Category Archives: ASL Discussions

Benefits of Learning American Sign Language (ASL)

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There are a wide variety of benefits to learning American Sign Language (ASL). Some might think that there is no point to studying ASL if they are not deaf or do not know others who are. Would it stop you from learning Spanish just because you are not of Spanish decent or have no plans to travel there? That would be unfortunate, because you never know what the future will bring and the endless opportunities that may be presented to you. Sure, if you do not live in an area where much of the population speaks a second language like Spanish, you may feel it is not worth your while. Yet, there are deaf people everywhere you go, in every city, state, country and continent across the globe.

Should you take the opportunity to learn ASL through an online program you are opening up an entirely new world for yourself! One of the obvious advantages is that you are developing the valuable skills and knowledge of a second language. A more unique advantage is that you are crossing through a door into a new culture and can make connections that many others do not have access to. You never know when you might meet people who are deaf and the positive outcomes that may result. If you learn to communicate with American Sign Language, you can use those skills to enrich your life through a deeper involvement in deaf culture.

Beyond the personal benefits of broadening your scope of friends and contacts, there are worthwhile professional aspects to consider as well. Perhaps you will decide to pursue a career in sign language as an interpreter or teacher for the deaf? Need a more practical, immediate incentive? ASL is an interesting alternative to the traditional languages offered for meeting the two-year language requirement. Still not convinced? Think about the fact that if you and a friend learn sign language through an online program you could communicate secretly with each other in the middle of a crowded, quiet room and no one would be the wiser (unless they know it too J). Besides, learning American Sign Language is fun! Try it and you will see.

What is the Connection Between Loud Music and American Sign Language (ASL)?

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Just a few days ago, I was stopped at a traffic light at a busy intersection, when a slightly modified muscle car pulled up beside me.  A hole had been cut through the car’s hood and some air intake piece had been installed.   The motor was making a loud, horrific noise as if we were at the starting line at the drag strip.  Above all the noise, two teenaged male occupants had the radio cranked up so loudly that the thumping vibrated the windows in my Buick LeSabre.  I’m sure all of you reading this have experienced a similar situation.  The two imitated the playing of drums on the steering wheel and the dashboard.   I figured they were not taking any musical requests from the public, nor any other requests, for that matter.

As much as it was sort of entertaining   and humorous to watch the two “jamming” to the music, I started thinking how they have taken their precious gift of hearing, for granted.  Have they ever thought what life would be like should they lose that gift?  What if the ringing in their ears over the next few years diminished their ability to clearly understand communication?   How would their lives change?

Isn’t the ability to hear a miraculous wonder?  However, many people do things on a daily basis that may damage their hearing.  I know of one man who as a teenager, worked alongside his dad and siblings on what’s called a “buzz rig”, which is a device attached to the back of a tractor and long tree limbs and logs are placed on a moveable table.  When the table is tiled forward, a huge blade cuts the wood into chunks for the fireplace or wood stove.   The loud, “screaming” sounds of the saw blade passing through the log caused so much ear damage that many members of that family lost their hearing before the age of 21.  I know that family well.

Think of the athletics, and casual users, who seem to be abusing their hearing on a daily basis by using ear plugs to amplify the sounds into their ear canals.  Many parents have requested that their child use headphones when they listen to the music at home so the rest of the family doesn’t have to be subjected to the abuse of “Twisted Sister”, but are they aware of the damage that may be taking place?

Last week, I took particular notice at the gym of almost everyone with some sort of listening device shoved into their ear canal.  Because of this, many people with perfectly good hearing are damaging this gift of hearing.  Loud noises are known to damage a person’s ability to hear with 100% accuracy, and as the years pass, there will be more and more individuals who realize a severe decrease in their ability to comprehend what’s being spoken to them.

Young people often have this idea that their hearing is indestructible, but those who have abused their hearing by listening to loud music, or by being subjected to loud noises, will tell you otherwise.

Safeguard YOUR ability to hear!!   There are MANY reasons for a person to be deaf or hard-of-hearing, but subjecting yourself to loud noises does not have to be one of them.   Exploding loud music directly into the eardrum is not only dangerous, but it is downright foolish.

The next time you see somebody at the traffic light with the music blaring; it may not be because he likes to play it loud.   It could be that he has lost his precious gift to hear at the normal volume.   Perhaps you would like to print this article and place it in the door, or on the windshield, of someone you love while there still is time.

Why Learn American Sign Language?

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American Sign Language has to be one of the most fascinating languages to learn. But, why learn it, especially if you don’t know anyone who is deaf? Many people have decided to learn American Sign Language for personal satisfaction, while others learn so they can communicate with a family member, friend, or a loved one that happens to be deaf. Some decide to learn American Sign Language as a preparatory measure in the event they encounter deaf people while working in their particular profession.

One of our very first subscribers to ASLdeafined was a young man who wrote us an e-mail, stating he wanted to learn sign language because he had fallen in love with a deaf girl and they had started dating. He said he needed to learn how to communicate with her. The reasons for learning how to sign are many, and as varied. Why do you want to learn ASL, and what will you do with the language once you acquire some skill with it? Some people have decided to make it a profession, either by becoming a teacher for the deaf, or to become an interpreter. As many of you may know, there is a huge shortage of qualified and certified interpreters in the United States.

Some people have joined established groups of friends who have an interest in learning ASL. Working with a group is often a great way to continue the motivation to learn. We receive e-mails fairly frequently from folks who are interested in forming groups at church, work, or for a variety of reasons.

For those who have already learned ASL, in what ways were you grateful for knowing this amazing language? For me, I have met some wonderful deaf people and have many friends because of this language that broke down the barrier to communication. There have even been times when I was able to communicate with a deaf person who was far away, but in the same general area. Signing to them made it easy to ask questions, or to simply have communication (and in deaf culture, that is not considered to be rude). As well, I’ve worked with many deaf people in the professional setting, too.

As an educator, I have been approached by many teachers who have inquired about their students learning sign language because of disabilities, or for a variety of other reasons. Some of those students may have been diagnosed with autism, or another type of learning disability. Personally, anyone can learn American Sign Language. However, it does take a bit of practice, and practicing with a friend makes it much easier to learn, and socializing with a member of the deaf community is even better. It really helps you to not only practice, but to refine your skills and knowledge with this wonderful new language.
American Sign Language is a great language to learn, and a tremendous skill to possess. Please share with us your stories that made you grateful for learning ASL. And, if you would like to know about a certain topic in American Sign Language, please let us know. We are here to share both your and our experiences and knowledge, as they pertain to advancing your communicating skills with ASL.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog, and “Thank You” for being a part of our wonderful class of learners.