Terps

[AquaBlue]

Okay, let's but it this way: What study proceedure did you use when you first began to learn ASL? Maybe that'll make me see your views. I hope. I am willing to cast out all my methods of learning and adapt a different (more effective) way of learning the language. Please do not throw your hand and forget about my struggles. I am serious about what I am saying and doing. Please, I need your help (as normal).

 

[Anij]

So how can break away from that mode of thinking jillio?

(I'm not Jillio - but...)

OK - here's a few initial questions

1) when you see the sign "FLOWER" how do you process that information?

2) when you learn a new sign - how do make it a part of your sign vocabulary?

3) how do you recall a ASL gloss ?

 

[AquaBlue]

Hmm. Very interesting questions. I'll try to answer them as best I can.

1. I think of a flower (a rose for example) and used the established link that associates the object to the manual gesture. This (ususally) takes a nano-second to process.
2. Each sign I learn stands alone from the rest. Each sign (word) has its own meaning and thus not effect other signs. There are individual definitions so there is no relation to other words.
3. By creating a system of learning (a story or other association method) uniting the whole and yet keeping each separate from the other. Does that make sense?

This, I feel, works against what you are telling me to do...from what I gather. I just do not see your entire meaning.

 

[AquaBlue]

Since so many of you are on me to change my study ways, I am willing to cast out my methods in order to more effectively learn the manual language of the Deaf.

Now to do so precisely is my current dilemma- my manner of thinking (I assume). You know that changing ones thinking is not an easy task for most so be patient with me. I’ve done things my way for a long time and a new way of thinking, most especially in learning, is not properly achieved overnight.

 

[shel90]

So how can break away from that mode of thinking jillio?

When signing in ASL, think in pictures rather than the English words. Sign according to the situation happening in the picture.

 

[Reba]

AquaBlue, you really need to start signing with other living, breathing signers. Learning ASL is not just an intellectual exercise of learning techniques. It's a flesh and blood language used daily by kids and adults at work, school, play, and in their personal relationships with each other.

Much of what others have posted here will be much clearer to you once you begin experiencing the language "hands on" and face to face.

Its like learning to drive a car. You can read about it, talk about it, watch videos about it, etc. But until you get behind the wheel and hit the highway, you can't really understand it.

 

[AquaBlue]

When signing in ASL, think in pictures rather than the English words. Sign according to the situation happening in the picture.

Now that's a different way to go about it. Okay, I'll try to do just that.

 

[AquaBlue]

AquaBlue, you really need to start signing with other living, breathing signers. Learning ASL is not just an intellectual exercise of learning techniques. It's a flesh and blood language used daily by kids and adults at work, school, play, and in their personal relationships with each other.

Much of what others have posted here will be much clearer to you once you begin experiencing the language "hands on" and face to face.

Its like learning to drive a car. You can read about it, talk about it, watch videos about it, etc. But until you get behind the wheel and hit the highway, you can't really understand it.

I see. Okay.

 

[shel90]

I see. Okay.

I agree with Reba...even though I was born deaf, I had no idea that ASL was a complete separate language from English. Even after two ASL classes, I still didnt "see" it. It occurred during my ASL III class when the focus on syntax became the primary focus. I remember, thinking, "huh? Not sign in English order???? No way!" I still didnt get why until I became fluent in it. That was when I got why the syntax is different from English. I can see that ASL makes much more sense to me than SEE (signed Exact English).

 

[AquaBlue]

I agree with Reba...even though I was born deaf, I had no idea that ASL was a complete separate language from English. Even after two ASL classes, I still didnt "see" it. It occurred during my ASL III class when the focus on syntax became the primary focus. I remember, thinking, "huh? Not sign in English order???? No way!" I still didnt get why until I became fluent in it. That was when I got why the syntax is different from English. I can see that ASL makes much more sense to me than SEE (signed Exact English).

Shel90: So you agree that the way to learn such a concept comes only with time? I mean, it is perfectly normal, at my early stage, not to fully understand what is being asked of me.

That it is something that will naturally happen (a eureka moment) once I begin (and then continue) to associate with experienced signers? There is no media (books, videos, etc.) that will teach me the how to of thinking in ASL. I will only "get it" after joining several Deaf gatherings. Not now: not this early; not before I even meet a deaf person.

So what do I do in the meantime? I'm not going to sit on my hands (I can't) and do nothing just because it is the wrong approach to study. I am not that type of person. I need to always progress- to use each day productively. I am not mentally lazy; not in the slightest. I can't just wait until I figure it out- this new concept of being visually minded when using ASL. So I must continue to do my work like before and wait for that awareness to come to me. Am I wrong or am I right?

 

[Anij]

Each sign I learn stands alone from the rest. Each sign (word) has its own meaning and thus not effect other signs. There are individual definitions so there is no relation to other words.

See, and I personally see one sign as connected to others - they're individual yes, but they "share" aspects with other signs - it's more than initialization , it's spacial, it's shared movement. When I learn a new sign, I make a number of connections - it's all subconscious at this point, but it wasn't always (umm I have THINK-DEAF though?) I make sense of the sign within ASL ... what does it share with other related signs ? why ? is it important that it does? does that allow me to manipulate it's meaning ? (the sign for DATE and DOUBLE DATE, FRIEND or FRIEND meaning a very close friend)

I'm hoping some others give their experience with how the connect, or separate learning signs


At this point - I'd focus on reading about Deaf culture (which I can't stress enough - it might not seem like the "right thing" to focus on ... but it will help you form a new mindset about Deaf as a "seeing people" and THAT will help you understand ASL better!

Ask us questions about social norms

Continue to learn signs - but not at lightening speed - don't think of it as a memory race - because honestly you might be learning them incorrectly because that's just what happens when you take a living spacial language and put it in a still picture.

Hopefully you're attending a Gathering soon ?? or at least getting a webcam so you can practice with "live people" even if it's via cyber space?

 

[AquaBlue]

What you say Anij tickles my interest to learn more. That's why it is so very frustrating for me (now) to grasp what you mean, exactly. I catch your drift but not completely. It seems more like a lesson learned via experience. If that is the case, then there is nothing I can about it now. I figure that once I associate with the Deaf on a regular basis can I finally grasp your meaning Anij. At this point- this concept- is consuming my thinking ever since it was first mentioned on this thread.

I hate to not know something I should...it bothers me to the core.

 

[Reba]

...I hate to not know something I should...it bothers me to the core.

If your goal is to become an interpreter (especially a community terp), you'll have to develop a flexible and adaptable attitude. That is, being serious about your studies and conscientious about meeting your goals is commendable but if you don't also learn to "go with the flow" you'll experience a lot of frustration and stress.

 

[AquaBlue]

So then, I have decided to change my study agency this way: learn groups of signs in themes, handshapes and initialized movements. Does that lesson structure bring me closer toward what you all are saying- to learn to think in ASL?

If so, then back to the drawing board. But memory methods will still be applied but not so heavily. Do I move on with this new type of study?

 

[AquaBlue]

If your goal is to become an interpreter (especially a community terp), you'll have to develop a flexible and adaptable attitude. That is, being serious about your studies and conscientious about meeting your goals is commendable but if you don't also learn to "go with the flow" you'll experience a lot of frustration and stress.

Oh I am learning about that flow now.

 

[Anij]

What you say Anij tickles my interest to learn more. That's why it is so very frustrating for me (now) to grasp what you mean, exactly. I catch your drift but not completely. It seems more like a lesson learned via experience. If that is the case, then there is nothing I can about it now. I figure that once I associate with the Deaf on a regular basis can I finally grasp your meaning Anij. At this point- this concept- is consuming my thinking ever since it was first mentioned on this thread.

I hate to not know something I should...it bothers me to the core.

AB,
One of the best pieces of advice that I ever received was a very simple reminder about life ... cherish the past, look forward to the future - but remember to embrace the present. It sounds a bit saccharin - but it's true. Starting to see a culture, to see a language for the first time "falling in love with it" as it were is a special time ... learn about it - but savour what you learn. Think of it more like a Fine Wine, and less like a bottle of gatorade
I think one part that you might be missing out on is the joy of learning to learn something in a new way. It's a time that you should be looking at things like " woow, I never thought of looking at it that way, how can I apply this new understanding to other aspects of my life" ...

just a thought ... try not to be frustrated - try to enjoy this time ... enjoy dialouging with people about it, learning new resources ...but don't feel you have to memorise everything (you'll learn it naturally along the way). Alot of it is just being open to seeing in a new way ... ASL, Culture, human interaction, pre-conceived ideas, what you thought of linguistics before...

Enjoy this time AB !!!

 

[AquaBlue]

Anij, do you think that, apart from association with the Deaf, I should look into this publication? Maybe it can help me see a little more clearly what I need to understand.

It has fantastic reviews and it sounds perfect for me right now. This is one review:

Featuring a completely revised section on morphology and syntax, 18 new and updated readings, and new homework assignments based on the accompanying DVD, the fourth edition of Linguistics of American Sign Language expands its purview as the standard introduction to ASL linguistics available today. The newly revised section offers new units on verbs in ASL, simple sentences in ASL, classifier predicates, syntax, and basic sentence types. The fourth edition also features groundbreaking research on iconic signs in ASL and the relationship between metaphor and iconicity in signed languages; variation in ASL; the different functions of space in ASL; and the artistic forms of ASL, including storytelling, percussion signing, drama, comedy, and poetry.

Updated references and expanded readings delineate all of the linguistic basics, including phonology, semantics, and language use. The fourth edition also provides new homework assignments that correspond to the ASL stories signed on the special DVD enclosed with this new volume.

 

[AquaBlue]

These are the books I requested from my library:

• The Joy of Signing: The Illustrated Guide for Mastering Sign Language and the Manual Alphabet by Lottie L. Riekehof
• Random House Webster's American sign language computer dictionary by Elaine Costello
• Talking with your hands, listening with your eyes : a complete photographic guide to American Sign Language by Gabriel Grayson

Any comment on these publications?

 

[Anij]

These are the books I requested from my library:

• The Joy of Signing: The Illustrated Guide for Mastering Sign Language and the Manual Alphabet by Lottie L. Riekehof
• Random House Webster's American sign language computer dictionary by Elaine Costello
• Talking with your hands, listening with your eyes : a complete photographic guide to American Sign Language by Gabriel Grayson

Any comment on these publications?

Is your library online ??? then maybe we could look around and make some additional recommendations ??

I still recommend Learning to See, & Journey into the DEAF-WORLD

 

[AquaBlue]

I am also (the busy boy that I am ) trying to establish a network of local Terps via e-mail. Right now I only have contact with one. But I am hoping that through that Terp I can be introduced to others. In that way I can familiarize myself with who's who in my area. Also, I can find out, through that network, what is happening in my local Deaf community: I would be notified of gatherings and maybe get some sound advice like I do here on this thread.

It's all about networking.