Do you think learning sign language is a good idea?

Question

It has been something I have wanted to do for years and know that I am married with children I want something I can do for me. I dont know any deaf people but I have always thought that it is a good skill to have.

What do you think?

Answer 1

yes of course.  the brain is like a muscle, if you dont use it you lose it, so any learning is good.  

Answer 2

I suppose so, but who would you practise it on when you had learned it?

I would say be better to learn something more practical.

Answer 3

Personally, I believe that if there is a language on Earth that could help us toward world peace, it would be sign language. 1) since sign language incorporates body language, it's allot harder to lie. 2) it's far more universal for the same reason and crosses cultural barriers far more easily than any of the spoken languages.

You go, girl!!!!!

Answer 4

I've always wanted to do it and if I had the teacher/recourses I would. Go for it. It's like CPR, something good to know just in case.

Answer 5

Nah. s***w deaf people. Learn to drive a tank instead.

Answer 6

Always worthwhile doing.

All the very best.

Answer 7

Yes,  it's  a  brilliant  idea.

You  can  even  work  for  a  tv   station.

bye.

Answer 8

I think learning a new skill is great and I am really happy to hear that you want to learn a new skill.

I do, however, believe that people are more focused, devote more time and energy if they have a purpose.

I would therefore suggest that you start with WHY you want to learn a certain skill>

If you envisage yourself, after your children have all started school, working in helping deaf people then, yes, it is a great skill to have.

Otherwise, if you feel that you are unlikely to enter this line of work, consider skills which you might need.  Computer skills are always useful and most people have more than one common Windows application which they cannot use fluently (even if you think you can).  Language and communication is always useful so any language-relaed courses would be essential (by this I mean English).

In short, gaining new skills is fantastic, but please think about what is most useful for your future.

Nick

:)

Answer 9

it is worthwhile doing whilst it is not essential it is useful just in case you ever need to deal with a deaf person plus it gives you another skill  

Answer 10

Entertainer -

It's good to hear from you and I think you should totally give it a shot. I started off taking Sign Language in college and never looked back. Like you - I didn't know any deaf people and my best friend and I started to take it so we could communicate underwater during our diving trips. Before long we were asked to be deaf children camp counselors and it just kept on rolling from there. 8 years later and at least 4 of my friends also know sign language, whenever we go out to a decent club or loud bar we revert to sign language like it's second nature.

I think it comes in handy a heck of a lot more then you may realize. It is such a valuable tool when it comes to customer service or even helping out a deaf or hard of hearing person when they're trying to communicate with someone who doesn't understand sign language.

Give it a shot - the biggest piece of advice I can offer you is to put some energy into the signing aspect. Sure, you can stand there and sign 'My name is ...' or you can get a little more involved into it and start out with 'Hey, how's it going? My name is .... and it's good to be here' so on and so forth. When you truly want to become the language, that's when you'll see the true rewards of your labor.

Good luck!

Mongoose

Answer 11

It is always handy to learn a new language, especially sign language. You never know when it could come in handy, like someone or yourself being in an accident or someone has a child/ marries a deaf person, or if you make friends with someone deaf.

Answer 12

Definitely, learn as much as you can - whatever it is.

Answer 13

Are u kidding me? Absolutely! I know sign language myself! My high school started taking in deaf aka "hearing impaired" people, and from there I learned sign language, myself. 4 years it took. It's been 5 and a half year now.. It's a wonderful language, "hearing impaired" are talented too. In performing shows, with gestures.. They are really entertaining and wonderful to watch. It helps a lot if u mixed around with deaf people.

~Hey good luck!:)

Answer 14

Extra knowledge is always good. If you have the chance of learning something, grab it and do it. It doesn't hurt and it's one more thing to add to your CV.

As you are an English speaker, try to learn some language like German, which is "closer" to English than any other language. Avoid Latin-based languages as it is much harder to learn and it would take much longer.

Answer 15

i would learn spanish instead..much more useful.

but sign language is cool too, i guess.

Answer 16

Totally, i want to learn it! Its always a useful skill to have and you never know when you mgiht need it and could help someone else, also if looking for jobs it can be on your list!

I say go for it, why not! A great skill and you can also start teaching your children and they can get involved too!

Answer 17

I did it when I was in my twenties and I really enjoyed it. It's very interesting and you never know when you might need it. Maybe someday you could even volunteer some where like the hospital or something and help people. I work in a hospital and have found it quite useful at time. Good luck to you!!!

Answer 18

never hurts.  You never know when you're going to encounter a deaf person who will be pleasantly relieved that you can communicate with them

Answer 19

It's brilliant! I've been doing it for about 4 years and I use it all the time. It's amazing how many people you can help, even just in shops and things! It's a great skill to have, it's really fun to learn and you end up being part of a community that most people don't even know exists!

Answer 20

Learning is always a good idea, specially if it is something you are interested in.  

Answer 21

A great idea. My wife wants to do this but nothing available locally at the moment.

Go for it !