices with a “speech only” approach can negatively affect the development of many deaf children. This prevents them from mastering the language during their formative years, which is a crucial time for learning. As a consequence, inadequate brain development takes place, causing lasting damage to an individual's intellectual and social abilities. An optimal approach would be for parents to commence sign language instruction for their deaf children at the earliest opportunity.

Obstacles to Widening Access to ASL Education
Numerous parents of Deaf/HoH (Hard of Hearing) children discover that their communities do not have the necessary resources to provide ASL education. When the parents consult with educators on how their Deaf or Hard-of-hearing child can be helped, they become frustrated. There should be more dialogue surrounding communication, access to resources, language growth and the choices accessible to parents.

In most cases, school districts in the area do not provide any assistance to students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Consequently, there is an urgent need to broaden the opportunities for these children and enhance their ability to acquire language.

In order to address the issue of inadequate ASL education in their communities, social workers can implement the following steps:

- make a diligent attempt to educate themselves about the problem
- take steps to educate the public about ASL education, and...
- encourage the attainment of rigorous standards in American Sign Language education for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Additional Options to Enhance the Recognition and Implementation of American Sign Language Education
Below are extra methods to growing ASL learning through the educational systems, government, and communications media.

Enable ASL to meet foreign language specifications in schools
Supplying ASL to fulfill a foreign language requirement is really a practical alternative for a lot of students. That is because ASL is definitely the principal language of approximately one-quarter to half a million individuals in the United States. Providing ASL as a foreign language option can even lead to better child care for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing children. It will significantly assist in communications between the D/HoH and hearing communities when ASL is known and utilized by many people.

Develop more online resources to make ASL available for everybody
At the beginning of 2023, as many as 5.16 billion individuals around the world had been using the internet. This number comes to 64.4% of the global population. Thus, raising the quantity and accessibility to online ASL educational resources such as Start ASL can tremendously increase public entry to and acquisition of the language.

Campaign to get more government legislation that supports ASL learning
Endorsing projects such as Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) are generally highly impactful in broadening ASL education. LEAD-K is a national legislative campaign. It requires states to put ASL learning to be equal with English learning so that D/HoH kids have a robust language foundation as they start school. What's more, it requires states to ensure that D/HoH youngsters are at age-appropriate learning levels as soon as they reach kindergarten.

The particular approaches described above could go a considerable ways toward providing better access to ASL education. If you wish to take some action and help support campaigns endorsing increased access to ASL learning, have a look at LEAD-K and similar efforts in your neighborhood and round the nation. Additionally you can start learning ASL online to be a part of the growing American Sign Language family.

9-Month-Old Deaf Baby Signs ‘Milk’ in American Sign Language - Deaf Family Ecstatic

American Sign Language (ASL) is a sight-based method of communication. When people utilize sign language, their brains sort out and interpret language-based data through their eyes. Hand shape, positioning, and hand movement, along with facial cues and physical gestures, all convey information through ASL.

ASL is mostly employed in different parts of the United States and English-speaking regions of Canada. Numerous high schools, colleges, and universities in the US accept it to fulfill pupils' foreign language needs. Furthermore, caregivers often teach ASL to their Deaf and Hard of hearing (D/HoH) youngsters beginning at birth. Therefore, the children can communicate with relatives, friends, and additional individuals as quickly as possible.

This particular technique of early instruction in ASL is adopted by Stefani and Oscar Arevalo in the county of Kern, the Golden State, with their two Deaf kids - girl Ervelyn and boy Jabez. The Arevalos furthermore teach others in their neighborhood regarding life as a Deaf or Hard of Hearing individual and use social media to encourage ASL as the most effective mode of communication for D/HoH people.

For instance, the pair lately uploaded a clip on TikTok showing their 9-month-old child Jabez learning his primary term, “milk.” In the video, the little one gets exceptionally enthusiastic as his mother tries to communicate with him by signing “milk” in ASL.

Inside an additional footage, Estefani utilizes sign language to convey “milk” to their little one while they are within a market. Her overlay reads, “I introduced my baby boy to ASL after we found out he is Deaf.” The caption furthermore indicates that she endeavors to educate Jabez the best way to sign the term milk each day and that she “caught him signing milk while [they] were shopping.”

The introduction of ASL into baby Jabez’s lexicon was a remarkable accomplishment for the Arevalos. It has generated novel prospects for them to communicate with their children in a better way.

The Beauty and Advantages of Using Sign Language

Sign language can positively impact Deaf and Hard of Hearing children by empowering them to communicate in a way that feels fulfilling. Moreover, sign language can facilitate communication barrier among families with hearing-impaired children, enhancing relationships and comprehension between family members. Furthermore, educating sign language to D/HoH and hearing children can bring further advantages, like the following:

1. Fine and gross motor skills are boosted
Kids' gross motor skills usually precede their verbal communication, as evidenced by the fact that babies can walk and run earlier than being able to use complete sentences. Sign language encourages gross and fine motor skills by its regular incorporation of manual signs and finger actions.

2. Signing before acquiring verbal skills
In the event that educated adequately, infants have the capacity to start employing sign language prior to uttering their first utterance. The reason is that babies' need to express their needs and wants is apparent well before their verbal abilities commence.

3. Improved confidence and self-esteem
As children become skilled in communicating through sign language, their confidence and self-esteem can blossom because they are able to interact more effectively with their parents and other family members. As a result, enables their wants to be fulfilled faster.

ASL offers these and many other benefits both kids with hearing loss and hearing children. Through it, caregivers, teachers, and early childhood professionals have the ability to aid youngsters in acquiring new words, building core educational skills, and progressing in various other domains.

Disney Princess Communicating in American Sign Language Brings Happiness to Deaf Child

A number of people may feel isolated simply because it’s typically difficult to communicate properly in American Sign Language with peers, members of the family and particularly strangers. With regards to 11-year-old Zoe Tapley, this feeling was suddenly prevailed at Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Zoe is Hard of hearing, and her dad and mom, Jesse and Jeanette, routinely have to interpret interactions for her whenever she is out in general public. Within places such as theme parks, the family wander around enjoying the sites with Zoe. Subsequently, they help build awareness to her surroundings. They need to stop occasionally at check-in spots wherin they talk about what’s happening around them using American Sign Language (ASL).

Although, things were different on the family’s 2022 trip to Disneyland. As Zoe and her guardians were meeting various Disney characters, Zoe approached the actor dressed up as Princess Anna from the movie Frozen. Zoe signed “Hello” in ASL, and the actor roleplaying Anna immediately observed that Zoe was Deaf. The lady subsequently looked at Zoe’s mother and father and requested, “Can I sign?” The moment Zoe’s father Jesse said “Yes,” Anna communicated with Zoe in American Sign Language.

Zoe and Anna then signed with each other about topics which range from Zoe’s favorite Disneyland rides to how Zoe ended up being adopted from the Congo. It was an excellent encounter for Zoe’s parents to see their daughter completely having fun at Disneyland by communicating on her own through American Sign Language.

As stated by her mother Jeanette, it was the very first time she was able to interact with a Disney character by means of American Sign Language. Jeanette said it was thrilling to witness her own daughter utilize ASL with a personality at the park. Zoe’s father, Jesse, added, “It was one of those things where she got to feel the magic rather than being filtered through mom and dad.”

Why This American Sign Language Story Makes a Difference

Influence on other Deaf/Hard of Hearing Households and on Society in particular
Individuals who viewed the online video of Zoe Tapley signing with Princess Anna at Disneyland had a potent and inspiring message. These kinds of encounter really make a difference towards the Deaf and Hard of hearing community because they are empowering. It convey the notion that Deaf/HoH individuals have a place in the broader society and are also included and appreciated.

An Inspiration for More People to Learn American Sign Language
As more video footage of Disney characters interacting with Deaf/HoH people are distributed to a global viewers online, Deaf recognition and knowledge of sign language increases. The process will additionally encourage people to learn sign language physically or through online language learning resources like Start ASL. This, in turn, can result in increased acceptance and inclusion for the worldwide Deaf/HOH community.

A Chance for Other Companies to Follow Suit
The Disney initiative has the potential to enthuse other companies to follow suit and recognise the value of communicating in sign language with Deaf and Hard of hearing people. Doing so can open up a new world of possibilities for every type of companies in today’s increasingly interdependent and diverse global society.

Does American Sign Language Really Have Accents?

American Sign Language (ASL) records its roots back to the Nineteenth century in France. And like any spoken or signed language, ASL has developed with time to represent users’ regional and cultural distinctions.

American Sign Language is not a rendition of English. In fact, it’s a unique language that's got its own grammar, pronunciation, sentence structures, idioms and word formation. Much like other natural languages, ASL has evolved spontaneously in people through extended utilization and repetition without conscious planning. IIt is the primary sign language employed by Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in the United States Of America and the majority of English-speaking Canada. ASL is really a complete, structured visual language with both non-manual and manual features.

Public speakers of American Sign Language generally have their accents or communication patterns. Also similar to every various other languages, ASL is characterized by regional variations and alterations in tone. With regard to sign language, a style or accent is observable in how words are signed in a different way. It is a lexical distinction, resembling how certain US residents say “pop” while others say “soda” when referring to a soft drink.

Cultural and Regional Variants of American Sign Language

Individuals that make use of spoken languages have diverse accents or varieties in the way they speak depending on where they are from. Sometimes within one country, people’s accents vary from region to region. For instance, in the US, individuals from New York have New York accents, and those from the South have Southern accents. Likewise, accents, also called styles, occur in ASL.

A specific individual’s ASL accent or style varies according to their gestures, expressions, behaviors, speed of execution, phrases, and hand motions. ASL accents, overall, are influenced by users’ physical condition, age level, culture, place of birth, and use of idioms and slang. A proficient ASL user can often identify what location or culture a person is coming from depending on how they sign.

Black American Sign Language (BASL)
This particular language evolved because US schools for the Deaf in the late Nineteenth century didn't acknowledge Black students. Therefore, BASL come about from the Black culture in order to meet the students’ necessities. It features Black slang and idioms in conjunction with traditional ASL elements.

Regional ASL Styles or Accents
At the level of word meaning, the same signed notion in ASL can signify various things in different regions of the United States. For instance, within the western states, particularly California, the B hand shape, with the palm held outward and shaken vertically, signifies the city of Berkeley. In contrast, this sign usually means the city of Boston within the eastern states.

Northeastern ASL Accents/Styles
New York - Very much like their Hearing counterparts, Deaf/HoH ASL users from New York City sign quickly. ASL users coming from New York sign faster and utilize several body language and facial expressions compared to those from different areas of the United States. They also use New York slang and are more likely to use more profanity!

Philadelphia - The Philadelphia region features a few unusual signs due to the city’s long history of teaching Deaf/HoH individuals to communicate through speech and lip-reading. They have created a number of home-grown signs that are presently a part of that region’s ASL accent or style.

Southern ASL Accent/Style
Southern ASL users express their signs to imitate the famous Southern drawl. Southerners even touch their chests and the lower part of their faces on a regular basis when signing, and these gestures have become a part of the South’s ASL accent or style.

Midwestern ASL Accent/Style
While signers in the Northeast are typically quick with their signing and Southerners are slow and meticulous, Midwesterners lie somewhere in between. For instance, American Sign Language users from Ohio tend to be calm and relaxed with their signing, not too fast or too slow.

The Effect of ASL Accents/Styles on Communication
Accents mirror people’s distinctive history, and a lot of them are proud of their style and accents. However, much like spoken English, possessing a distinct ASL accent might cause challenges in interacting with other native individuals in educational, work and social settings.

Because of this, some ASL users discover ways to modify or eliminate their accents to improve signed communication skills. Another method in addressing this problem is thru standardization of ASL to aid users communicate better.

Unlock Your Potential and Explore New Careers When You Learn American Sign Language

If you are deciding to learn American Sign Language (ASL), you’re a part of an evergrowing trend. The usage of sign language has become more common throughout the world. More and more people are using the language as a communication tool or learning it as an educational subject. In the U.S. and Canada, roughly 250,000 - 500,000 people of all ages and backgrounds make use of sign language as their first language. In the U.S. nowadays, ASL is the third most widely used language after English and Spanish.

Sign language is a largely manual form of communication frequently utilized by those people who are Deaf or Hard of hearing. Sign language isn't universal in form. Deaf or Hard of hearing (Deaf/HoH) people from different countries speak different sign language varieties. The actions or symbols utilized in sign languages are structured linguistically with distinctive grammar and word orders. Each gesture in a sign language is called a sign. Each sign has five primary components which are utilized during signed communication. These include hand shape, hand position, hand movement, palm orientation, and also non-manual elements such as facial expressions and body posture.

Since it's the most widely used sign language in the U.s., it’s vital to learn ASL for a couple of reasons. To begin with, becoming adept in the using ASL helps you communicate with a broad range of hearing, Hard of hearing, and also Deaf people. These comprise of students in regular schools and Deaf school or university programs, as well as Deaf/HoH business people and residents of your neighborhood. Moreover, fluency in ASL enhances the quality and depth of family relationships for hearing individuals who have Deaf/HoH family members.

Aside from these benefits, as more Deaf/HoH and hearing people learn sign language, the plethora of careers open to people with this skill is growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the profession of a sign language interpreter keeps growing far more faster than ever, with a 19% rate of growth predicted over the next 5 years.

Job Opportunities in Education
Opportunities in this industry include being sign language interpreters for individuals, organizations, meetings, and classes in educational institutions. What’s more, ASL-proficient educators are in demand at Deaf schools, special education programs, as well as post-secondary schools like Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. A related profession involves working with Deaf-blind students using a tactile type of sign language.

Job Opportunities in Healthcare
Work paths for those who learn sign language also are growing in healthcare. Medical ASL interpreters are in the forefront of aiding Deaf and Hard of hearing patients in healthcare settings. They utilize numerous communication methods, such as sign language and speech reading, also known as lip reading.

Sign language interpreters are essential to break down the language barrier and properly care for patients. And to ensure a high-quality and safe interpreting experience for Deaf/HoH patients, all pro ASL interpreters are certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).

Career Opportunities in Communications
Interpreters make it possible for successful communication among clients in the following situations:

· conferences and formal meetings;

· business gatherings like exhibits, personnel meetings, and also product launches;

· criminal justice proceedings such as police interrogations, courtroom hearings, lawyer interviews, settlement meetings, and also immigration hearings (work conducted in these settings is known as public service interpreting); and

· community-based events and assignments.

The job of sign language interpreters could also include translating documents into sign language. This action, known as sight translation, is the rendering of a written text into ASL or even another sign language and is frequently done in real-time.

Work Opportunities in Movies and Entertainment
Effective interpreting in T.V., films, or the theatre needs not only knowledge of sign language. It requires understanding the entertainment industry at the same time. And so, qualified sign language interpreters, consultants, or tutors in the field also need training in acting or movie direction to be able to effectively satisfy clients’ needs.

Sign language interpreters
Sign language interpreters who function behind the camera help with communication among performers, directors, and other people on set during meetings, at cast reads, and at rehearsals in the studio as well as on location.

Sign language teachers
Identical to dialect coaches, sign language tutors teach and also instruct actors in utilizing sign language needed for specific roles. When they learn ASL, tutors become specialists in the subtle nuances of the language. These intricacies involve facial expressions and body movements necessary for accurate communication.

On camera, on stage, and voice-over interpreters
ASL interpreters may also be employed to offer their services live on camera or stage at live shows as well as political activities. Moreover, they could do voice-over job for movies or T.V. shows.

Technical consultants on sign language
Individuals who learn sign language may also get jobs as consultants who work with writers, directors, script supervisors, and actors. Their work is to guarantee the accurate use of the language and features unique to Deaf Culture and the Deaf/HoH community.

Job Opportunities in Social Services
Interpreting in the social services industry is essential to a community’s well-being. Social services sign language interpreters help social workers in improving the lives of Deaf/HoH kids and family members.

In light of the countless fascinating new occupations opening up every single day for individuals who learn ASL, the economic and social value of the language is certainly growing. So, once you pursue a career path relating to sign language, it could be one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Stray Kids’ Hyunjin Making a Shout-Out to ASL Interpreters Will Make You Wish to Learn ASL

Quite a lot of time and energy is put into developing the concert-going experience enjoyable and accessible for everyone. Recently, Hyunjin, the lead rapper and dancer of the South Korean music band Stray Kids, thanked some people who make this a reality - talented and dedicated ASL interpreters.

Stray Kids (often shortened SKZ) is a famous 8-member South Korean boy band that enjoys an ardent worldwide fan base. The music band, which arose from the 2017 reality show of the same brand, was established by the South Korean record and entertainment conglomerate JYP Entertainment.

Whilst Inspiring More People to Learn ASL, Sign language Interpreters Make Stray Kids’ Concerts Exceptional

During their 2022 MANIAC world tour, the Stray Kids made two visits in Inglewood, California nearby downtown Los Angeles. On the very first night of the Inglewood concert series, an admirer noticed that American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters were among the viewers enthusiastically signing to the benefit of the band’s admirers that are deaf. The interpreter subsequently recorded a video of their work during the live concert. After the event, Hyunjin watched this video on the internet and afterwards made a comment on the interpreters’ efforts.

When chatting with the audience after the 2nd Inglewood concert, Hyunjin pointed out that he saw the video of the interpreters signing during the previous night’s concert. Then he gave them a wonderful shout-out in recognition on their efforts.

Seeing the interpreters doing their thing additionally made Hyunjin enthusiastic about learning sign language personally. He said, “It made me want to learn sign language as well.” Thus, Hyunjin might want to learn and use sign language in the foreseeable future because the moving experience of discovering ASL interpreters serving his Deaf/HoH admirers at the concert.

Reasons Why Hyunjin’s Shout Out to the ASL Interpreters is Really Important

1. It absolutely was uplifting for fans to see a K-pop star thanking ASL interpreters
The fans appreciate the coverage that personalities just like Hyunjin can provide to interpreters. K-pop fans also wish that such acknowledgments will ultimately lead to more significant exposure for people who are Deaf or Hard of hearing.

2. Hyunjin’s act of admiration shows that he values diversity, inclusion, and He Wishes More Hearing Individuals to Learn ASL
Finding the time at a well-attended and exciting SKZ concert to take into consideration the passion of ASL interpreters showed Hyunjin’s belief in the value of inclusion and diversity, as well as his caring nature.

3. These Acts of Recognition are Profoundly Significant to the Deaf/HoH Community and Ultimately Motivates More Hearing People to Learn ASL
Anytime members of the Deaf/HoH community discover their language being recognized at an event just like a K-pop concert, it validates their very own identity. It also bolsters their sentiments of inclusivity in the broader society. Hyunjin’s recognition of sign language interpreters at his band’s concert really helps to bridge the gap amongst the hearing and Deaf/HoH communities as well as their respected cultures.

To build a far greater link between the hearing and Deaf/HoH communities, it’s vital that a lot more people learn to be familiar with sign language. If you opt to do so yourself, it's actually an easy task to learn ASL online or even in person via a plethora of educational sources just like Start ASL.

Husband Rejected to Translate and It Demonstrates How Important it is to Learn ASL

One of the more fulfilling facets of human existence is the ability to correspond with other individuals by means of language. And being in a position to communicate with others in their own language is a incredible gift. Inside of their personal and professional lives, bilingual people possess the distinct advantage of connecting with a wider array of individuals compared to monolingual people.

Even so, for a few people learning an additional language is viewed as a burden because of their currently busy personal or professional daily schedules. Or perhaps, they might be uninterested in broadening their social network to add in individuals of varied communities and backgrounds. This is the circumstance for a woman that refuses to learn American Sign language (ASL) to converse with her Hard of hearing father-in-law, despite the appeals of her husband, who’s fluent in the language. (Story shared by Redditor Pretend_Dragonfly_68 on “Am I the A******? (AITA) subReddit)

Because his father is Deaf, the husband knows how to communicate in ASL since he was younger. Even though he and his wife stops by to visit his father two times a month, she's in no way displayed an interest in learning ASL. And so instead of using ASL with her father-in-law, the lady continually has the husband translate for her. After many years of this process, the man is becoming more and more frustrated with his wife’s refusal to learn ASL and has now taken decisive motion to show his displeasure - refuses to translate whenever his wife is in the room.
The reality that the wife wants regular ASL interpretation and will not make the effort to learn the language has resulted in unnecessary friction within the marriage. This issue can easily be resolved if she purposely learn ASL online or by means of in-person lessons. To avoid this type of situation, the wife ought to modify her way of thinking and make the effort to learn ASL. Aside from being crucial to the success of any married couple, understanding how to convey one’s thoughts and feelings is also crucial for dealing with each other’s family members who are Deaf or Hard of hearing. Fluency in ASL is the the factor in inclusivity within the family, just as it is in the more expansive population.

As with the example shown above, a language barrier can certainly arise when just one party knows a specific language, in this case, ASL, to communicate with the extended family. This, in turn, can lead to arguments or stresses and quite often a communication meltdown between the couple in a marital relationship. In addition, this kind of failure to communicate usually leads to unhealthy behavior patterns in which the partners relate to each other in an extremely unkind and unsuccessful direction.

Here are a few great reasons why partners need to learn ASL:

1. A couple that handles effective communication results in a remarkably cheerful household.

2. Eloquence in ASL can help married couples communicate with more people within their family group.

3. Spending some time with each other utilizing ASL is definitely an inspiring bonding experience for adults and children, both Deaf and hearing alike.

4. For the family members of a D/HoH person, learning & using ASL can help to build bridges of communication and trust that can last a life time.

Learning ASL online is quite simple, making learning fun & quick for partners.

Ways ‘Craig of the Creek’ Will Inspire Everyone, Even Kids, to Learn ASL Online

Cartoon Network (CN), a cable television channel belonging to Warner Bros. Discovery. Featured Craig of the Creek, an Emmy, GLAAD, and Annie-nominated animated TV series.

During the episode named “The Champion’s Hike,” the main character Craig visits his Deaf friend Jackie’s house right before heading off to investigate a waterfall. The particular scene features Jackie interacting with his father in Black American Sign Language (BASL) as he is exiting the family house to explore the waterfall with Craig.

This interaction in BASL is a representational development for Craig of the Creek and for children’s TV shows. Jackie and his father are among the initial users of BASL to be displayed on kids’ TV. Utilized in Black Deaf communities across the US, BASL is a special kind of ASL marked by features which include the signers’ body language and facial expressions. Aside from utilizing a larger space for signing, BASL users also use more two-handed signs and include African-American English slang within their exchanges.

While working on an episode of Craig of the Creek named “Dodgy Decisions,” where Craig and Jackie are captains of opposing dodgeball teams, character designer Nick Winn suggested that Jackie could possibly be Deaf or Hard of Hearing. As Winn declares, “I just really liked Jackie. I liked that he was one of the silent champions [and] he was anonymous. We hadn’t really heard him speak.”

Having seen an internet video of an individual teaching sign language, Winn thought of having Jackie utilize sign language on the show. This concept was fascinating to the series creators as it offered the opportunity to explore why Jackie was generally quiet, as well as the opportunity to help make the show more inclusive of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Advantages of Learning ASL Online to Deaf/HoH and Hearing Children
“The Champion’s Hike” episode of Craig of the Creek additionally illustrates the importance of having hearing children learn ASL. This can assist them interact more effectively with their Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HoH) friends and classmates. These kids can feel more fully incorporated into their particular peer groupings. Being allowed to be a part of the conversation in school and also on the play ground helps Deaf/HoH kids develop academically and socially quicker.

Using ASL to communicate can be an eye-opening experience for hearing children. It can help them build a much deeper connection with varied groups of people, therefore enhancing their cultural understanding and expanding their social network.

How Can Children Learn ASL Online in an Enjoyable and Versatile Approach?
Since learning and ultizing ASL offers children a great number of opportunities to expand their horizons, more and more families are searching for ASL instruction solutions.

A very popular approach is to learn ASL online thru resources such as StartASL.com, which can be more entertaining and simpler for youngsters than learning by following along with an in-person instructor. Online ASL learning also has the advantage that it can be accomplished in the comforts of the family home and be adjusted to satisfy the demands of busy school and household daily activities.

Megan Thee Stallion’s Sign Language Interpreter Motivates People to Learn ASL

Need one more reason to learn ASL? Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s 2020 track “WAP” is definitely an irrefutable success that has generated shock waves across the entertainment industry with its racy lyrics and visuals. On July 2021, an interpreter named Kelly Kurdi has gone viral soon after interpreting the astounding song in American Sign Language (ASL) to accompany rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s overall performance.

Kelly’s ASL presentation took place during Megan’s Lollapalooza set. Lollapalooza is a four-day music festival held each year in Chicago’s Grant Park. Megan Thee Stallion’s rendition of WAP at the festivity also has gone viral. However, the individual who stole the show that day was Kelly, the interpreter, that signed the song’s lyrics with great emotion and swiftness. Since then, she's become a national and international sensation through massive social media and TV exposure.

Kelly Kurdi: Promoter of ASL Instruction and Learning ASL
Kelly is a freelance ASL interpreter who resides within the Greater Houston, Texas, area. As of now, she's got well over 71,000 followers on Instagram. Even though Kelly doesn’t teach sign language herself, she vigorously promotes individuals who do. Kelly furthermore belongs to a team of ASL music interpreters called Amber Galloway Gallego’s Music Family. Collectively, the group has appeared on MTV, Jimmy Kimmel Live, CNN, and many other famous channels and shows.

Music Interpreting is Kelly’s Area of Expertise
Kelly is a co-founder of ASL Music Camp, which strives to “train Deaf, Hard-of-hearing, and hearing interpreters to end up being professionals in the field of music interpreting.” The camp was developed by Kelly and fellow music interpreters Rocco Lauricella and Amber Galloway Gallego, in conjunction with a Deaf videographer and graphic designer. Inside the camp, the interpreters work with a team of Deaf artists, which is a good way to learn ASL quickly.

Kelly is an Advocate for Learning ASL, Teaching ASL, and Interpreting ASL
Even though she doesn’t teach sign language herself, Kelly utilizes her social network influence within a significant number of fans to promote people who do.

The volume of her social media followers keeps growing everyday. And Kelly keeps on dedicating her content to many people eager to learn ASL and other ASL interpreters who have created change for the Deaf community. The moment Kelly’s performance has gone popular on TikTok, everyone was impressed at the amount of work that goes into interpreting an exilerating and high-energy show like Megan Thee Stallion’s set at Lollapalooza.

Guilherme Vital Senise da Silva, the audience member who took the viral video, hopes that people can see Kelly’s performance as a good stepping-stone to significantly learn ASL as well as the culture that encompasses it. On her own social media accounts, Kelly acknowledges her new supporters and inspires them to take a look at many other online influencers who post for and about the Deaf community and, of course, take the time to learn ASL at the soonest possible time.

ASL Interpreters at Concerts Have Advantages
Globally, music binds communities together simply because it conveys fundamental tales, educates about emotional intelligence, and reinforces a sense of camaraderie. A lot of people are informed about signing from events like the Super Bowl, wherein a sign language interpreter can be seen carrying out the US national anthem accompanied by a pop star. At such moments, Deaf viewers might be able to more fully identify with the tunes being conducted and feel more included than if no interpreter were present. As sign language music videos gets bigger on YouTube, they spark feedback from Deaf individuals, allowing a more expansive audience to learn ASL.

Also, when an ASL interpreter performs at a musical event, all the audience members, which include the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing, are ensured to experience a great time. Finally, the presence of interpreters helps to cultivate a sensation of inclusivity for all concert attendees. This relates to one of music’s fundamental functions - boosting the feeling of camaraderie while at the same time inspiring the hearing to learn ASL.

Marvel Character Shang-chi Makes a Guest’s Day by Signing American Sign Language at Disneyland Resort

During Disneyland’s big launch on July 17, 1955, founding father Walt Disney proclaimed, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome!” Ever since Mr. Disney proclaimed his announcement, it has ended up being a directing guideline for Disney parks all over the world. Like Disney Chairman Josh D’Amaro says, “Walt Disney spoke these words during the dedication of the Disneyland Resort. More than 65 years later, they continue to inspire us - and remind us that the magic we make must include everyone.”

Lately, an actor representing the Marvel super hero Shang-chi at Disney California Adventure’s Avengers Campus sets the company’s inclusivity key directly into practice. The particular Avengers Campus is an area with a Marvel Cinematic Universe design. The actor demonstrated that regardless of your background or just how diversely abled you may be, you are always agreed on as an equal at a Disney theme park.

Shang-chi belongs to the expanding variety of Heroic Encounters that attendees exploring the Disneyland Resort can experience directly. Shang-Chi is also one of the most recent and well-known inclusions in the Marvel super heroes lineup. Therefore the character is definitely present at Disney California Adventure, getting together with attendees.

Sometime in September 2022, Shang-Chi was roaming around the Avengers Campus when he met a guest identified as Lili Jae. Lili is a young model and actor from Los Angeles who has appeared in movies and plays roles which include Sister Act at Stage Door Repertory Theater in Anaheim Hills, CA.

Lili is also deaf, and the Shang-chi actor amazed her by starting a conversation in American Sign Language (ASL). The touching exchange occurred in front of the Avengers Campus’ Pym Kitchen restaurant.

As it occurred, the touching event was recorded by a park guests nearby. The recording was then distributed to a global audience via TikTok as well as placed on YouTube by Good Morning America.

The Interaction Shows Disney Magic in Action
The discussion begins with Lili telling Shang-chi in ASL that she likes the arm rings he’s wearing as a part of his superhero outfit. Shang-chi then signs, “Thank you! It’s nice to meet you.” The Shang-chi actor after that describes learning ASL because of his father’s influence, stating, “Sorry, my dad wants me to learn sign language,” and further adds, “It’s been a long time since I practiced.”

So, Lili openly asks the Avenger if he is discovering various languages and if so, which language is his favorite. He then replies, “ASL” and she then signs, “I like. Me too.” The entire conversation is subtitled for the useful benefit of those viewers who don’t understand ASL.

It's a cheering moment from a Deaf visitor and a Marvel action hero and signifies a clear case of equal access for an individual who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. As such, the event is in line with Disney’s growing emphasis on the inclusion key of customer service mentioned previously.

This particular incident signifies that the administrators and staff of the Walt Disney Company are working very hard to make sure their theme parks accommodate attendees coming from all backgrounds and abilities. In fact, another Disney policy additionally reflects the company’s inclusive method of servicing guest visitors. Visitors at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World now have year-round access to sign language interpreters which enables them to attend sign language-interpreted shows.

Disney’s Inclusivity Strategy has a Worldwide Effect
Memories like these demonstrate what it’s all about for the Walt Disney Company. It's actually very easy to get lost within the non-stop action and colorful surroundings when visiting Disney theme parks. However, the real wonder of Disney is produced by creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for all the guests, regardless of who they may be or what their circumstance in their life might be.

The special actions by the two actors at the Disneyland Resort help to produce a much better world for the Deaf community. This is because videos of their communications with Deaf visitors were filmed and provided to a global audience via TikTok, Good Morning America, and CBS This Morning. This kind of broad media publicity inevitably helps to spread out awareness of the Deaf population and also the importance of sign language use. It also motivates people

Bride’s Brother-in-law Uses American Sign Language at Her Wedding to Raise Inclusivity

Occasionally, the smallest act of kindness can have the most vital effect on the lives of many people. This has been definitely accurate in the example of Randy Latini, the officiant at his sister-in-law’s August 2022 wedding in Hamilton, New Jersey. Randy incorporated American Sign Language (ASL) throughout the wedding ceremony for the benefit of Deaf flower girl Riley Pacala and her parents. This act had a powerful emotionally charged effect that made the event significantly heart-felt for everyone present.

2-year old Riley was born deaf. But nevertheless, she is learning how to communicate in ASL and uses cochlear implants to uncover fresh strategies to express her thoughts and feelings every single day. Together with her positive attitude and vibrant personality, Riley gives delight and enthusiasm to every one around her. So, Christina’s brother Brian Regan and his fiancée Jamie Kehoe was confident that Riley would make the ideal flower girl with regards to approaching wedding event.

Then, as a surprise, the bride’s brother-in-law Randy privately learned ASL to convey the couple’s wedding vows by signing at the wedding ceremony. Randy wanted to help to make everybody in his brand new expanded family feel right at home at the wedding, including Riley.

Randy’s considerate act highlighted his enormous love and respect for Riley. Moreover it set a good example of including Deaf people in social events which his loved ones won't ever forget about.

Randy Secretly Learned ASL to Help Make the Wedding more Inclusive
Randy, who's wedded to Jamie Kehoe’s sister, learned ASL right after getting in contact with an educator of the Deaf at the school where he works. Then he spent the next two months understanding the language. “I sent her what I wanted to say and she sent me a video showing how to sign those phrases,” he said. “After that, I just had to practice.”

Even if Riley is simply too young to totally understand Randy’s considerate notion, it meant the world to her parents. “It was Randy’s way of saying, ‘Riley is a member of our family and she uses sign language to communicate, so we will too,’” explained Christina in a Today show interview. “He was sending a message about inclusivity.” Among the phrases that Randy signed at the wedding was “Families that learn together grow together.”

Deaf Inclusion at Events such as Weddings is Important
Including individuals with handicaps like the Deaf and Hard of Hearing signifies giving them physical, social, and economic access to the similar opportunities as those enjoyed by individuals with no handicap. This is certainly accomplished by means of customized accommodations.

Consider the Varied Needs of Deaf/HOH Community Members
Individuals of the Deaf/HOH population are not all alike. For example, many use sign language as a main communication approach, whereas other people may use assistive devices like cochlear implants, hearing aids, accessible telephones, FM systems, or visual alert systems. Hence, it’s crucial that you avoid making assumptions about attendees’ requirements and also to ask beforehand to allow adequate time to accomplish their needs.

When possible, organizers should include individuals from the Deaf/HOH community in the event-planning procedure. Each Deaf/HOH individual's experience differs from the others and has its own unique set of accommodations.

Different Ways to Make a Gathering More Deaf/HOH Inclusive
The following are some tips to help make an affair like a wedding more inclusive for hearing and Deaf/HOH guests .

Microphones
Have mics for the main participants, such as the couple getting married. Everyone who attends likes to hear what’s being said during the speech or toast, and just some who speak are good at projecting their voice.

Sign Language Interpreters
In order to cater to Deaf/HOH individuals at the celebration, have a sign language interpreter for spoken portions such as wedding vows, speeches and toasts, and announcements by DJs or performers.

Captions
If you plan to play a video during the affair, put captions so the Deaf/HOH guests can appreciate the show, too.

Communicate ahead of time
Find out before the affair if any Hard-of-hearing or Deaf guests requiring special accommodations will be going. Then offer them and also their invitees reserved seats in the front row of the venue so they won’t miss a word.

All these simple steps can certainly help make certain that your events are going to be inclusive of all guests and provide the most delightful experience for everyone.

Two Waitresses at a Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Learn Sign Language and Sign ‘Happy Birthday’ to a Young Deaf Boy

Here's a post which could inspire you to learn sign language from a whole new perspective. - At times, individuals who work in jobs that serve the public go above and beyond the call of duty in order to provide their customers with excellent attention and care. One case involves two kind waitresses from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, who made a Hard-of-hearing boy’s fourth birthday a bed that he and his mother won't ever forget.

Young Octavius Mitchell Jr., along with his uncle and his mother, Shatika Dixon, recently frequented a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Murfreesboro to celebrate the boy’s 4th birthday. Octavius has been hard of hearing since birth. While the three were eating dinner, their server Kathryn Marasco noticed that Shatika was using sign language to communicate with her son. Kathryn likewise noticed that the boy was donning a hearing aid. As she said, “I’m sitting there, and I’m watching from a distance, and the mom is signing to the little boy, [and] I noticed he had his hearing aids". She subsequently made a decision to Do something special to make Octavius' special day even more exciting.

When Kathryn realized that it was Octavius’ birthday celebration and that he was hard of hearing, she asked her co-worker Brandie White if she knew the way to say “Happy birthday” in sign language. Brandie said that she didn’t, however like Kathryn, she wanted to help Octavius have an extra bit of fun in his birthday celebration.

Brandie, who studies speech-language pathology and audiology at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, then went to YouTube on her phone to learn sign language for a special phrase for the birthday boy.

Kathryn and Brandie immediately learned all the appropriate hand gestures after researching how to say "Happy birthday" in American Sign Language (ASL). The servers then went up to Octavius' table to show him what they had learned.

Both waitresses not just wished Octavius a happy birthday verbally. They also did it in one particular way that's special to him, thus putting a big smile on the boy’s face and therefore making his mom truly happy. “"Happy birthday," the servers signed in ASL. The gesture left Octavius and his mother speechless. "Everybody thinks we’re crazy when we’re out talking and we’re signing. So it’s really important to me that someone noticed that and picked up on that and made that special just for him, my baby,” Shatika stated.

Being a customer support rep for a local company, Shatika knows firsthand exactly how significant it is to regularly give the utmost in care for customers in all sorts of businesses. This background made her very thankful for Kathryn and Brandie’s unusual act of compassion toward her boy. Shatika went on to say that the interaction with the servers was the first time anyone other than her and Octavius' teacher had used sign language with him.

The Benefits of Hearing People Learning and Ultizing ASL
Like in the case of Octavius, communicating with Deaf and Hard-of-hearing (HOH) individuals by means of ASL can make them feel good and more fully integrated into the larger (hearing) society. By merely observing people interact with them using their language, the Deaf and HOH population can gain a greater sense of inclusion.

Hearing Individuals Who Sign Can Enhance Customer Relationships
This point of view is shared by Vicki Robinson, a hearing person who has been teaching physics to Deaf university students for over four decades. In reply to the Quora question, “What do Deaf people think about people who aren’t deaf learning sign language?” Vicki said, “I’ll defer to the Deaf Quorans here for the definitive answer. But my experience is that Deaf people appreciate hearing people learning ASL.”

It's Best to be Invited Before Coming into a Deaf Space
Vicki also shares that her daughter’s circumstance involves interacting with Deaf people out in the hearing community. However, each time a hearing person who can do sign language goes into a spot where only Deaf individuals are present, the hearing individual should not think that they’ll be automatically welcomed. This is due to the fact that hearing people do not share Deaf people's life experiences. A good example would be joining a small group of Deaf individuals at a club without a specific invite. Thus, in a Deaf space, it's advisable to never assume that a person is welcomed, even among individuals who one knows very well.

Strictly Come Dancing Performance Prompts a Surge in Google Searches for “Learn Sign Language”

Deaf UK TV professional actor Rose Ayling-Ellis, 2022 winner on the televised British dance contest Strictly Come Dancing, has recently motivated lots of individuals to learn sign language. The actor’s Viennese waltz, performed with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, presented Sign Language choreography to the highly successful BBC show. The presentation was charged with emotion and got an amazing score of 37 out of 40 given by the judges.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing[Photo Credit: BBC/Keiron McCarron]Fans were enthusiastic about the couple’s use of sign language at the start of the performance when Rose and Giovanni signed each other while acting out a scene in which their characters argued. Moreover, their performance seems to have had a favourable impact on many UK viewers’ thoughts about sign language as well as diversity.

Research Revealed Massive Surge in Searches Related to Sign Language
An examination of Google search data for that week the moment Rose and Giovanni presented their sign language-infused waltz was conducted by the gambling website CasinoGrounds.com. The end result stated that UK lookups for the phrase “sign language” expanded by an enormous 488 percent. And lookups for “learn sign language” went up by an amazing 1,011 percent within the 3 hours the moment Strictly Come Dancing was on air.

Regarding these results, a representative for CasinoGrounds.com stated, “This analysis has shown that Rose is really making an impact through her appearance on UK television every weekend.”

Rose’s Definitive Goal was to Boost Public Involvement in Sign Language
While commenting about this data on Strictly Come Dancing’s companion show, It Takes Two, Rose said, “That’s the whole point of why I’m doing this.” Additionally, Rose was amazed once she learned how much internet searches for sign language had rised after her wonderful performance, which has been remarkably praised by fans. At Twitter, Rose wrote, “Thank you so much for all of your interest in learning sign language. I cannot believe the Google search for learning sign language has increased by 488 percent - AMAZING.”

When asked about how it felt to incorporate sign language as a component of the choreography, Rose responded, “I just love to show my language and to incorporate it into the dance. I think it’s very special for me,’ the actor replied, adding, “It’s down to Giovanni, he’s the one who came up with the idea, I didn’t think of it.”

What is the Significance of the Large Surge in Google Searches Triggered by Rose’s Dance?
The particular kind of Google search research done by CasinoGrounds.com offers a different take on exactly what the general public is currently interested in. Comprehending the percent boost in a particular search topic can be quite a valuable tool in understanding the level of rise in fascination shown about that particular subject matter. When it comes to Rose Ayling-Ellis’ work on Strictly Come Dancing, her endeavors to raise people’s attraction to sign language and appreciation of the Deaf community appear to have worked.

Regarding the outcomes of their assessment, the above-mentioned CasinoGrounds.com spokesperson said, “This data not only shows that the British public is taking more of an interest in British Sign Language but are also wanting to actively learn sign language themselves as a result of Rose’s time on Strictly.”

Rose’s inclusion of sign language within the choreography of her waltz brings attention to the increasing representation of the Deaf community on British TV shows along with other entertainment media. Hopefully, not merely will her action present increased self-confidence to Deaf people, but in addition edify people regarding the nature of British Sign Language and the importance of communicating with people in diverse communities.

What Rose’s Performance has Intended to the Deaf Community
Rose Ayling-Ellis’ history-making achievements in becoming the first Deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing plus in winning its glitter ball trophy have meant an enormous deal to the Deaf community. For instance, Jo Rose, a representative for the UK hearing-loss charity Signal highlighted precisely how substantial Ms. Ayling-Ellis’ stint on the show have become for a signifigant amount of individuals.

Together with her interpreter, Jo, an outreach worker for Signal as well as a Deaf sign language signer, explained the Deaf community’s wonderful excitement with regards to having Rose perform on Strictly Come Dancing: “Everyone’s very excited with Rose. It’s the best thing on TV. It shows that there’s no barriers there.” She then further added, “Obviously to see on TV as well, the crew learning some sign language, the presenters, etc., and the Deaf awareness is inspiring the Deaf community to go and try and achieve whatever they can; nothing is impossible.”

Top Reasons To Learn American Sign Language - Coldplay is Employing Interpreters In Order To Make Their Concerts More Accessible to All

In May 2022, the seven-time Grammy Award-winning British rock band Coldplay publicised that they would be making all of their concert events accessible to Deaf and Hard-of-hearing (D/HOH) admirers. To do so, they organized to implement sign language interpreters at each show, together with SUBPACS given out free of charge to D/HOH attendees. SUBPACs are wearable vests which include a sound system and speakers. The units makes it possible to individuals to feel the bass whenever songs are played out by transmitting vibrations on their body.

All the members of Coldplay care greatly about their fans and go all-out to ensure that their live performances are pleasurable for everybody. Chris Martin, lead vocalist, pianist, rhythm guitarist, and co-founder of the group, stated on Instagram that they hope the interpreters and SUBPACs will heighten the concert experience for the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing population.

In addition to a video of concertgoers experiencing and enjoying the band’s music while wearing SUBPACs, Martin wrote, “We want our live shows to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. For our Deaf and Hard-of-hearing guests, we’re proud to provide SUBPACs, in addition to two sign language interpreters at every show.”

He also mentioned that in case D/HOH fans desired to attend a concert featuring the interpreters and SUBPACs, they could email access@coldplay.com. All the fans could additionally give recommendations for making the band’s live shows more accessible and entertaining.

Sign language Interpreters Convey a Whole New Dimension to Coldplay’s Music
A sign language interpreter is an individual who can effectively, precisely, and impartially translate spoken language into sign language after earning knowledge and skills by means of sign language classes.

In the case of concert events like Coldplay’s, sign language interpreters proficiently bring the songs to life for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing audience members. The interpreters use their entire body to show the emotion and feel of the songs. Going to a concert event in which an interpreter is present additionally provides D/HOH people accessibility to the lyrics. Which means the Deaf and Hard of Hearing can better enjoy the music visually and comprehend its meaning. As one concertgoer said, “We can see it. Plus we’re provided the words through the interpreter. So overall, it’s just a different way of viewing and experiencing the music. But we still can enjoy it.”

The concert video includes footage of a remarkably enthusiastic sign language interpreter signing alongside to the band’s famous track “Fix You” at a concert in Scotland. The interpreter also grooves around enthusiastically towards the song’s guitar solo. This action gave the D/HOH crowd an added flavor of the solo’s high-powered quality and the song’s overall level of intensity.

The Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Community Appreciates Coldplay’s Efforts
Longstanding Coldplay fan Mike Rivera, who is hard-of-hearing, applauds the band’s initiatives in order to make their concert events more inclusive and accessible. “All of the accessibility for the community is very exciting,” he states. “Coldplay means a lot to us.”

Rivera’s daughter Kayley concurred, saying, “It’s crazy to be able to enjoy something like this with my dad on the same level my friends can with their dads. And the fact that Coldplay’s spearheading this is just a huge step in the right direction, and that makes me really excited for the future.”

Utilizing Sign Language Interpreters at Concerts is Essential
Many videos displaying the remarkable abilities of sign language interpreters performing at concerts have recently gone viral. All of the interpreters’ talent for visualizing music is providing members of the D/HOH community the ability to take pleasure in live music of all types. And not only are sign language interpreters supplying an essential service, they’re additionally delivering a message and achieving recognition for their performances at rap, pop, heavy metal, and classical music concert events.

A lot of interpreters gets ready for a show by researching the artist or group whose music they’ll interpret to know their history much better. In this manner their interpretations can address the whole sensation and significance regarding the words of the song.

Sign Language Interpreters are Changing the Lives of Concertgoers
About the highly effective impact of sign language interpreters at live shows, American Sign Language interpreter Amber Galloway Gallego says, “My favorite experience is when Deaf people have told me that this was their first time ever truly experiencing music and [they] now have a better understanding of what each instrument sounds like. When I see Deaf and Hard-of hearing-patrons signing the instruments with me, it gives me chills every time.”

The Simpsons Makes History with Deaf Voice Actors and the Use of ASL

Season 33, ep. 17 17 of the hit animated sitcom The Simpsons titled “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” is notable for its use of American Sign Language (ASL) (although the characters only have four fingers), and for its casting of Deaf actor John Autry II to be the voice of the Deaf character Monk. Autry became the first Deaf performer to voice a character on the show because of this role.

The creators additionally deserve credit for aiming to have characters with only four fingers communicate in American Sign Language. This process must have been challenging to animate, which could account for the fact that signing is only featured at the end of the episode. It’s a fairly brief sequence, but it’s also fun to see the characters perform the virtually impossible task of signing while lacking a fifth finger. To ensure the accuracy of the ASL used in the episode, the producers employed two ASL consultants, despite the limitation of The Simpsons characters having just four fingers on each hand.

The Simpsons episode "The Sound of Bleeding Gums" demonstrates that the show's creators are concerned with addressing real-life issues on the show, specially those which affects individuals from different communities like the Deaf. For instance, to voice the Deaf character Monk they picked Deaf actor John Autry II, who gave an exceptional performance. One more notable aspect is the script, which was thoughtfully written by Loni Steele Sosthand, whose sibling was born deaf. Also, details related to Deaf culture were properly presented. And at another point in the episode Monk says to Lisa,I’m not anybody’s cause,” reflecting how Deaf people actually feel. They don't want sympathy or assistance in doing things simply because they can't hear. They believe they can do just about anything a hearing person can.

With CODA winning Best Picture and other awards at the 2022 Oscars, and the airing of “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” on The Simpsons, the Deaf community undoubtedly has a bright future ahead in the entertainment industry, especially in the field of animation. Deaf actor John Autry II is a great source of inspiration for other aspiring Deaf and hard of hearing actors. His ability to land a starring role star on The Simpsons despite his being Deaf is uplifting and encouraging to both the Deaf and hearing populations alike.

To learn more about this story, please watch the video below.

Juliette Gordon Low: Founder of the Girl Scouts and A Deaf Champion Who Would Not Hear “No”

Every year on October 31st, Girl Scouts all over the United States Of America commemorate Founder's Day. The date was selected to commemorate Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low's birthday. Ms. Low, who blazed a trail for many young girls to follow and lived a life of daring, self-assurance, as well as integrity, wouldn't take "No" for an answer when dealing with negativity in her never-ending mission to make Girl Scouts of the USA successful.

Juliette Gordon Low, also known as "Daisy," founded Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912, at a time when women in the US did not yet have the right to vote. Juliette expanded her first troop of 18 young girls into a global organization with nearly 3 million members in 92 countries and more than 59 million alumnae. She pictured the Scouts from the beginning as a movement through which girls could band together, collaborate, communicate their unique attributes, and also realize their goals. Ultimately, as numerous Girl Scouts have done since, she realized her noble vision and made a lasting legacy on the entire world.

Complete Loss Of Hearing Developed Gradually
Ms. Low was born with the ability to hear but started to lose her hearing when she was seventeen. She experienced severe hearing loss at the time she hit her mid-twenties and had frequent health problems including brain fever, earaches, and malaria. When she was 24 years old she caught a serious infection in her right ear. Antibiotics were unknown at that time however Juliette swayed her doctor to try applying the new treatment silver nitrate. Her doctor then used silver nitrate to deal with the infection which caused more damage, and so Juliette lost some of her hearing in that ear.

Later, she became completely deaf in the left ear after a grain of rice got lodged inside her ear during her wedding day on December 21, 1886.

Check out the video below to find out more about Juliette Gordon Low and her legacy.

Hearing Toddler Interprets for Deaf Father Using American Sign Language

Zachary Lotane of Laguna Beach, California, a deaf dad who only interacts in American Sign Language (ASL), was overjoyed to watch his hearing one-year-old daughter sign for him.

Madison, the little child, was waddling down an aisle in a grocery store carrying 2 packages of dish-washing sponges when she dropped them. She quickly showed her father what she was worried about by signing, "Baby crying," and then pointing to the sound she heard, which her dad could not hear. Zachary then mimicked Madison's motion and asked, "Baby crying?" " as she knelt to pick up the sponges she'd dropped.

Zachary uploaded it on TikTok as @oursignedworld. Not only was it a "wow" moment for Zachary Latone, but it was as well a heartwarming one for the many individuals who saw the video. TikTok users around the globe were amazed by the sweetness and also uniqueness of young Madison's great act.

According to Zach, the family's social media posts have likewise influenced numerous users to start learning sign language. A growing number of their followers are signing up for ASL classes at high schools, community colleges, and universities.

Potential Benefits of Utilizing Sign Language with Toddlers

Below are a few of the potential advantages of utilizing sign language to communicate with young kids:

Earlier aptitude at understanding speech, especially from ages 1 to 2
Earlier use of speaking skills, mainly from 1 to 2 years of age
Earlier use of proper sentence structure when speaking
Less crying and whining to convey desires or feelings
Improved parent-child bonding
Increase in IQ level

The good news is that using sign language with your young child has no disadvantages and may have various advantages, according to educational researchers. In short, learning ASL at a young age may aid your daughter or son to better their communication skills whilst advancing in other areas like language acquisition.

Watch how Madison used ASL to interpret for his deaf father in this video:
https://youtu.be/6tpWW-xFvM0

The post Hearing Toddler Interprets for Deaf Dad Using American Sign Language first appeared on Start ASL.

Troy Kotsur Appears on Sesame Street Teaching American Sign Language

Academy Award-winning Deaf actor Troy Kotsur recently appeared in one episode of the classic PBS children’s show ‘Sesame Street” teaching American Sign Language. He was the 2nd Deaf person in history to ever win an Oscar, the first being his co-star in CODA, Marlee Matlin. He was on the show to teach two of the Muppets and also the show’s global audience the regularly featured “Word of the Day” in American Sign Language (ASL). He mentioned to Sesame Street characters Rosita and the Count that he’s Deaf and utilizes ASL to interact with other individuals.

American Sign Language (ASL) is a well-known form of sign language is utilized by Deaf people throughout North America and in other parts of the world as well, such as in Canada. The use of sign language to interact is called signing. ASL uses both manual or hand-based gestures and also movements with other body parts to convey messages.

What is the The Importance of Troy Kotsur’s Appearance on the Show and Teaching ASL for the Deaf Community?
One thing that’s significant about Troy Kotsur’s guest role on Sesame Street is that it merges three different languages - American Sign Language, English, and Spanish - and repeats a number of words. This feature of the signing segment betters viewers’ capability to sign these terms and demonstrates the diverse nature of sign language use.

Watching a Deaf actor doing American Sign Language on Sesame Street, which has a worldwide viewership, can help to fill the void in Deaf representation in the media.

Small Steps toward Improved Awareness and Inclusivity
Such small changes in the global media are powerful simply because they get individuals talking. Hearing people become more mindful of the Deaf, are more exposed to Deaf communities, and start to comprehend a number of the accessibility issues that Deaf people experience every single day.

Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/zw3512ND5lM

The article "Troy Kotsur Appears on Sesame Street Teaching American Sign Language" first appeared on Start ASL.

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A Young Girl Decided to Learn Sign Language so as to Deliver a Tender Message to Her Deaf Delivery Man

Approximately 2 percent of people the United States are deaf or nearly deaf, and many others report that they're struggling with hearing even if they're not completely deaf. Because of these information, plenty of people in both developed and developing countries utilize sign language in order to interact with loved ones as well as to conduct business.

In England, an 8-yr-old girl named Tallulah McLellan, demonstrated a level of empathy and kindness far ahead of her years when she learned sign language to be able to communicate with her deaf neighborhood delivery driver Tim Joseph. Tim delivers packages to her family's house 1-2 times a week. A moving video of the two friends interacting in sign language immediately become popular on social media, as thousands of people were moved by Tallulah’s loving gesture as well as her sweet, innocent relationship with Tim. Tallulah amazed Tim by utilizing sign language to say “Have a good day!” to him. Tim was really touched by the little girl's efforts to learn sign language and also her endearing message. He was quoted saying the morning surprise “made [his] day” and that he was “stunned” when Tallulah signed a message to him. Tim then took the opportunity to teach Tallulah to sign more common phrases, like “Good morning, have a good day,” which she signed back to him on his subsequent delivery to her home.

Their video has since been shared many, many times on the web via social media channels and also inspired many people who saw it to begin learning sign language, thus making Tim extremely glad.

We must all take young Tallulah McLellan as a role model and try to reach out to the deaf people in our everyday lives by means of sign language.

Here are some reasons why sign language is very useful and adaptable:

1. It's Used All over the World
2. It Becomes Incredibly Beneficial in Daily Life
3. Sign Language is Incredible!
4. Readily Available Materials for Learning Sign Language

Want the full story? Check out the video below!
https://youtu.be/eyX8LVHvLAc

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Meteorologist Gets Popular After Using American Sign Language in Her Weather Forecasts

Mikayla Smith, a meteorologist from Oklahoma, is making TV weather forecasting more accessible to a broader audience and in the process is stirring curiosity about meteorology for the future generation of forecasters. She began the program while reporting in the Sherman, Texas area.

Mikayla got her introduction to American Sign Language as a young girl in Rockwall when her mom took special education courses in college and worked as a special education teacher. Throughout her many years of learning ASL, she has become aware of the difficulties that Deaf and hard of hearing individuals face in attemping to be well-informed of breaking news as well as current weather. She is enthusiastic about employing ASL to convey local weather conditions to the D/HoH population.

Videos of Mikayla’s weather reports have easily become viral. She hopes that her signing of weather forecasts will inspire other forecasters to understand and learn sign language. She says she is happy to see the good impact her signed reports have had on the public. She hopes the new signing movement will begin to spread, therefore helping special communities that may not often be able to get a hold of news and weather reports on a regular basis.

As a lot more weather forecasters and others in the news media learn to sign their own reports, they could relate better with the Deaf and hard of hearing and generate a trend of greater inclusiveness for people with different communication needs in the world of information gathering and syndication.

In reaction to the need to better her sign language skills, Mikayla says she’s a little out of practice with her signing however is making sure to do the research needed to become a better D/HoH ally, and in the meantime making enormous strides toward greater accessibility to news and weather reports for everyone.

More about this story here:
https://www.startasl.com/meteorologist-gets-popular-after-using-american-sign-language-in-her-forecasts/

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Where do you start when you want to learn American Sign Language (ASL)?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYw48OCMYKA

When you make the decision to learn ASL, your first thought is probably to jump online and find out where you can learn. Some people use social media, and others look for a course to get them through more than just how to say hello. American Sign Language (ASL) is one of a kind. It is a beautiful visual language. There are so many reasons why you should learn American Sign Language.

1. It is a beautiful and visual language.
2. You can communicate using ASL no matter where you are, in loud or quiet places. Loud places like concerts or clubs and quiet places like the library or during a play.
3. You can communicate from afar or through windows.
4. You can communicate with Deaf people.
5. It is another foreign language to know.

It is definitely worth learning. It’s a beautiful language to learn and fun. ASL is unique since it cannot be written. There are a lot of benefits when it comes to signing and it bridges the gap between the hearing and Deaf communities. Babies and people with speech disabilities also benefit from learning ASL. ASL is especially awesome and beautiful in the arts–look at DeafWest.org for example.

Remember, it is not just about brushing up on your ASL skills, but also to keep in mind that ASL is not just a language. It is a language that has its own grammar and sentence structure, slangs and phrases, as well as culture and history. You can learn ASL again by taking courses with Start ASL. We offer two packages, a Silver and a Gold package. Both of these packages include

- Our Advanced Online Classroom with Interactive Activities, Grading, and Progress Tracking
- Don’t Just “Sign”… Communicate! PDF Textbooks Included
- Certification of Completion for each course level
- Our exclusive LIVE Virtual Practice Events
- Exclusive Community Group Membership
- Start ASL Instructor Support With Curriculum and ASL questions
- Instructor Written Feedback on your signing assignments

and the Gold package offers more features than what is listed above:

- Instructor Video Feedback on your signing assignments
- Virtual Office Hours with Instructor
- Priority Email Support
- Verified Completion Certificates and Grade Reports*
- Bonus DJSC! A Student’s Guide to the Deaf Experience and DJSC! A Students Guide to Deaf Community Terminology PDF E-books
- Bonus Vocabulary Study Sheets, Worksheets, and Sentence Practice Worksheets
- Bonus Anki Digital Vocabulary Flashcards

Start ASL also offers offline course, teacher’s package, and homeschool package.

Here are the Top 10 & 20 signs to help you refresh your memories.

Tip: If the video seems fast, there is a list of videos for each sign. Once you feel comfortable, come back to the video to review what you’ve learned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_FFnaBc_VI

TOP TEN SIGNS

1. HELLO
2. HOW ARE YOU?
3. NICE TO MEET YOU
4. WHAT YOUR NAME?
5. MY NAME IS KATELYN
6. THANK YOU
7. DEAF
8. HEARING
9. HARD OF HEARING
10. GOOD-BYE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeNkC4jAZBg

TOP TWENTY FIVE SIGNS

1. HELLO
2. HOW ARE YOU?
3. NICE TO MEET YOU
4. WHAT YOUR NAME?
5. MY NAME IS KATELYN
6. THANK YOU
7. DEAF
8. HEARING
9. HARD OF HEARING
10. GOOD-BYE
11. SEE YOU LATER
12. SEE YOU TOMORROW
13. MY SIGN NAME IS…
14. PLEASE
15. SORRY
16. GOOD
17. FINE
18. BAD
19. EXCUSE ME
20. GOOD MORNING
21. GOOD NIGHT
22. HUNGRY
23. TIRED
24. HELP
25. BUSY

Here are a couple tips to keep in mind when learning American Sign Language. First of all, ASL has 5 parameters and they are: handshape, palm orientation, location, movement, and non-manual markers/signals.

Handshape: This refers to the hand configuration which is used in the beginning of any word production in ASL. There are common handshapes such as 1 and D, 2 and V, 9 and F that are usually misinterpreted; therefore people will use the context to help them better interpret the sign that has the same handshape. Here are three examples of handshapes: “c” as in class, open “a” as in behind, bent “v” as in squirrel.

Palm Orientation: This refers to the direction in which the hand is turned to produce a sign. Palm orientation includes palm up, palm down, palm right, palm left, palm outward (away from you), palm inward (palm facing you). Here some examples of signs with different palm orientation: school, clean, paper.

Location: This refers to the location of where the signs are produced. The general physical parameters (signing space) for sign language production are approximately four inches above the head, elbow room as with hands on the waist, and about four inches below the belly button or belt buckle. The 3 example signs of location that changes meaning are summer, ugly, and dry. There are signs that remain the same location but have different handshapes such as restaurant and single.

Movement: This refers to changing of the location of the hands when signing. For example, when signing give, you can sign give away from you towards the person you are signing with. This indicates that I am giving you something. On the other hand, if I am signing give away from you towards me, then that indicates you are giving me something. Movement can also refer to the frequency of an action. For example, again, if signed repeatedly multiple times, then this means “over and over”.

Non-Manual Markers/Signals (NMM or NMS): These are signals or gestures done without the use of hands. The signals or gestures is demonstrated mostly from the shoulders, head, and face to relay a message. Specific NMM or NMS alter the meaning of a sign. Facial expressions or body language such as head nods, shakes, eyebrows, nose, eyes, and lips fall under this category and carry a meaning that are attached to a sign.

The second tip to when learning ASL is that some handshapes movement can come off the wrong way or convey a different meaning, so be careful and learn the correct way to sign a word. This is usually common for beginner signers and that is okay, but it is good to keep in mind!

Learning ASL is not just learning by the books. A lot of it comes from social interactions with other Deaf people. Start ASL also has a list of Deaf events you can attend to. Social interactions give you the real world use of ASL and what I mean by that is you will learn how people use slangs, talk with each other, use of behavioral movements and facial expressions. In addition, by immersing yourself at Deaf socials, it is where you can easily practice your sign language. Start ASL promotes many Deaf events from all over US, you can find the events here.

Sign language is not hard, it takes time, patience, and practice. It can be frustrating at first, but really it is a lot of muscle memory and once you sign again and again, it becomes easier.

Here are tips when it comes to learning ASL.

1. Similarly to any other languages, learning ASL takes time to learn. It may be easy for some people and more challenging for others. It is a matter of practicing and being brave to attend Deaf socials.
2. Before you attend Deaf socials, be sure to read and familiarize yourself about the Deaf community and Deaf culture. This information is important because when you attend Deaf socials, there are things that you can and cannot do, so it would be good to know ahead of time. Of course, you will learn a lot more when you actually attend socials.
3. Understand the cultural differences but also recognize the common body language and behavior. For instance, D/deaf people are very direct and expressive, so it can come off a bit awkward being around an expressive 18+ type of talk, but that is normal in the Deaf community.
4. When you attend Deaf socials, even if you are a beginner and barely know signs, it is respectful to turn your voice off when possible.
5. Attend Deaf socials, meet D/deaf friends, and hang out with them. That is the only way you will improve your signing.
6. Also, having a D/deaf friend is beneficial because this will push you really use your signing and help you understand the life of a D/deaf person, the culture, and the community.
7. Even if you do not know a lot, you create ASL cover videos. You can simply go on Youtube to learn someone signing to a song, and film yourself signing to the song or poem or joke or story. You will be surprise how far you have improved with your signing when you become fluent. This is also a fun way to utilize your signing and stay engaged with your learning process.
8. Remember that facial expressions and body language are crucial.
9. There are signs that have reasons behind them.
10. It is okay to finger spell if you do not know the sign.
11. Be mindful that there are multiple signs for a single word. So, if you learned the sign one way and someone else teaches you another sign for that same word, it could be based on where the person is from because there is such thing as regional signs.
12. Learn to sign the phrase “How do I sign … ?”
13. Learn the 5 parameters of a sign. Then you can use those parameters to write a definition for a sign to remember them. For example, HAPPY (write the parameters for this one).
14. Think of one sign that you use to help you with noun and verb movement. My one sign I use all the time is CHAIR and SIT. CHAIR has two movements, while SIT is the action to sit down. For me this helped to translate to other noun and verb signs.
15. When you are learning signs, if there is an opposite, learn one version, then bring in the second sign to remember it. One example o-f this is mom and dad. Mom and female signs are near the chin, while dad and male assigned signs like brother start at the forehead.
16. Fingerspelling is rough for non-native signers. Practice your fingerspelling clear and not always for speed.
17. Practice signing into a mirror or camera. A camera is nice because you can watch it later to make sure the signs were executed correctly.
18. D/deaf people are very animated and outgoing, so don’t be shy to join the conversation and converse with D/deaf people.
19. It is okay to be nervous at first. D/deaf people are very friendly and patient.
20. Be mindful that D/deaf people cannot hear, so do not try calling them. Do either go up to them, tap them on the shoulder, or find other appropriate ways to get their attention.
21. Do not try to be a perfect signer. It you make a mistake, brush it off. D/deaf people are open to correcting you, so you know the correct sign for next time.
22. Be open to corrections so you can become a better signer.
23. When signing, relax.
24. Be focused and maintain constant eye contact with the person you are talking to. It is considered rude to look at your phone, glance away, or walk away while the D/deaf person is talking to you. It shows that you are not paying attention or do not care about conversation or the person you are speaking with.
25. Don’t worry about not understanding everything. You will pick up as you go. It takes time and patiences to absorb new signs especially if you are seeing the signs in real life conversations.
26. It is okay to ask the person to slow down their signing or finger spelling if they are too fast.
27. Don’t get discouraged if one day you are doing well but then the next day you are not doing so well. It takes time to learn a new language.
28. Many D/deaf people will ask you why are you learning ASL, so think of a good answer that inspired you to learn ASL. It can just simply be that, “ASL is a beautiful language and you want to learn it.”
29. Set goals for yourself and keep track of your progress. This will help you see how you are doing in your learning process.

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Can Artificial Intelligence Learn American Sign Language?

It'd be so fascinating if artificial intelligence (AI) could learn American Sign Language. However, is it even doable? Well, one student in India named Priyanjali Gupta built an AI model that was capable of translating American Sign Language into English in real-time. Gupta’s AI model was inspired by a data scientist Nicholas Renotte’s video on Real-Time Sign Language Detection. According to an Inquirer.net article, “She invented the AI model using Tensorflow object detection API that translates hand gestures using transfer learning from a pre-trained model named ssd_mobilenet.” When Gupta signed basic signs like Hello, I Love You, Thank You, Please, Yes, and No, the AI was able to translate these basic phrases to English.

Is Learning American Sign Language From an AI A Good Choice?

Technology is evolving, and people are able to e complex inventions. While it's amazing that people create inventions like AIs that can translate ASL to English hoping to bridge the communication gap between the Deaf and hearing people, it's probably not ideal and practical to learn ASL from AIs for several reasons.

1) AI is quite limited.
As stated, American Sign Language isn't only about interacting with the hands but also includes facial expressions and body movements. The facial expressions can mean different things when signing. For instance, “raised or lowered eyebrows” are used depending on what questions are being asked. “Raised eyebrows” often show that the questions are a yes or no type of question. Meanwhile, “lowered eyebrows” questions often show questions demanding a response. Body movements include moving when referring to a dialogue of different speakers in a conversation, or demonstrations of timid versus proud, etc.. You must look at the person’s face and the entire body, so that you can get the full input of both facial expressions and the body language. A lot of people prefer to learn American Sign Language virtually or in person, where they can experience the entire body, including the signer’s signing, body movements, and facial expressions.

2) AI won't be able to respond to questions
When someone is learning a new language, he/she will most likely have a lot of questions to ask about the language structure itself. Unless of course the AI is programmed with a lot of knowledge about the linguistics of ASL, the key aspects of Deaf culture, and is consistently immersed within the Deaf community, it would be not possible to answer most questions properly. The real world is constantly changing, and individuals, as well as their language, conform to the changes. New signs are constantly being developed to this day. AI wouldn't be able to carry on with those changes; therefore would quickly be loaded with outdated info. The AI would consist of superficial knowledge, which simply demonstrates the simple signs, and those signs are translated to English.

3) AI won't be able to translate the significance of facial expressions, body language, ASL grammar, and even sentence structure, nor main facets of the Deaf culture and Deaf community.
ASL is an expressive language, and facial expressions and body language are vital when signing. Facial expressions and body language can alter the message of a story. ASL’s grammar as well as syntax are not the same as in English. For instance, the right sentence structure in English is, “I am going to the store,” but in ASL, the sentence changes to, “Store I go.” The individual who programs the AI is most likely not Deaf; and so, the program could easily convey wrong ASL.

4) AI does not have the day-to-day real-life experience
It's still a long way to go for AI before it even comes close to replicating a real person’s knowledge. It is not even able to recognize most precise signs or signer’s styles. In order for someone to become proficient in ASL, the top methods are to watch slow-motion ASL video classes, exclusive one-on-one lessons, go to Deaf socials and communicate with Deaf people. You can certainly learn much from real-life conversations when it comes to how ASL is being used into day to day life.

5) A conversation with AI feels unrealistic and unauthentic.
Artificial Intelligence is extremely robotic and does not sign as fast or as easily as a real person can. A real person’s expressions are also a lot more animated than any known AI, which makes the conversation much more personal and also heart-felt. It will always be highly recommended that the beginner signers interact with Deaf people in real-life interactions.

To conclude, it's wonderful that individuals are creating new forms of AI that help fix the communication gap between Deaf and hearing people. However, ASL, the Deaf culture, and the Deaf community hold a great deal of history and significance. Lots of Deaf people feel that AI would just take away the key value of both their language and culture. If AI teaches ASL, the language can be incorrectly modified and stray away from the real ASL structure, and Deaf people definitely like to keep that from happening.

In the end, AI wouldn't make communication between Deaf and hearing people better or simpler. The best solution to this problem is for hearing individuals to learn American Sign Language either online or in person from a real Deaf teacher. The moment more hearing people start learning true American Sign Language, it will make Deaf people’s lives and communication much easier.

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