Learning Sign Language
When just starting to learn sign language, there are classes available, and other learning resources. Sometimes it is possible to learn sign language in high school and get foreign language credit for it. Learning usually starts with the sign language alphabet, then moves on to more advanced levels. After learning sign language, many people opt to take jobs that allow them to use sign language.In addition, everyone has their own unique sign language learning experience. Plus, some people in the culturally deaf community struggle with their attitude about hearing people learning sign language. Finally, there are some parents who will not learn sign language even if their deaf child depends on it to learn and communicate.
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
- ASL as a Foreign Language
- Careers Involving Sign Language
- Deaf Attitudes, Hearing Learning Sign
- Discovering Sign Language
- Nonsigning Parents
- Popularity of Sign Language
- Why Should I Learn Sign Language
Mini Sign Language Guides
Sometimes you are short of time, and just need to know the signs for something specific, like a holiday. Here are mini sign language guides for the vocabulary to common topics, such as colors.Every Day Signs
- Animals
- Appliances and Furniture
- Body Signs
- Clothing Signs
- Colors
- Crime
- Days of the Week
- Family Signs
- Food Signs
- Medical Sign Language
- Numbers
- Religous Sign Language
- School Signs
- Sex Signs
- Technical Signs
Fun with Sign Language
One of the most popular things to do with sign language is to translate songs. You can also buy things with sign language themes, and play games and do puzzles with sign language themes.- 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 for Practicing Sign Language
- Signing Santas
- Signing Suppers
- Signwriting
Sign Language in Deaf Culture
Sign language is a central part of deaf culture. It is used expressively in stories and poetry, and deaf people create unique sign names for each other.Baby Sign Language
Using sign language with babies has been proven to reduce communication frustration (e.g., meltdowns) and may also improve a baby's IQ slightly. Young children can continue to use sign language even after they are no longer babies.- 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. For example, bilingual bicultural education uses ASL to teach English, the idea being that if a deaf child is strong in one language, they will be able to learn another. 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. Plus, there was a time in deaf history when sign language was basically 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 looked at a few foreign sign languages. Plus, there are several articles at About.com about international deaf communities, and these articles often have a little about each country's sign language.International Sign Language Articles
International Deaf Communities Articles- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Brazil
- China
- Colombia
- Germany
- India
- Iran
- Ireland
- Mexico
- Peru
- South Africa
