Learning to sign 1 handed

I

inmate23

Active Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
1,033
Reaction score
11
Hi

As you may know I have 1 hand to sign with. If I decide to learn to nzsl could I do this in a "normal" community ed night class or would I need to pay for private lessons?
 
Apparently one needs both hands to effect sign shapes. Having a "private" teacher wouldn't change how it is taught. Don't recall this condition discussed here. Does fingerspelling seem to be only alternate to writing on a pad?

Implanted Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07
 
drphil said:
Apparently one needs both hands to effect sign shapes. Having a "private" teacher wouldn't change how it is taught. Don't recall this condition discussed here. Does fingerspelling seem to be only alternate to writing on a pad?

Implanted Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07
Click to expand...

Apparently, you are very much incorrect.:laugh2:

You seriously need to stick to topics that you know something about.:lol:
 
Jillio: do you use one handed signs? Are all the pictures in ASL introductory books- incorrect?

Implanted Advanced Bionics=Harmony activated Aug/07
 
drphil said:
Jillio: do you use one handed signs? Are all the pictures in ASL introductory books- incorrect?

Implanted Advanced Bionics=Harmony activated Aug/07
Click to expand...

I use one-hand signs all the time when my arms are full with grocery.

Look up vblogs of Deaf people driving, often they're using one arm to communicate with the camera. Interpreters sometimes are allowed to work after a sprain or a broken arm if the interpreter and the client agree to the one-hand mode.
 
drphil said:
Jillio: do you use one handed signs? Are all the pictures in ASL introductory books- incorrect?

Implanted Advanced Bionics=Harmony activated Aug/07
Click to expand...

:laugh2: You really don't know anything about ASL. Even a beginning signer could show you your errors in assumptions here.:laugh2:

Anyone who signs will use I handed signs when necessary or convenient. Just as anyone who speaks will use contractions and drop words from their sentences. Duh.
 
souggy said:
I use one-hand signs all the time when my arms are full with grocery.

Look up vblogs of Deaf people driving, often they're using one arm to communicate with the camera. Interpreters sometimes are allowed to work after a sprain or a broken arm if the interpreter and the client agree to the one-hand mode.
Click to expand...

Yep.
 
jillio said:
:laugh2: You really don't know anything about ASL. Even a beginning signer could show you your errors in assumptions here.:laugh2:
Click to expand...

Maybe he lacks the abstract thinking that is required to fill in the blanks.

jst cuse tis i nt prpr eglsh u cn stll unstd wht im syng hre
 
souggy said:
Maybe he lacks the abstract thinking that is required to fill in the blanks.

jst cuse tis i nt prpr eglsh u cn stll unstd wht im syng hre
Click to expand...

Wonderful example of top down cognitive processing!

Yep, i have noticed an absence of critical thinking skills. No ability to apply concept to situation.
 
There was a student in my class that used only one hand because of a stroke. He did fine.

I recommend trying local resources to find a free or inexpensive class. Contact local governmental authorities. Also, is there a Deaf church in your area? That's how I learned. A local Deaf Church runs a Deaf center and offers classes during the day for free. Evening classes are inexpensive but have a fee. Good luck!
 
Remember that if you can't make someone understand a particular sign, you can always fall back on finger spelling. Deaf people are generally very patient with that.
 
inmate23 said:
Hi

As you may know I have 1 hand to sign with. If I decide to learn to nzsl could I do this in a "normal" community ed night class or would I need to pay for private lessons?
Click to expand...

I'd actaully recommend taking the standard classes taught by a native signer (ie Deaf person using sign language all - or most of their life) The reason is that this way you'll know if something is clear (the way you sign it) to someone OTHER than a NZSL instructor!

If you need some additional one-on-one help, then I'd do that later, and on an "as needed" basis.

For what it's worth - I know a number of people who (due to a medical condition, amputation etc) sign using only one hand!

I also know a number of people with CP, muscle atrophy, stroke etc who predominantly signwith one hand (ie correct handshapes, movements etc) and then use any gross motor skills they may have on their other side to "apply" that it's a two handed sign (ranging from doing the correct movement WITHOUT using the correct handshape to just lifting the hand/arm slightly so as indicate that the receiver/"listener" should "fill in the gap" that the other hand is to be used for that sign)

Because Sign Languages (true sign languages ie ASL, NZSL, BSL etc) have grammar rules which include "valid movements" for signs requiring both hands - it means that there are only a few "options" which would be "correct" at all... which would then be clarified by context, mouthing, and initialization of some signs (you may find you initialize signs more often to clarify meaning - which is totally fine!!)


You'll do GREAT!- signing one handed is absolutely possible, and even those who 90% of the time sign with 2 hands occasionally will switch to a one handed mode for one reason or another (carrying items, holding a child, eating, typing/writing etc).
 
drphil said:
Apparently one needs both hands to effect sign shapes. Having a "private" teacher wouldn't change how it is taught. Don't recall this condition discussed here. Does fingerspelling seem to be only alternate to writing on a pad?

Implanted Advanced Bionics-Harmony activated Aug/07
Click to expand...

drphil - You stick to talking about "deaf swimming" since you know something about it & we'll stick to talking about ASL (and signed languages) since we know about it and actaully USE it ...OK ?
 
Anij said:
I'd actaully recommend taking the standard classes taught by a native signer (ie Deaf person using sign language all - or most of their life) The reason is that this way you'll know if something is clear (the way you sign it) to someone OTHER than a NZSL instructor!

If you need some additional one-on-one help, then I'd do that later, and on an "as needed" basis.

For what it's worth - I know a number of people who (due to a medical condition, amputation etc) sign using only one hand!

I also know a number of people with CP, muscle atrophy, stroke etc who predominantly signwith one hand (ie correct handshapes, movements etc) and then use any gross motor skills they may have on their other side to "apply" that it's a two handed sign (ranging from doing the correct movement WITHOUT using the correct handshape to just lifting the hand/arm slightly so as indicate that the receiver/"listener" should "fill in the gap" that the other hand is to be used for that sign)

Because Sign Languages (true sign languages ie ASL, NZSL, BSL etc) have grammar rules which include "valid movements" for signs requiring both hands - it means that there are only a few "options" which would be "correct" at all... which would then be clarified by context, mouthing, and initialization of some signs (you may find you initialize signs more often to clarify meaning - which is totally fine!!)


You'll do GREAT!- signing one handed is absolutely possible, and even those who 90% of the time sign with 2 hands occasionally will switch to a one handed mode for one reason or another (carrying items, holding a child, eating, typing/writing etc).
Click to expand...

As I medical bills to pay unless I can get into my youth groups sign class(which is normally booked solid) I will learning out a book
 
Anij said:
I'd actaully recommend taking the standard classes taught by a native signer (ie Deaf person using sign language all - or most of their life) The reason is that this way you'll know if something is clear (the way you sign it) to someone OTHER than a NZSL instructor!

If you need some additional one-on-one help, then I'd do that later, and on an "as needed" basis.

For what it's worth - I know a number of people who (due to a medical condition, amputation etc) sign using only one hand!

I also know a number of people with CP, muscle atrophy, stroke etc who predominantly signwith one hand (ie correct handshapes, movements etc) and then use any gross motor skills they may have on their other side to "apply" that it's a two handed sign (ranging from doing the correct movement WITHOUT using the correct handshape to just lifting the hand/arm slightly so as indicate that the receiver/"listener" should "fill in the gap" that the other hand is to be used for that sign)

Because Sign Languages (true sign languages ie ASL, NZSL, BSL etc) have grammar rules which include "valid movements" for signs requiring both hands - it means that there are only a few "options" which would be "correct" at all... which would then be clarified by context, mouthing, and initialization of some signs (you may find you initialize signs more often to clarify meaning - which is totally fine!!)


You'll do GREAT!- signing one handed is absolutely possible, and even those who 90% of the time sign with 2 hands occasionally will switch to a one handed mode for one reason or another (carrying items, holding a child, eating, typing/writing etc).
Click to expand...


hearing people teach sign? that sounds like a disaster. :giggle: but really i think having a Deaf instructor does make it so much easier to learn, because she teaches only in sign and you are forced to understand or you are totally lost the whole class.
 
HelloNurse said:
hearing people teach sign? that sounds like a disaster. :giggle: but really i think having a Deaf instructor does make it so much easier to learn, because she teaches only in sign and you are forced to understand or you are totally lost the whole class.
Click to expand...

Why would it be a disaster? CODAs are as native a signer as their Deaf parents would be. They are perfectly capable of teaching the language.
 
jillio said:
Why would it be a disaster? CODAs are as native a signer as their Deaf parents would be. They are perfectly capable of teaching the language.
Click to expand...


Yes, there are plenty of CODA etc that are wonderful teachers !!


On the other hand - I've seen some hearing people who after taking a few years of ASL classes somehow figure they "know enough" that they're going to "teach ASL" ( in community centres, youth groups, school "clubs" etc where anyone can teach anything if they "look like" they know what they're doing)

THAT is a disaster !
 
Back
Top