first ASL youtube video

OpheliaSpeaks

OpheliaSpeaks

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Hey all,
Here is my first ASL video. It is not perfect- I am a third year ASL student. I notice there is some English in there and a couple of things that are just weird...(I hate video cameras). The quality is not great because my friend's real camera would not connect to the computer, so I realize the lighting is not adequate for really seeing facial expression, morphemes, etc. I hope it isn't TOO bad! Let me know what you all think! :wiggle:

My Dream House
 
I hope you really want constructive observations

From what little I could see the signs looked right.
You need more/better lighting. You face was blacked out and any sign around the face of finger-spelled word was lost in the black out.
Could not see any facial gestures/non-manuals.
The only thing that stood out was the light shirt and when you hands were in front of the shirt clarity was lost.

So: More Light/Better Light
Dark Shirt

Remember -
ASL is visual
Light skin/dark clothing -- Dark skin/light clothing

Hope this helps and please repost your story. I'd love to see it :)
 
Thank you so much. Will do! (Yes, constructive criticism is appreciated). How else will I learn? :)
 
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Thank you so much. Will do! (Yes, constructive criticism is appreciated). How else will I learn? :)
Click to expand...

Whew!! I am glad. :)
You would be surprised (maybe not) by the many times I have answered a - What do you think? - question and then just been ripped apart because the person really didn't want to know what people thought.
When I saw a post back so quickly I held my breath and pressed the thread :fingersx: that it would be a post like yours :)

The first deaf/blind event I attended as an SSP I asked for correction and constructive criticism. The people - deaf and hearing - were a little shocked but were pleased to know that they could stop and correct without a 'tude cropping up.

I agree - thats how we learn and improve :)

Can't wait to see your whole story :)

BTW
What college are you attending?
Did you choose ASL for a foreign language credit or are you going to be an interpreter?
 
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I am at the University at Buffalo in NY. I have also attended Gallaudet for their 2 week summer sessions in ASL (LOVED it!). I wanted to be an interpreter, but I am having some medical difficulty and I'm losing my hearing. I may do teaching, continue to pursue interpreting, or something different, but ASL and Deaf culture has been a huge part of who I am. I have only formally taken 2 semesters of ASL (plus the 2 weeks at Gallaudet). Most of my sign was self-taught starting at age 11, so I sneak in signed English occasionally (I'm working on that). I actually enjoyed the project and will have to be making another one for class too, but I may decide to begin posting regularly and get greater feedback. There is a nice Deaf/hoh community through YouTube as well.
-erica-
 
Erica,

I enjoyed it very much!! I didn't understand most of it but, it was fun to try:))

Hey, is your program four years in NY??? Locally we have to go to William Woods here for the BA!! Just wondering..

John (1st year)
 
Hi John,
No, the program at UB is actually only 4 semesters. I skipped the first semester and took the third at Gally but I am retaking it now so that I can really learn it. There is not an abundance of Deaf resources in Buffalo but we make do! Rochester is about an hour away and obviously has a much larger Deaf community and more thorough training program in the language. I'm glad you liked the video. I realize it is rather dark. Had I been paying more attention to the filming I would have had better lighting/darker clothing. My friend who did the camera is visually impaired though, so between her not seeing well and me just not thinking, it turned out a little weird. Hopefully there will be many more! Good luck with your studies too!
-erica-
 
Could you do this again with the lighting in front of you and perhaps a darker top? Best wishes to you in this endeavor.
 
Hi Erica,

I just watched your video again and... I thought the lighting was OK! You are WAY more advanced than me! IMHO that is amazing for someone with only two semesters of ASL. Will you lose your hearing completely? I hope not but, it is nice to see you will still pursue your signing goals and dream house:)

Peace, John
 
JonRobrt said:
Hi Erica,

I just watched your video again and... I thought the lighting was OK! You are WAY more advanced than me! IMHO that is amazing for someone with only two semesters of ASL. Will you lose your hearing completely? I hope not but, it is nice to see you will still pursue your signing goals and dream house:)

Peace, John
Click to expand...

Facial expressions are critical using sign language, very critical. Therefore, the lighting needs to be in front of the signer, not in the back.
 
You are correct! I am new to the language and my receptive skills are poor! I too appreciate insight from skilled signers!

Thanks, John
 
Thanks all!
Next one will be properly lit! Promise! As for the hearing...we are still trying to sort it out. The prognosis is "progressive and permanent" so I'm trying to go with the flow for right now. Some days are better than others.
-erica-
 
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