lifelong learning Signs of the Times: Learning American Sign Language By Emily Carter
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merican Sign Language, or ASL, is used by approximately one million people across the United States and some parts of Canada. However, the language isn’t exclusive to deaf and hard of hearing people; hearing people can use ASL as well.
What is ASL? “American Sign Language is like any other language really. It has [its] own grammar rules. It has its own syntax and cultural envelopment. You also have people who sign in certain ways. Typically, it’s used in America… but also [in] Canada, but it’s not international,” said Brian Leffler, an American Sign Language lecturer at the University of Georgia. Different countries and regions around the world have their own versions or variations of sign language. Experts think there are around 135 types of sign language used around the world. According to Sign Language Interpreter for Prince William County Schools Tracey Mann-Gramajo, ASL is most similar to French Sign Language, because both languages use only one hand to sign the alphabet. Other languages, such as British Sign Language, use two hands to spell. Other countries’ signs may also differ from ASL as well. “It’s not all on your hands… There’s a lot of body movement and non-manual markers… [There’s] different facial expressions that can differentiate between [words],” said Mann-Gramajo.
Why You Should Use ASL Learning ASL can bridge the gap between hearing and deaf people. Just because someone is fluent in English doesn’t mean they can clearly communicate between someone who is deaf and hard of hearing. ASL is its own beautiful language completely separate from English or other spoken languages. “It's really quite different [from] spoken words or, linear languages such as sound-based languages. So, the brain really does differentiate [between visual and spoken language],” Leffler said. “So, let's say if a hearing person is to learn using another part of their brain, which is really neat, then you can go ahead and talk pretty much underwater. So that's a bonus…you could pretty much speak with other people using that method. So really the language itself, it's pretty much poetry. It’s really beautiful, and it can’t even compare to the English language in general.”
Sign language can also be helpful in situations where it would be difficult to speak with others. “I wish that my family knew sign language, because you know when you’re brushing your teeth and you want to say something… and you can’t, or you’re eating and have food in your mouth. You’re at an event and across the room you want to tell somebody something. It just makes life easier if you know sign language; you can communicate when spoken language isn’t an option,” MannGramajo said.
Where to Learn ASL American Sign Language is taught at some schools but isn’t counted as a foreign language. If you’re interested in learning American Sign Language, here are a few places that help you learn the language as well as information about the deaf community. Northern Virginia Community College is offering ASL 101, that teaches basic vocabulary, syntax, fingerspelling and grammatical non-manual signals. The class also gives students an overview of the culture and insight into the deaf community. Currently, the class is taking place on Zoom. The college also offers other courses that focus on number spelling, interacting with members of the deaf community and literature from the deaf community. Signing Online is a website that teaches students ASL and offers different courses depending on your knowledge of ASL. Each course has lessons that can teach people anything from the basics to (continues on page 29) prince william living November 2020
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