How can I teach my self sign language?

Question

I want to teach myself sign language, any good books or instruction programs. Is sign language internationally understood by deaf people, is there an international system?

Answer 1

There isn't sign language that is universal but the US uses ASL primarily. Start by teaching yourself the alphabet, this will help if you are communicating with a deaf individual you can see spell the word you want to sign.

Then do what little kids learning language do, learn words that pertain to you and your daily life. For example, learn functional words (bathroom, drink, eat, help, book, stop, sleep, want, take there, give me, thank you, etc.) this will help since you can use them in everyday convos. After you have a good 50-100word set vocab, add adjectives (slow, fast, blue, red, yellow, black, white, green, big, small, etc.) You'll be able to string thoughts together.

As you are learning the alphabet, then your functional words and adjectives, keep a running list of words that you come across and want to know what the sign is. Look them up using www.aslpro.com and use the words at least once a day.

Answer 2

You'll love this, instant results.  The ASL Browser shows videos of signs in a quicktime format.  You could at least pick up some single words today!   The videos are listed by word alphabetically.

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/...

Answer 3

Sign language for dummies?

Answer 4

go to trhe library and  get sign launge books mabe that would help

Answer 5

I took an ASL class in college & the professor gave us an awesome website to ude for studying as well as expanding our vocab beyond the classroom, check out http://www.aslpro.com

Answer 6

The book we used was called The Joy of sign. But you could also go to your local book store or ask about it at your local community collage. After you get well versed in it, your best bet would be to go ask about volunteering at a special education preschool, those kids are all just learning also and the teachers will be most helpful and grateful that you are trying to learn.

And good luck, you are a great person.

Answer 7

yes it is. i am self taught as well. i have known sign language for about 11 years. i am now wanting to be a sign interpreter. i learned by friends and books. and the best website to learn sign is aslpro.com it is the best. there are more than 7,000 signs u can learn. so yea. good luck!

Answer 8

a book store has books on it. otherwise search online for an internet site that teches you or that sells a program to teach you. also you could find someone who knows it to teach you. hope it helps and good luck!