Posted on Feb 20, 2026 by paul
One of the biggest “lightbulb moments” for ASL learners happens when they realize this truth: In American Sign Language, grammar doesn’t live on paper—it lives on the body. Unlike English, which relies on word order and written symbols, ASL uses space, direction, and movement to show who did what to whom, when it happened, and how ideas […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 19, 2026 by paul
One of the first things new ASL learners notice is that something feels… missing. Where are the words is, am, and are? If you’re used to English, this can feel strange at first. But here’s the important truth: ASL doesn’t need “is, am, are” to be clear, grammatical, or complete. Let’s break down why. ASL Is Not English […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 18, 2026 by paul
If you’ve been learning American Sign Language for a while, you’ve probably heard the phrase “conceptually accurate signing.”It gets used a lot—but it’s not always clearly explained. So what does it actually mean?And why does it matter so much when learning ASL? Let’s break it down in a way that finally makes sense. Conceptually Accurate ≠ Word-for-Word One […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 17, 2026 by paul
If you’re new to American Sign Language, you’ve probably thought this at least once: “Why does ASL feel backward?” You’re not imagining it — ASL word order is different from English. But here’s the good news: it isn’t backward at all. It’s just organized around meaning, not English sentence structure. Once you understand why ASL is structured the way […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 16, 2026 by paul
If you’ve ever been told, “That’s English on the hands,” you’ve encountered English interference. English interference is one of the most common—and most frustrating—challenges for people learning American Sign Language (ASL). The good news? It’s completely normal. Even better news? Once you understand it, you can start fixing it. Let’s break it down. What Is English Interference? English […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 13, 2026 by paul
When people first start learning American Sign Language (ASL), they often focus on handshapes, movement, and vocabulary. That makes sense — it’s where most learners begin. But there’s something just as important (and often misunderstood): Facial expressions in ASL are not “extra.” They are grammar. If you remove facial expressions from ASL, you don’t just lose […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 12, 2026 by paul
When people think of “world languages,” they often picture Spanish, French, German, or Mandarin. American Sign Language (ASL) is frequently grouped into that same category — but ASL is fundamentally different from spoken languages in ways that surprise many learners. So what really sets ASL apart? Let’s break it down. ASL Is a Visual Language […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 11, 2026 by paul
Learning American Sign Language isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary—it’s about how you sign. One of the most powerful (and underrated) tools for improving your ASL skills is something almost everyone already has at home: a mirror. Signing in front of a mirror may feel a little awkward at first, but it can completely transform the way you learn, […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 10, 2026 by paul
Learning ASL doesn’t require long study sessions or hours of practice. In fact, consistent, short practice is one of the most effective ways to build confidence and fluency. Even five minutes a day can make a real difference—especially for busy students, teachers, parents, and lifelong learners. Here are simple, realistic ASL practice ideas you can do anywhere, anytime. 1. […]
Read MorePosted on Feb 09, 2026 by paul
One of the first surprises for ASL learners is realizing that there isn’t always just one “correct” sign for an English word. You might learn a sign in class, see a different version online, and then watch a Deaf signer use another one entirely — and suddenly wonder, “Wait… which one is right?” The short answer? They all might be. […]
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