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I very much appreciate all the advice given even though it may not seem that way. I understand what is being said about my study methods but please see it my way in this case. Such memory methods work splendidly for me- they always have… I will keep your words in mind but I will not change my study ways. They have helped me learn so much in my past to give it up…to adjust to another way of learning. I am sorry but I can’t follow that one advice. I will of course follow all other advice as normal.

Thanks for your understanding. :)
 
We're not suggesting another way of learning, though. Your memory techniques - which I find very admirable - will work just fine. We're just suggesting a different way to apply them to learning ASL. Remember, ASL is a visual language, it's not like any other language you've learned before. By making a story with English words, you're trying to make ASL be English, and it's not...it's a different language. ASL words are not made with letters, they are made with handshapes. But you're using letters to remember signs, which will hinder your understanding in the future. You have to disconnect ASL from English. Otherwise, like I said, you will be stuck translating instead of just understanding.

I have an idea. May I suggest The Joy of Signing by Lottie Riekehof? Instead of being organized alphabetically, it is organized conceptually. Also, it lists origins for signs, which helps you remember them - if you understand WHY a sign looks like it does, it's easier to remember. Your library probably has this book, why not take a look and see if it is something that will help you? The ASL Handshape Dictionary (there is a workbook too) is also worth checking into. These tools will help you think of ASL as independent from English.
 
Etoile said:
We're not suggesting another way of learning, though. Your memory techniques - which I find very admirable - will work just fine. We're just suggesting a different way to apply them to learning ASL. Remember, ASL is a visual language, it's not like any other language you've learned before. By making a story with English words, you're trying to make ASL be English, and it's not...it's a different language. ASL words are not made with letters, they are made with handshapes. But you're using letters to remember signs, which will hinder your understanding in the future. You have to disconnect ASL from English. Otherwise, like I said, you will be stuck translating instead of just understanding.

I have an idea. May I suggest The Joy of Signing by Lottie Riekehof? Instead of being organized alphabetically, it is organized conceptually. Also, it lists origins for signs, which helps you remember them - if you understand WHY a sign looks like it does, it's easier to remember. Your library probably has this book, why not take a look and see if it is something that will help you? The ASL Handshape Dictionary (there is a workbook too) is also worth checking into. These tools will help you think of ASL as independent from English.
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What if I just learn initialize signs instead? I read through the handshape dictionary but I did not like it. Okay I'll check out Joy of Signing by Lottie Riekehof just to see what you mean in all this- I truly do not understand what is being told me to be frank.
 
AquaBlue said:
What if I just learn initialize signs instead? I read through the handshape dictionary but I did not like it. Okay I'll check out Joy of Signing by Lottie Riekehof just to see what you mean in all this- I truly do not understand what is being told me to be frank.
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Are you talking about the intialized signs as used in SEE?
 
AB - just wanted to say with mouth morphenes, they come once you have a good grasp of the language... When I started learning ASL it took so much for me to remember them. Now, they just happen (mind you I have been signing for 3 years) The more comfortable you are with signing, the easier it will be.
 
RDC_girl said:
AB - just wanted to say with mouth morphenes, they come once you have a good grasp of the language... When I started learning ASL it took so much for me to remember them. Now, they just happen (mind you I have been signing for 3 years) The more comfortable you are with signing, the easier it will be.
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I just wanted to see what MM was all about. I never intended to use it. Thanks! :)
 
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Is the sign in the above cover the sign for cheese, movie or something else? :ugh3: :wiggle:
 
AquaBlue said:
Is the sign in the above cover the sign for cheese, movie or something else? :ugh3: :wiggle:
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If I had to guess ... considering the topic ... "Gesture" would seem to make sense? ... (does the inside cover say ? - my copy's at home ... and I'm not)
 
Anij said:
If I had to guess ... considering the topic ... "Gesture" would seem to make sense? ... (does the inside cover say ? - my copy's at home ... and I'm not)
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Just being a little silly Anij. :giggle:
 
AquaBlue said:
I'm not familiar with SEE jilio. Good to see you again on this thread. :)
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can you give us some (5 maybe) examples of what you mean by initialized signs ?

when I think "initialized signs' I think groups like
RELIGION, THEOLOGY
CLASS, GROUP. TEAM, DIOCESE
BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW, GREY...
CONCEPT, IDEA, (MEMORY, REASON)

One thing you might want to start doing ( I'm sure it's been suggested before) is creating handshape stories and/or ABC stories ! they will help reinforce and connect the signs together for you in a more natural (ASL natural) way.
 
When the sign movement includes the letter handshape in it. Like the sign word Able- with the A-hands moving downward before the body.
 
AquaBlue said:
I will not change my study ways. They have helped me learn so much in my past to give it up…to adjust to another way of learning.
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It's brave to make that decision before knowing much about the language. I can't imagine making a decision not to change my methods of studying before starting a new subject of any kind -- language or other -- since I have no idea exactly what kind of study methods may be necessary. Hope it works out for you but I would only mention that with so many experienced people telling you it's not the best way to study ASL, you might consider lessening your adamant position.
 
Interpretrator said:
It's brave to make that decision before knowing much about the language. I can't imagine making a decision not to change my methods of studying before starting a new subject of any kind -- language or other -- since I have no idea exactly what kind of study methods may be necessary. Hope it works out for you but I would only mention that with so many experienced people telling you it's not the best way to study ASL, you might consider lessening your adamant position.
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I will be more open to that suggestion then. How precisely should I study ASL?
Any subject fits into the memory methods I use.
 
Hey ASLers !!
I'm wondering if the book "Learning to See" might be useful ???

It's been a long time since I read it ... Ideas ??
 
I use this book (below) not only to brush up on my spelling, an essential skill for signers (I’m certain), but for fingerspelling drills. All the words in this great dictionary are spaced out in syllables so that I can mouth-out (silently) the entire word as I spell it out with my fingers. So you train both your finger muscles and your brain :)

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And to think that I only paid a buck for it at a thrift store. A fantastic deal on a great book!
 
Working on my fingerspelling (not retention- just drills) is a lot like practicing a musical instrument like the guitar. Manual dexterity is gained only through finger drills (scales and such); only then can one express him/herself musically- with clarity (smooth, rhythmic movement). The same is true (to me) with fingerspelling practices.

Of course such drills are only a fraction of what is needed to be a fairly good fingerspelling signer (or guitarist). I do one or two pages of the book mentioned above; if I do more my hand muscles start to ache. :cool2:
 
Interpretrator: In a short span of two days (an hour and a half per day), I have learned (memorized) 139 signs! My study methods may not be the ideal way to learn ASL, but they are effective. :)
 
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