Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Learning Sign Language - Simple Methods

By Michael Mills


It doesn't have to be difficult to learn sign language, but it will take some practice and a new way of thinking if you aren't used to it. Whether you're motivated by career reasons or a desire to communicate with a hearing impaired person in your life, we will cover several methods that can help you learn quickly. Learning sign language will feel as natural as talking, once you begin to get the hang of it.

The way you learn sign language will depend on your reason for learning it. If you are doing it as a hobby or perhaps to communicate with a deaf friend, you learn at your own pace. But if you want to become an interpreter or use it for another career purpose, you'll need to be certified.This normally means taking classes at a university, though nowadays accredited programs are also available online. The very nature of sign language, however, makes it easier to learn in a physical classroom, as you have to watch the instructor very carefully. Still, if taking classes in person isn't practical, you can pick this up from watching a computer screen. There are now many schools that offer certification in sign language if this is your goal.

Since there are signs for words and letters you'll need to begin by learning the alphabet. Finger spelling is one of the most fundamental and important skills in sign language because it can be used when you either don't know or forget the sign for particular words. You can speed up your letter learning by purchasing a sign language alphabet chart. Because finger spelling and letter formation are both fundamental tools in sign language it's necessary to master them quickly. You can find an alphabet chart in many bookstores, or even download one from a website.

When you learn sign language, you have to understand that because words aren't spoken, facial expressions become very important. The literal meanings of words are conveyed with the hands, but deaf people are accustomed to expressing themselves with their facial expressions more than people with normal hearing. This means that you need to make sure your facial expressions match the words you are signing as you learn to communicate through sign language. On a similar note, eye contact is very important when talking to hearing impaired people. These are aspects of learning sign language that it will take some getting used to, but you should know about them.

The fact is, almost anyone can learn sign language if they make up their mind to do so. You can't expect to be an expert right away, and when you see two deaf people signing you may think that you'll never be that good. You will learn and pick up speed more quickly than you think, however, as long as you put in the effort. Some of the tips we covered in this article can make learning sign language easier. It's worth putting in the effort, because signing will add a new dimension to your life.




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