American Sign language (ASL) is a beautiful expressive language. It is a visual gestural language, a language all its own with its own grammar and word order. Learning the signed alphabet called fingerspelling is a simple way to begin. One can describe sign language as a moving poetic language, a language of expressively writing words in the air.
Up until recently, signing had to be taught in person or using expensive video conferencing equipment. Now with the advent of desktop video conferencing, signing can be taught inexpensively to students right in their own home using their computer and the Internet.
Sign language is offered in many schools and Universities as an accredited foreign language. The field of working in signing is an open one because there is a growing need for sign language interpreters. The job pays well and there are many different work settings to choose from. It is used in schools to make learning more accessible for deaf and hard of hearing children. (In elementary educational settings most signing is closer to English word order.) Sign language is used in medical, legal, religious, business, and many other settings where deaf persons need accessibility in communication. It is also used in video relay service which enables Deaf and hard of hearing persons to use and interpreter to make visual phone calls to hearing persons through high speed internet connections and a video phone.
This is the language by which we can easily communicate with the deaf or speechless person. Learning this language is not doing them a favor but it is a favor to us. With the help of this language we can easily communicate with them and this will make us feel comfortable while we are speaking to them.
Sign language is not a universal language. Most countries have their own version of language. For example, British signing is very different from American signing. Some countries such as Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico use American Sign Language
Signing seems to accelerate cognitive development, with one study showing an increase in IQ of between 8 and 13 points for children who learned to sign versus those who didn't. The difference was still evident when the children were tested years later. Other studies have shown that this language can benefit special needs children in remarkable ways, helping accelerate speech in autistic children.
Desktop video conferencing has been perfected to where students can see the teacher's hands very clearly and they can learn the language easily. Desktop video conferencing uses the student's and teacher's laptop webcams and the Internet to connect to each other. The teacher can also speak with the student and relate how each sign is made and then demonstrate each sign.
Learning sign language is a beautiful experience and a rewarding one in many ways. Now with the advent of new technologies such as desktop video conferencing, students can become proficient in signing skills and never have to leave their home.
Another benefit of learning American Sign Language is the ability to learn about another culture. In the United States alone, there are a plethora of cultures. Deaf culture is one which very few people are familiar with. Have you ever wondered how a deaf person answers the phone? How do deaf individuals know when there is a knock at the door? How do they wake up in the morning for work? Has it ever occurred to you how a deaf person communicates with those who are hearing? For the most part, learning another language also requires you to learn about the culture as well. Deaf culture has a rich heritage, and it reflects tremendous pride. Deaf people function the same way a hearing person would, except with some accommodations made for their inability to hear. Some of these accommodations might include a specialized door knocker, which triggers a flashing light that alerts the deaf person. The same concept might be used to warn of an incoming telephone call. How does a deaf individual "talk" on the phone if they can't hear? Well, technology has provided some much needed accommodations that make the lives of deaf citizens much easier compared to what was available in years past. Before the advent of the TTY, deaf people had to drive to the pizzeria to place the food order, then return to the vehicle and wait until the pizza is ready, and then drive home. Thankfully, those inconveniences are a thing of the past.
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