A reader, J.K., commented:
I do recommend that you, as an educator, try to improve your own understanding of ASL, if only because it will allow you to make better judgments about the quality of an interpreter. There are little nuances in ASL that are important but are only gotten if you're fluent, IMO. Even though ASL is not my native language, I am almost equally fluent in ASL now, to the point that I can determine if an educator, interpreter, or any other professional working with deaf kids is qualified or not (I'm a deaf educator). I still have a "hearing" accent though; everyone thinks I'm hearing instead of deaf/hoh! lol.
I agree.
It has been hard, since no one I work with, except some interpreters and a teacher, are fluent or somewhat fluent in ASL or some sort of sign language system.
I have been working on it. I watch videos of people signing whenever I get a chance. I practice finger spelling everyday. I sign with the interpreters and with my friends, whenever I get the time to see them and talk with them.
I would love to be fluent, but how am I supposed to become fluent if there is hardly anyone else around signing or using ASL? I suppose I can keep taking classes and try to only hang out with people who sign. But, it is finding the time to do this is what I struggle with, which is why I am looking forward to the summer break. Perhaps I can immerse myself in a signing environment for a weekend or more.
For now, I will just continue to watch videos of people signing, practice finger-spelling, and learn a new sign or two everyday.
However, according to some deaf signing people and interpreters, my signing is pretty fluent. But, I disagree. If I have to sometimes stop and think about what to sign, or how to sign it, I am not there yet. I cringe when I meet other deaf educators who claim that they are fluent in ASL, when it is obvious that they are not. I don't want to be one of those people and I think I worry that if I claim to be fluent, others would disagree and would think I am being ridiculous. I want to be honest about my signing skills and let others know, so that I can get the most help I can get in improving my skills.
(e
I do recommend that you, as an educator, try to improve your own understanding of ASL, if only because it will allow you to make better judgments about the quality of an interpreter. There are little nuances in ASL that are important but are only gotten if you're fluent, IMO. Even though ASL is not my native language, I am almost equally fluent in ASL now, to the point that I can determine if an educator, interpreter, or any other professional working with deaf kids is qualified or not (I'm a deaf educator). I still have a "hearing" accent though; everyone thinks I'm hearing instead of deaf/hoh! lol.
I agree.
It has been hard, since no one I work with, except some interpreters and a teacher, are fluent or somewhat fluent in ASL or some sort of sign language system.
I have been working on it. I watch videos of people signing whenever I get a chance. I practice finger spelling everyday. I sign with the interpreters and with my friends, whenever I get the time to see them and talk with them.
I would love to be fluent, but how am I supposed to become fluent if there is hardly anyone else around signing or using ASL? I suppose I can keep taking classes and try to only hang out with people who sign. But, it is finding the time to do this is what I struggle with, which is why I am looking forward to the summer break. Perhaps I can immerse myself in a signing environment for a weekend or more.
For now, I will just continue to watch videos of people signing, practice finger-spelling, and learn a new sign or two everyday.
However, according to some deaf signing people and interpreters, my signing is pretty fluent. But, I disagree. If I have to sometimes stop and think about what to sign, or how to sign it, I am not there yet. I cringe when I meet other deaf educators who claim that they are fluent in ASL, when it is obvious that they are not. I don't want to be one of those people and I think I worry that if I claim to be fluent, others would disagree and would think I am being ridiculous. I want to be honest about my signing skills and let others know, so that I can get the most help I can get in improving my skills.
(e
The best way to improve ASL is to be around other people who are signing. Videos are a good tool, but should not replace actual socialization. Using language is a social activity, not a solitary one. Check and see if there are any deaf events in or near your community: silent weekend, deaf professional happy hour, deaf night out, deaf clubs, deaf associations, etc etc. Best of luck! =)
ReplyDeleteJK
Are ASL social groups truly rare?
ReplyDeleteAnon - they really are. Or if they're out there, they don't meet at convenient times or there is one in the metropolitan city maybe an hour, hour and a half away from you, but nothing local.
ReplyDelete(e - don't feel bad! I am a much better expressive signer than I am a receptive signer, so I don't count myself as "fluent," but if other people you know compliment their skills, just say thank you! :)
(Jenn again - my Google account is persnickety.)
More folks are using ASL in English order which is what is called PSE. Some call it Contact Sign Language, but for the most part- grassroots tend to use 'PSE'. I think the reason why most use PSE is because many have better understanding of English through various means such as being educated, exposed to captions/subtitles, etc.
ReplyDeleteASL is truly becoming more of a lost art as the years go by, IMO.
Candy~
Thanks Jenn,
ReplyDeleteI have much better receptive signing skills than expressive. I don't know why that is. Everyone is different, I suppose.
Sorry that Google account is not letting you leave comments through it. I hope it does not continue to do that.