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American Sign Language - Blog Posts
Have been tasked with coming up with my asl name and I should not have been handed this kind of power.
Knowing myself, I'll probably end up giving myself a name that could very well be tumblr username.
And yes, I am taking suggestions
“I’ll give you a signal.”
This anime is so cozy, please go check it out
Spent an entire week binging them with some apple cinnamon tea in the morning 🤤☕️
Hi, I’m Wynter, I’m Deaf and fluent in ASL (American Sign Language). I get a lot of people telling me they want to learn to sign, but not knowing exactly where to start. So, I am here to provide that!
Let’s start off with some basics, though. ASL does NOT follow English grammar (Signed Exact English/SEE does, but it is not ASL), it only uses English words and a lot of the communication with singing is done via facial expression and body language. Basically, it goes in the order of time > topic > comment. For example, “ I am going to pet dogs next week” would be “next week dogs me pet”, but there are quite a few variants and every person who signs will have a different way of doing this. Sort of how people who speak English in different parts of America have an accent and different ways to sign things. The most important thing to note about ASL is that *American* Sign Language is not universal. Most languages have their own form of SL and a lot of the word signs/alphabets are not at all the same. Another note, learning SEE may seem easier at first, but it can actually make the transition to ASL grammar that much more difficult. An example of differing signs is BSL (British Sign Language) vs ASL.
This is the BSL finger alphabet:
And this is the American one:
So while there is a small bit of crossover, it is very, very different! Don’t get me wrong, a lot of times signers will understand each other at least a little bit, but it does need to be noted that signs can differ by language, country, region, and sometimes person.
Now, onto what you came for…
Alphabet:
ASL Alphabet
ASL ABC’S (NON-CC VIDEO)
The ASL Alphabet
Deaf Culture:
*Note: if you are going to be attending Deaf events, please make sure you familiarise yourself with our culture!
American Deaf Culture
What is Deaf Culture?
The Importance of Deaf Culture
Deaf Culture vs Hearing Culture (NON-CC VIDEO)
Finger spelling:
American Sign Language Finger Spelling
Sign Word List for Finger Spelling
Learn ASL: The Finger Spelling Alphabet for Beginners (CC VIDEO)
ASL Finger Spelling Word Printer (gives you the finger spelling equivalent to what you type)!
Finger Spelling Practice
Sign Language Translator
Grammar:
ASL Grammar
The Basic Structure
Learn ASL Grammar (CC VIDEO)
Learn:
*Note: The best way to learn is through Deaf people/other signers!
Lifeprint
SignLanguage101
The ASL App
100 First Signs (Lifeprint)
Misc:
A Day Through a Deaf Person’s Eyes (CC VIDEO)
Deaftube
What Questions Annoy Deaf People? (CC VIDEO)
Things Not to Say to a Deaf Person (CC VIDEO)
Why I Don’t Sound Deaf (CC VIDEO)
13 Things my Hearing Friends Should Know (CC VIDEO)
National Association of the Deaf
If you want a safe place to learn sign language (including ASL), I have created a Discord called Sign Language Learners! Come join and learn with other learners, Deaf/HoH people, and those curious kids who just want to know how the Deaf communicate.
How are you learning ASL? My local colleges don't offer any classes :(
That's a great question lmao! I'm currently on a break from active review and new vocabulary. But I have resources I can offer you.
Here’s emmastudies’ resource post
Here’s someone you can follow on instagram: Nyle DiMarco
Rochelle Barlow has a lot of resources. I caution this one, just because I’m genuinely wary of people who sell their method as being above all methods. She has some good points--language learning should be fun--but it also does take work and practice. You can just make those things a little less painful.
My old ass post about ASL still have a lot of resources I use, and the top one I recommend is ASL University. That’s where I got the majority of my basic vocab.
I am fortunate that we have Deaf Studies at this university, but it doesn’t have to be the only way. I would try to find a study buddy to hold you accountable--I’ve found, especially in the pandemic, it’s sooo hard and sooo isolating to endeavor with this kind of stuff alone.
Please let me know if you need more resources/help!
Here’s a video of me from this morning when I went nonverbal, I’m using ASL (American sign language) to the best of my ability to talk about why you should learn sign. It’s a great tool for nonverbal, neurodivergent, HOH, deaf, and other individuals to communicate. If you can decipher what I’m saying congrats, I know it’s not super neat or grammatically correct, I’m still learning.
(NV stands for nonverbal)
Tomorrow, Daniel Durant performs pregame at Super Bowl LVIII with an exciting performance of the national anthem!!!
🤟🏻💙💜🫶🏻💗💕💋🥰😍 I can't wait!!! Who else is excited? ✨️ Team Sign to Shine always and forever ✨️
Learning ASL
So you want to learn ASL? Congratulations on taking the first step!
Many people want to learn ASL to communicate with Deaf people, being nonspeaking, their hearing is going away, hearing fatigue, they consider ASL a "beautiful" language, or just for fun!
ASL is a language separate from english, and it's primarily used in the US and some parts of Canada. ASL, American sign language is the second biggest sign language, with the first being CSL, Chinese sign language.
Here are my recommendations for you to help you learn ASL!
In addition to learning basic verbs, etc, try to learn one random word per day!
Download ASL apps if you haven't already, they'll help you to learn basic verbs easier. Some good ASL apps are Lingvano, ASL Sign Language Pocket Sign, and Hands On ASL.
Watch Youtubers who sign ASL without the sound on. My personal favorite is L1z Harris.
If it's possible watch movies or shows with people signing in them, such as CODA.
I hope your learning goes well!
People are trying to bring back 1880s-era anti-ASL sentiment. Worst timeline.
Everyone needs to learn sign language pls. Like whatever version is used in your country I encourage you to learn.
Not only will you be learning another language, but you'll be able to talk to other signers, D(d)eaf or not, and two people can communicate in loud places without needing to hear the other.
I'm hard of hearing and have such a difficult time with trying to hear others. I stopped wearing hearing aids because I got annoyed that even after about 18 years I still had a hard time distinguishing what hearies were saying.
I'm learning my country's sign language (ASL) but don't have any experienced signers to practice with. I really hope more people learn these languages (and the history of said languages).
And sign is also helpful with neurodivergent people and babies aswell!
Here's the link to the skeet https://bsky.app/profile/margaretadelle.bsky.social/post/3lgnrffsfa22b
and the course
https://courses.osd.k12.ok.us/collections
Since Trump took office all videos with American Sign Language interpreters have been removed from the White House website and YouTube channels. What could be the point of this beyond pure cruelty?
Name Change
Guess what I did today!
Sources:
Name: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
Change: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: Name and Change in American Sign Language. Both signs start pink and end blue.
Name is two hands in H handshape palms facing signer. Dominant hand taps base hand at the fingers.
Change is both hands in X handshape crossed at the wrists. The hands rotate around each other to cross with the other arm in front.
End ID]
I just watched The Eight: Reindeer Monologues.
It is fully in ASL with English voice over and closed captions.
I thought the writing was great, the acting was phenomenal (idk about the voice acting. My computer was on mute), and the editing...but overall, it was a good show. It's not for everyone; it's a story about sexual assault. It explores the different way people respond to allegations: from active support and passive support, to dismissal and denial, to guilt and shame. I was hesitant to watch it because it was advertised as a dark comedy about sexual harassment, but I'm glad I did. I thought they handled the challenging themes well despite the inherent goofiness of the characters and settings they chose to tell their story with.
[Image ID:
Poster has art of a cussing reindeer in sunglasses. Alternating green, red, and brown text says:
Deaf Austin Theatre presents The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. Staring the DAT board of directors.
A dark, dark Christmas comedy written by Jeff Goode. Virtually streamed through Stellar Dec 21-28. Get virtual tickets today! www.deafaustintheatre.org
Poster designed by Melinda Schallau The Eight: Reindeer Monologues is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Recommend for ages 18 and up
End ID]
if anyone happens to have a deaf west american idiot bo*t or even just clips they’re willing to share i will be indebted to you for life
i can trade for other bo*ts (i have dwsa, jlp, bom, deh, falsettos, and bmc i believe) if that’s a thing that is required but please please please please
sincerely, a deaf person with an extremely intense emotional attachment to this musical and this production especially
Kamala
[Image ID: Kamala Harris's sign name. Hand in a 3 fingered O handshape twists and opens in a 3 handshape with palm facing signer. Hands are blue line art. Kamala is written along the thumb. End ID]
Source:
It's good!
Anyway I'm watching Deafula
I ment to post this sooner because it's the last day to pre order but...LOOK AT THIS!
[Image ID: a book called Visual Stories in Sign Language by Brittany Castle. Illustrations show how various classifiers are used to describe birds. Text underneath reads:
Love American Sign Language? Support Deaf Artists!
ASL is a real, valuable, and beautiful language, used every day by members of the deaf community. It has a rich history, its own rules, and culture. Even better? When you purchase from a deaf artist, you are connecting with and supporting the deaf community and you can be confident that the signs in your art are correct because you bought from a native signer. 58 Creativity was founded to show ASL in clear, visual art that is easy to understand, even if you’re seeing ASL for the first time!
End ID]
Halloween
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: Halloween in American Sign Language. Both hands in bent B handshape, palms facing the signer with fingers pointing up, twist back and fourth over the signers face. The hands are orange and purple and a purple face has fangs. End ID]
Bat
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: Bat in American Sign Language. Both hands with wrists crossed over signers chest flick out into the 1 handshape. Hands are purple with black nails. End ID]
Spider
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: Spider in American Sign Language. Both hands in clawed 5 handshape, palms stacked with fingers out to represent spider legs. The hands are purple with sharp black nails. End ID]
Pumpkin
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: Pumpkin in American Sign Language. Hand starting in 8 handshape flicks base hand in S handshape. Dominant hand is green and base hand is orange. End ID]
Ghost
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: Ghost in American Sign Language. Both hands in F handshape. Dominant hand moves up in a wobbly path from base hand. Hands are different shades of blue as the sign progresses and a ghost is depicted as coming out of the base hand. End ID]
it felt like was the only one learning asl for nonverbalism reasons and i always felt weird about it cus there was never really any information about using asl for mutism like i'm appropriating deaf language or something? but i just got so sick of typing things out to communicate and people getting annoyed with how long it takes. its embarrassing. i've found that a sentence that comes out garbled and incomprehensible or doesn't come out at all when i try to speak verbally comes out easy as shit in sign. i also don't need captions for asl movies and videos (i got audio processing issues) so i'm working on my receptive skill also. anyway if you haven't done it before, what's the sign for selective mutism?
I am definitely grateful to the deaf community for sign languages. I don't think there would be sign languages if they hadn't developed and fought for it. But I don't think its appropriation to learn it for nonverbalism. For me personally, I'm just excited there's another person in the world I could sign with! I think it sucks that others assume people would only wanna sign if they have to! I've been in a number of situations in which I'm signing with someone, they ask if I'm deaf or hearing, then immediately start speaking when I say hearing. ASL is a wonderfully expressive language that feels so much more natural to me than spoken language.
Selective Mutism
Source: Lifeprint
[Image ID: Selective Mutism in American Sign Language. Hand in 4 handshape over the signers mouth, like the sign for "talk" then closes in S handshape over the mouth. The first part of the sign is red, and the second half is blue. End ID]
I started learning sign language because of when I'm so overwhelmed I can't speak. It has brought me so much more joy than I expected being able to communicate non verbally. I will say, language is a social tool. It felt like I was building a bridge to nowhere before I found people to sign with.
All my life, people have asked me why I was so quiet, and assumed I was an extreme introvert even though I enjoy being around people; I just hated talking and being expected to speak.
Now I have classes that are ASL only and my teachers can't get me to shut up! (They're nice about it, clearly it's in a "let the other kids have a chance" kind of way) Whenever I'm speaking and I can't think of how to express myself in English, my hands will find the words first. And when I'm with someone who understands, it feels so freeing!
One more time I wanna emphasize: Sign Language will help you communicate, but only with people who know sign language. And when you find those people, it is so worth it!
This goes for selective mutism, semi-verbalism, any sort of condition where someone who is generally able to communicate verbally loses the ability to do so
Vampire
Sources: SigningSavvy, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: vampire in American Sign Language. Hand in bent V handshape taps the side of the signers neck. Hand and mouth, which is depicted with fangs, are drawn in red. End ID]
Technology
Sources: SigningSavvy, Lifeprint, ASLDeafined
[Image ID: technology in American Sign Language. Hand in 8 handshape taps the side of base hand in open B handshape. Hands are robotic with frayed red wires coming out of the dominant hand's pinky finger. End ID]
Video & captioning by kerriclarkcreative This post features a video of a deaf individual using sign language to express her thoughts about streaming services. She highlights the convenience these platforms provide, allowing users to access a wide range of content from the comfort of their homes. She also shares her perspective that movie theaters may be facing extinction, as more people opt for the ease and flexibility of streaming. Captions are provided for hearing viewers to follow along with her insights.
Transcript: Regarding the future of streaming platforms, I strongly believe that movie theaters will see a decline in attendance. Instead, everything will be streamed at home. Streaming is more affordable and convenient; you can pause anytime, enjoy your own sound system, and eat your own food—all within your own space. This setup allows for a greater sense of control while enjoying movies with your family, partner, friends, or even by yourself. This is the future, and we are already living in that era.