I had my first proper sign language conversation last week. Only to find how much I had forgotten and how badly I learnt it in the first place. I “self-taught” myself sign language a couple of years ago.
Honestly I have never found the need to learn sign language; and have been described as totally lip, meaning I only lip read. (and use subtitles of course). The fellow signer was completely surprised that I had not been taught sign language at school – he was, and he went to a public school. Is this a service schools are supposed to provide if you are deaf? I had never thought about it?
Inspired upon meeting this guy I was amazed at the power signing had – lip and signing go hand in hand – there is so much expression – maybe I have lost out on a lot. So post-exams, I’m going to be hard at work – getting my sign language, further than a few cute phrases.
Upon reading comments on other blogs, I’ve realised a lot a law students are learning, wanting to learn sign language, so I wanted to ask – How does everyone go about doing this? and what makes it easy? and how often do they actually use sign language – actually anything they want to tell me about their experiences would be interesting. Or even another language – I’ve not acquired language skills – my greatest failing as a lawyer2b probably.
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Trouty
ReplyDeleteI've wanted to learn sign language for a while... mainly because there were a few kids in my year group at school who communicated using sign language and I felt I was really missing out on some good gossip! You're right signing is very expressive and sometimes I could understand if they were talking about something sad or very exciting. Its the stuff in between thats more difficult to understand but thats the same with any language. Even if you don't understand it... you still get a sense of whats going on. Take my Mum for example... shes quite happy watching films in French, German, Spanish, etc - it doesn't matter that she doesn't understand a single word! Theres so many ways of communicating... its so often not just verbal/visual.
I'm sorry I have a tendency to babble... the reason I wanted to learn sign language (and other languages) was to understand the bits inbetween and to put someone at ease. Most importantly I'd like to learn Punjabi properly (so I can confidently hold a conversation with my elders and have a proper argument over politics, religion or some other topic which warrants endless discussion).
Speaking the same language as someone... makes such a huge difference as to the way they interact with you. I have met people who are pleasent when speaking in English but are much more welcoming when learning that I can understand their language because it allows them to express themselves more freely (and more confidently, I suppose).
I brought a Spanish CD thing from WHSmith... have not actually tried it yet and the CD and accompanying book has been sitting on my bookshelf for almost 2 years! I'm thinking of joining a language class... but have not got the time (or the ability to concentrate) right now!
xx
Dear travisthetrout,
ReplyDeleteI just realised that I have shortened your name to "Trouty". Sorry - I have a bad habit of shortening people's names.
AW x
AW,
ReplyDeletefirstly i don't mind trouty its cute. the full name sounded so formal in your second comment. lol.
thank you for your thoughts :) Totally agree with expressive nature of language not just being about understanding, I love foreign movies always so much passion. Speaking the family language would be good :) I've been tempted to learn in case I ever meet my mother as she doesn't speak English - but I guess part of me doesn't one to in case I never get the chance to meet her.
I went travelling last year in the hope I'd rediscover some of my language skills that I had learnt in school - didn't happen. My BF started learning japanese last year and I did that with him. That was fun as a project.
I am hoping to start a class in September if I can find one.
x