Taught Myself the ASL Alphabet

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LoudSilence

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I thought myself the ASL alphabet and 0-9. I am pretty proud of myself, although some letters take me a minute the figure out what they are. I always mix up "A", "S", and "E". Other than that, I'm not to shabby! :D

I also know a few words: diaper, tree, bird, yes, no, respect, understand, beautiful, nothing, going, mom, dad, on, I love you, love, kiss, learn, and friend. It's not much, but it is a start. My school doesn't offer this, so I learned all of this on my own.
 
Well done! Practice spelling people and place names, so your hands get used to the movement. It is only a small start, but knowing the alphabet and some numbers will likely put you above some of the other students starting an ASL 101 class.
 
That's what I teach hearies to use when it becomes necessary. Most will not learn ASL but this is far better than anticipating communication breakdowns.
 
LoudSilence said:
I thought myself the ASL alphabet and 0-9. I am pretty proud of myself, although some letters take me a minute the figure out what they are. I always mix up "A", "S", and "E". Other than that, I'm not to shabby! :D

I also know a few words: diaper, tree, bird, yes, no, respect, understand, beautiful, nothing, going, mom, dad, on, I love you, love, kiss, learn, and friend. It's not much, but it is a start. My school doesn't offer this, so I learned all of this on my own.
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Never ever learn to sign ASL by yourself as you will make lots of mistakes. Even if you can not afford to go to the ASL, you still need to go to ASL class anyway.

I don't understand why anyone want to sign by yourself alone. Can not believe their excuses about having no money or could not find ASL class like Community Collge, YWCA or YMCA. You might try to ask the Deaf School if there is a ASL class somewhere in your area.

If you are interest in learning how to sign, then go to the ASL class. If you refuse, then you are offending a lot of deaf people when you sign the wrong way. **sigh**
 
Obviously the OP has access to the internet. With all the different websites offering videos, lessons and explanations, it's not really that difficult to learn ASL without a class. Yes, a class, if available is a good idea and for most people is the best option, but I would never discourage anyone from learning just because they don't want or can't take a class. The more people who know ASL whatever the degree, the better I think it is for everybody. That's just my opinion.

Perhaps other areas are different, but in this area (Sacramento, CA) most people are very friendly and would help rather than be offended if you were a beginner and didn't quite sign something correctly.
 
Bebonang said:
Never ever learn to sign ASL by yourself as you will make lots of mistakes. Even if you can not afford to go to the ASL, you still need to go to ASL class anyway.

I don't understand why anyone want to sign by yourself alone. Can not believe their excuses about having no money or could not find ASL class like Community Collge, YWCA or YMCA. You might try to ask the Deaf School if there is a ASL class somewhere in your area.

If you are interest in learning how to sign, then go to the ASL class. If you refuse, then you are offending a lot of deaf people when you sign the wrong way. **sigh**
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Maybe this is a first step towards taking ASL classes? Yeah, for us knowing the alphabet is not a big deal but I know I am happy to encounter hearing people who can spell things out to me.

I honestly would welcome anybody who is trying to learn ASL because we, as a minority, can't afford to be judgmental. Getting "offended" if someone signs something incorrectly is not only silly, it is also ignoring a major teaching opportunity.
An error is a teachable moment.
We aren't going to gain any allies by discouraging people who are just beginning to learn ASL.

Of course, once a learner gets more serious, they should take a formal ASL class but the OP is obviously just beginning.
Yeah, for many of us we learned ASL so early that we don't remember it but most people don't have that privilege.
 
Rogus said:
Obviously the OP has access to the internet. With all the different websites offering videos, lessons and explanations, it's not really that difficult to learn ASL without a class. Yes, a class, if available is a good idea and for most people is the best option, but I would never discourage anyone from learning just because they don't want or can't take a class. The more people who know ASL whatever the degree, the better I think it is for everybody. That's just my opinion.

Perhaps other areas are different, but in this area (Sacramento, CA) most people are very friendly and would help rather than be offended if you were a beginner and didn't quite sign something correctly.
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There is only so far that learning from a website will take you. I learned for the best part of a year from the various websites before I started my classes. The classes very quickly left the websites behind. I'd say it's like learning to drive from your car's owner's manual, and a copy of your local traffic regulations. Knowing the theory is one thing, being able to actually put it effectively into practice is another thing.
 
OP I high recommend to you to your deaf community club social ASL lesson better help.

Deaf teach to lots of sign language to hoh/deaf good idea

1)school & college
2)services
3)etc
4)vistor anytimes


I suggest to you asl lesson help to fast communication
 
that good thing to do ..learn BSL alphabet always handy know two
 
Interesting vocabulary list. I don't know many people who include DIAPER in their first batch of signs. :lol:
 
Hahaha! Yes, diaper is one of my words! :D Its a very...interesting vocabulary i have learned!
 
Just letting you all know, I have learned a few more words to my vocabulary, such as: up, girl, birthday, and happy. I am slowly making process! :D

And to whoever said I shouldn't learn it on my own, I mean no disrespect but not many hearing teenagers are willing to learn sign language on their own time. Let alone when your schedule is jam packed,like mine is, so there is no time for an ASL class. Most teens would be more than content to make fun of, and laugh at those who cannot hear. I don't intend on going and speaking fluently in front of a whole group of deaf people. Just knowing the alphabet could help someone who can't hear.

In fact, my 4-H group held a fundraiser and a deaf woman ended up coming and was having difficulty understanding what everyone was saying because they were talking while getting her food and washing her car, so she couldn't see their lips. I actually ended up being a translator. The woman seemed very pleased to see a hearing person who could use ASL. I also feel that your wording was harsh and a little unnecessary.
 
LoudSilence, I am happy that you are taking the time to learn something new. You can't please everyone, and you don't have to. I applaud you for trying to learn something new and interesting. The internet is an amazing place to learn when there is no other way to do so. Taking classes is the best way to get an overall learning experience, but when can't afford the time or money to go to one, studying what is available is the next best thing.

Just remember this, you can't please everyone, but do what makes you happy.
 
Loudsilence, this is one of the things that you miss if you don't take a class or learn from a Deaf person - Deaf are blunt. There's a lot of important additional cultural things like that. Most <but not all> communities in the U.S have Deaf mentors, d/hard of hearing centers, Deaf studies programs or ASL classes at universities, interpreter agencies - all of whom would likely have ways to point you to learning from a Deaf person directly, if not taking a class.

Learning a few signs is only part of it.
 
LoudSilence said:
And to whoever said I shouldn't learn it on my own, I mean no disrespect but not many hearing teenagers are willing to learn sign language on their own time. Let alone when your schedule is jam packed,like mine is, so there is no time for an ASL class. Most teens would be more than content to make fun of, and laugh at those who cannot hear.
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It's great that you want to learn, but you really really should consider formal instruction if you're at all serious about it. Getting all haughty ("you should be grateful I'm even trying!") or defensive is counterproductive. Have you looked for any classes in your area? There might be one that fits your schedule.
 
LoudSilence said:
Just letting you all know, I have learned a few more words to my vocabulary, such as: up, girl, birthday, and happy. I am slowly making process! :D

And to whoever said I shouldn't learn it on my own, I mean no disrespect but not many hearing teenagers are willing to learn sign language on their own time. Let alone when your schedule is jam packed,like mine is, so there is no time for an ASL class. Most teens would be more than content to make fun of, and laugh at those who cannot hear. I don't intend on going and speaking fluently in front of a whole group of deaf people. Just knowing the alphabet could help someone who can't hear.

In fact, my 4-H group held a fundraiser and a deaf woman ended up coming and was having difficulty understanding what everyone was saying because they were talking while getting her food and washing her car, so she couldn't see their lips. I actually ended up being a translator. The woman seemed very pleased to see a hearing person who could use ASL. I also feel that your wording was harsh and a little unnecessary.
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Are we supposed to congratulate you for your self restraint?
 
Rogus said:
So, we can be blunt but he can't? Silly double standards.
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I get so tired of hearing people's behavior. It's a good part of the reason I and many deaf people just stay home and avoid them when possible.

And what does your statement mean anyway?

Don't engage in dialog with the hearing populace here?

And what do you mean "we"? Are you deaf? Doubt it.
 
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