Just confused... maybe?
I think we have a misunderstanding here. I am going to explain better.
My reason to want to know is to learn. I am not trying to say the English dictionary is superior. I was merely using it as a comparison. It shows the term as OFFENSIVE in the entry heading after the word. It would be easy to do the same in ASL dictionary, mark OFFENSIVE.
I did not mean to offend you or give the idea that I think Merriam Webster Dictionary is better than ASL dictionary. That was not my intent. If I misstated myself, I apologize.
I took ASL and Deaf Culture classes back in the 1990's in college when Microsoft edition for ASL dictionary on CD ROM worked on WINDOWS 3.1. I need to REPLACE it since it won't work.
I just read that Microsoft will change operating systems AGAIN next year, so I am waiting for the new one on DVD (I hope there is one) to learn more. I don't want to buy the one now and just have to buy it again with upgraded operating system. Bill Gates knows how to make his money.
My signing is a little "rusty", meaning I need to refresh my memory. I was using ASL PRO DOT COM to help when I couldn't remember something. I know I need to improve.
The program CD-ROM came with a print copy, and it was an older edition. I have moved several times since the 1990's. I was trying to ask about the current edition. I can't find my old print copy. I have looked. I just replaced some of my older reference books, and it needs to be added to my next trip to the bookstore.
I wasn't aware if they had included terms for things like sex, or intimate body parts in the current edition. The old one I don't remember seeing those there.
I know Deaf people ask questions to their friends. I have not seen some of my deaf friends in a long time. I moved around a lot and want to try to locate some of them again, say hello, because I moved back to the area. I have been gone a long time and lost touch with some people.
I know they will ask me if I have children. I don't. My husband CAN NOT have any children. I don't know how (I'm trying not to feel frustrated) to explain this. He has a medical condition and it is not possible. The explanation is longer and I don't know the signs for it. My fingerspelling is slow, might take me all day. I just wondered about this stuff, that is all. I wanted to be prepared if the question is asked of me.
My friends are religious and do not use curse words. They never taught me those. I would feel very stupid if I accidentally cursed one of them.
How can hearing people avoid making total idiots of themselves if we can't find out what not to say? I want to be respectful, not malicious or offensive.
I wouldn't want to say certain words in Spanish accidentally to someone I first met, and I was able to find those out. I have been wondering--that is all. Please don't be angry at me for being an ignorant hearing person.
I am just trying to understand.
I work full-time 40 hours and I am trying to improve on my own on free time.
I also found out the community college won't allow people who have had ASL 1 to take it again without permission. I don't understand this. I repeated ASL 1 twice at a different college back in the 1990's.
Sorry if I seem a little frustrated. I am trying to improve.