What Are 5 Significant Reasons For Learning Sign Language
Yes, sign language is a missing element in our educational system. The uses of it are numerous and the learning of it so easy. It could be the most versatile language that you could ever learn. Here are 5 reasons why:
1. It Is All Around Us
There are literally millions of people in the United States alone that use sign language as their native language. The deaf community is very large, and is throughout the world. Because of the silence the language is spoken in, it can go unnoticed. So, if we go through our lives without hearing it why should we learn it? Because it is all around us. If you work at a fast food, or as a cashier, you will eventually encounter someone who signs. Though most that hail from the deaf community read lips fluently, the chance to interact in their own language is always welcomed. Have you ever been in a foreign country in which you knew a smidgen of the language, just enough to get by? When you hear your native tongue spoken, notice how your face brightens, and your eyes light up? You love to hear your native language. Those that use sign language also love to see their language used before their eyes.
2. It Is Easy To Learn
Sign language is one of the easiest languages to learn. So many of the signs are commonplace gestures. Children pick up on the signs quickly and are eager to use them. The fact that it is easy helps encourage the learning.
3. It Allows Silence
When sign language is used in the classroom, and even outside the classroom, noise levels drop dramatically. Teachers will find that when students begin to use sign language communication is not so painful on the ears and interruptions diminish.
4. It Becomes Exceedingly Useful
Sign language can be the most used language you learn. Need to communicate across a crowded room without shouting? Use sign language. Lose your voice? Use sign language. On the phone and need to communicate to someone in the room without breaking your conversation? Use sign language.
5. It Is Beautiful
I learned a few signs when I was young and watched Sesame Street on a regular basis. The alphabet was fun to learn, and I quickly learned it. When I was 13, my grandmother in her 90th year contracted pneumonia and had to have a breathing tube. She was attempting to communicate with her daughters and was getting frustrated. She glanced at me and it dawned on her that I knew a little sign language. She had learned it many decades ago and had always claimed to have forgotten it. She grabbed my hand and began signing furiously. Because I knew sign language, she was able to communicate about important papers before she passed away a few months later.
In college, most of my roommates were audiology majors. They were required to take 2 sign language classes. I wanted to know that they were saying. During that time I also worked as a cashier for Walmart. There was one customer who was deaf. He would get frustrated with the cashiers who would not tell him what his total was, so that he could read their lips. A few of the cashiers were not known for their politeness. When he realized that I knew a little sign language, he would try to look for me at a register. We had several good conversations. He was one of my greatest teachers as he corrected me and taught me knew words.
I had to go through surgery to remove my thyroid. The surgery had some complication, and when I woke up, I could not speak and my throat felt like it was on fire. Nausea began to creep up on me and the thought of throwing up right after throat surgery terrified me. I began signing to the nurses. Not one of them understood me. Terror rose up in me when finally one of them guessed what I was trying to communicate to them.
Resources Available
There are various resources available to learn sign language. The internet is full of various tools. There are books that are great to learn basic signs. Check out the DVD's that have been produced in the last few years that help visually show you how the signs work along with the facial expressions which are the "tone" of the language. Check out the local colleges and universities for classes on sign language.
- Start American Sign Language (ASL)
Take the first step and start learning American Sign Language...for free! ASL classes, dictionary, deaf culture info, baby signing, and more! - Signing Online - Learn American Sign Language
Signing Online provides interactive web-based instruction in American Sign Language (ASL). It allows you to learn ASL at your own pace, anywhere, anytime. - Learning American Sign Language ASL and Signed English (SE)
Index of free articles, reproducible lesson plans, and printable worksheets for teaching and learning American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English (SE). - ASL American Sign Language
Sign Language (ASL), free lesson plans, dictionary and resources. Information on Deaf culture, baby signing, phrases, and vocab like hello, thank you, I love you, etc. by Dr. Bill Vicars. - American Sign Language - ASL
HandSpeak is the leading sign language online, offering ASL dictionary, grammar, lessons, fingerspelling, Baby Sign, and storytelling.
Look Further Into This Gem
Sign language is a valuable tool. It is fun. It is useful. It is a beautiful language. It can be used anywhere, anytime. Learning Spanish is very useful. Learning Chinese is not a waste. Learning sign language could be the best decision you make.
