Sign language is an integral part of the deaf community; there would not be deaf culture without sign language. Many hearing people want to learn sign language. It is possible to tell stories and poetry in sign language. Hearing parents use sign language with hearing babies. Plus, sign language is used to teach deaf and hearing children.
Learning Sign Language
For those who are just starting to learn sign language, classes and other learning resources are available.It is possible to learn sign language in high school and get foreign language credit. Learning usually starts with the sign language alphabet. After learning sign language, many people take jobs that use their newly learned sign language skills.
In addition, everyone has their own sign language learning experience. Plus, some people in the culturally deaf community struggle with their attitudes toward hearing people learning sign language. Finally, some parents will not learn sign language even if their deaf child depends on it.
Sign Language Learning Resources
- Fingerspelling (See also Learn Sign Alphabet)
- Sign Language Books
- Sign Language Classes
- Sign Language Dictionaries Online See also Sign Language Word Reference Guide
- Sign Language Facts
- Teaching Homeschoolers Sign Language
- Discovering Sign Language
- Nonsigning Parents
- Popularity of Sign Language
- Why Should I Learn Sign Language
Mini Sign Language Guides
Sometimes you want to know the signs for specific vocabulary such as words associated with Christmas. Here are mini sign language guides for common topics such as animals and colors.Every Day Signs
- Animals
- Appliances and Furniture
- Body Signs
- Clothing Signs
- Colors
- Crime
- Days of the Week
- Family Signs
- Food Signs
- Health Signs
- Medical Sign Language
- Numbers
- Religious Sign Language
- School Signs
- Sex Signs
- Technical Signs
Fun with Sign Language
One popular thing to do with sign language is translate songs. You can buy things with sign language themes, play games, and do puzzles.- ASL Classifiers- In sign language, ASL classifiers are similar to pronouns in English.
- Christmas Songs and Carols in Sign Language. See also Songs and Pledges in Sign Language.
- Christmas Spirit in ASL
- Sign Language Clip Art. See also Sign Language Fonts.
- Sign Language Gifts
- Sign Language Puzzles and Games
- Signing Games
- Signing Suppers
- Signwriting
Sign Language in Deaf Culture
Sign language is a central part of deaf culture. It is used in stories and poetry, and deaf people create unique sign names.Baby Sign Language
Using sign language with babies reduces communication frustration (such as meltdowns) and may improve a baby's IQ slightly. Young children can continue using sign language.- Baby Signing. See also Start Baby Signing.
- Baby Sign Language Books
- Baby Sign Language DVDs
- Graduating From Baby Signing
- Nursery Rhymes in Sign Language
Sign Language in Education
Sign language plays an important role in educating deaf and hard of hearing children who are being taught with the help of sign language. There are various forms of sign language and education. Bilingual bicultural education uses ASL to teach English, the idea being that if a deaf child is strong in one language, he will be able to learn another. Total communication involves using both sign language and speech. Pidgin signed English, perhaps the most common form of sign language in use, mixes ASL with English. Then there is a straight English form of sign language. Finally, there actually was a time in deaf history when sign language was largely forbidden in deaf education.- Bilingual-Bicultural Education
- Does ASL Teach English?
- Milan 1880 - When Sign Language Was Forbidden in Deaf Education
- Pidgin Sign English
- Signing Exact English
- Total Communication
International Sign Language
Every country has its own form of sign language, with a few exceptions (American Sign Language, or a close form of it, is used in some foreign countries). About.com has covered some international sign languages, and articles about international deaf communities also include information about that country's sign language.International Sign Language Articles
International Deaf Communities Articles
Sign Language Miscellaneous
Sign language teaching is a respected profession. Students practice sign language in clubs. Many "hearing" hand gestures resemble ASL signs. Sign language has its own grammar and syntax. There was a signing Barbie doll. Hearing people who can not talk use sign language. The I Love You handshape is instantly recognizable. Sign language has appeared in TV commercials. Even American Indians had their own sign language.- Common Hand Gestures and ASL - Many hand gestures commonly used in society are similar to signs.
- History of Sign Language - How did sign language come to be?
- I Love You Handshape - One of the most recognized signs is the I Love You handshape.
- Indian Sign Language - American Indians had their own sign languages.
- New Signs - About.com readers share new signs.
- Nonverbal Sign Language Users - Not everyone who uses sign language is deaf.
- Profile of William C. Stokoe, Jr. - Learn about the man considered the "father" of American Sign Language.
- Signing Animals - Chimpanzees and gorillas have learned sign language.
- Sign Language Barbie - There was a Barbie doll that used sign language.
- Sign Language Clubs - Students can practice their sign language skills by joining sign language clubs.
- Sign Language Linguistics - Sign language has its own grammar and syntax.
- Sign Language Relationships - About.com readers share how learning or using sign language has helped - or hurt - their relationships.
- Sign Language Teachers - Sign language teaching is a respected profession with its own organization.
- Signed TV Commercials - Many television commercials in history have featured sign language.