#sign language class

[pixoplanet]

It's September 23rd, International Sign Language Day. The United Nations instituted this event in 2018 to commemorate the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)’s founding in 1951. The objective is to raise awareness of sign languages and deaf culture and to promote the acceptance of sign languages as deaf people’s basic human rights. The event has grown into a global movement to resolve the many issues deaf people face in their everyday lives and is celebrated through various activities by respective Deaf Communities worldwide.

These activities call for participation and involvement of various stakeholders including families, peers, governmental bodies, professional sign language interpreters, Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs), and concerned people all over the globe. All of us are invited to unite in endorsement of the need to secure and promote the human rights of deaf people. Please affirm your support for full human rights for all deaf people by signing the WFD Charter on Sign Language Rights for All at https://wfdeaf.org/charter.

Sign languages are visual languages that transmit messages. The 72 million deaf people on our planet use over 300 distinct natural sign languages, although there is also an international sign language that deaf people use when mingling, traveling, and attending international meetings. The international sign language is considered to be a pidgin form because it isn't as complex as the natural sign languages and has a limited lexicon.

Sign languages have been used by deaf people throughout history. Plato’s “Cratylus,” published in the 15th century BCE, has one of the oldest recorded accounts of sign language. Socrates also commented on the utility of sign languages: “If we didn’t have a voice or a tongue and wanted to communicate with one another, wouldn’t we try to make signals by moving our hands, heads, and the rest of our bodies?” Naturally. ☮️ Peace… Jamiese of Pixoplanet

[learnasl]

How American Sign Language has Evolved Over Time

During the past decades, American Sign Language transformed mainly by means of face-to-face interaction. Yet presently, a whole new signed word can easily spread out like wildfire on social media platforms like YouTube or TikTok.

This article examines the transformations occurring in ASL, largely attributed to the extensive use of smartphones and video technology. As a result of these advancements, there has been a substantial increase in American Sign Language communications.

Early Development Stages of American Sign Language

American Sign Language was developed in the early 19th century at the American School for the Deaf (ASD) in West Hartford, Connecticut, through language connection with English. Ever since then, the usage of ASL has been widely disseminated by Deaf schools and Deaf community groups throughout the United States and beyond.

During its initial stages, French Sign Language significantly affected American Sign Language, but it wasn't formalized or standardized right up until 1817. The volume of ASL users these days is estimated at 500,000, but it might be a lot higher.

Methods of Learning ASL Now Versus Before

During the past decades, receiving face-to-face instruction from educators, tutors, close friends, or relatives was practically the only way to learn ASL. But in the present day, many method of learning the language are readily available, such as the following.

Participating in a face-to-face classroom setting

Enrolling in an internet based virtual course

Acquiring knowledge through online video tutorials

Signing up for a Deaf club or an ASL group

Visiting a Deaf café

Getting a personal tutor

Watching and mimicking interpreters

Utilizing an educational application and

Being taught by Deaf family members or friends

Regardless of what method of learning ASL you choose, it is necessary to have fun and work together frequently with many other ASL users. This process will speed up your language procurement and facilitate your access to the D/HoH community.

Impact of Phones on ASL

The cell phone has brought a considerably less remarkable impact on American Sign Language. Then again, when mobile phones began to feature video displays (i.e. smartphones),this situation changed immensely.

Impact of Video Technology on ASL

Video technology has empowered ASL users to connect more easily and teach the language to lots more people. It also increases the possiblity to rapidly create and circulate brand new signs that reflect either modifications in technology or completely new modes of acting and thinking.

Influence of Social Media on ASL

These days, thriving ASL communities can be found on YouTube, TikTok, and various other social media networks.

The Current State of American Sign Language

Shrinking of Signs

To fit the small spaces of video and cell phone screens, words usually signed with both hands might currently be signed with just one. These particular kinds of changes only sit well with some ASL users.

New Signed Words

In earlier times, ASL evolved through face-to-face interaction. Now, a whole new signed word spreads rapidly on social networking platforms.

Preserving American Sign Language

Whatever issues might develop as ASL grows, preserving the language for future generations is vital. Doing this can help to safeguard Deaf culture and ensure that Deaf/HoH people have access to their method of self-expression and communication in the decades to come.

[puddleslimewrites]

Communication Error

Hero frowned. They signed with their hands as they spoke. "They don't have this on record."

Villain shrugged and signed back, "I doubt they think this is something 'important'."

"Of course it's important! There's such a huge difference between everyone thinking you're an asshole or just quiet and shy when you literally can't verbalize things." Hero abandoned their signs, hands waving in the air as they expressed their frustration.

"...I can speak."

Hero was startled. They turned to face Villain again. Their voice was so low they barely caught the words.

"I can't hear myself too well, but I can speak."

Hero blinked. "Oh. Oh. Hard of hearing, not mute?"

Villain nodded.

"Oh, I'm so sorry for assuming, then. It's still ridiculous, though! Surely they should have that on file and send someone appropriate to be your nemesis. I'm just a substitute! This shouldn't happen-" Their previous rant continued and Villain appreciated the expressive signs so they could easily nod along.

[sloppy-syrup]

Pb&J Duo Moment 💜🧡

I’m taking an beginners ASL class and I wanted to draw them doing what I learned!!

I think my grammar’s off tho whoops-

Shhhh let’s just say Mikey’s grammar is wrong cause he doesn’t know it that well it’s totally not that idk how to use asl grammar

ALSO HAND PRACTICE CAUSE I NEED TO GET BETTER AT THEIR HANDS

[thatdeadaquarius]

Heyo, Idk if you still do sagau but I hope you do 🙏🙏 anyway, this is lowkey wholesome but imagine one of acolytes were trying to communicate with a child but then they realize the child is deaf but reader so happened to be nearby. So then, whatever the character is saying the reader translates into sign language and its just a wholesome sight to see. Btw srry if this isn't what you usually write 😓 add anything to this if you want

OH NO THIS IS EXACTLY ALL THAT I WRITE RN ANON DW MY LOVE 😍

(*update: im so stupid i thought ur sunglasses pfp was a anon and didnt look any closer💀i aint livin this one down)

(Spoiler: i do plan to do imagines for other fandoms bc i have such niche AUs or ideas for them, a lot like this whole language stuff for Genshin Sagau :D )

IVE WANTED TO LEARN ASL FOR SO LONG BUT I HAVENT GOTTEN THE CHANCEEE theres no classes for it where i live ;/

THAT IS TO SAY I LIVEEE FOR COMMUNICATION STUFFFFF

Also srry its kinda short i just could only think of this cute little scenario- 😗

Rest in peace bc i have a whole fat post i wanna make about neurodivergence + general accessibility issues in Teyvat and their countries

Like where r the ramps babe

Where r the non-narrow ass doors

Why r we just constantly made to hike up mountains when we dont have to

And dont come at me with that,

"Theyre in their medieval age! They cant make stuff like that!"

Yeah, u right, they cant.

If they dont be ✨️creative ✨️and they dont use their fucking ✨️magic ✨️

Liyue got floating rocks and they cant make a goddamn disability elevator?? Bitch tf?

THAT IS TO SAY IN A VERY RANTING COUGHPASSIVE AGGRESSIVE AT GENSHIN COMMUNITY FOR NOT REPPING DISABILITIES MORECOUGH

WAY OF SAYINGGGG

Literally almost no one gets sign language in Teyvat

(despite the fact that in my perfect teyvat, sign lang. is superior bc everyone could make it the universal lang. ESP if we go by the cool AU of diff countries have diff languages, like Germanish lang for Mondstadt, Frenchish for Fontaine, etc.)

Off topic again srry-

◇

But you took a class once!! Or even checked out the alphabet and casual convo on ur own time :D

So u just chillin with Kazuha, Thoma, Sara, Gorou, and Kokomi (they vistin the main island to see u!! :] )

Meanwhile a little girl is walking around nearby, and is kinda going in circles

Almost like shes scared to go too far one way or the other,

So being the caring soul he is, (rlly all these boys here rn would notice and help lol)

Thoma comes up to her and squats down trying to talk to her :)

...

Yeah, she didn't say anything, just kinda,,

Motioned with her hands??

She looks like shes doing some kind of code to them..

Oh!

Thoma finally recognized this, its that hand language!! lmao hes got the spirit

so he asks Kazuha to try and see if he knows it or can even figure it out-

Nope. Nada de nada.

Then Kokomi, Sara and Gorou (whos a sweatin nervous mess he doesnt know how to act around kids esp kids in distress he seems like the type lol)

They all fail, Kokomi looks concerned bc she thinks the kids lost, but there no frantic parents nearby, Sara is trying to slowly understand what motions mean what i.e. points to a rock = learn sign from child etc,

Kazuha is trying to get the wind to help locate upset guardians nearby, and Gorou...

... is just 🧍‍♂️

LMAOOO

◇

So after a minute of this (bc u had originally been away at a street food vender, hey those dango were rlly good dont judge urself)

U come back, and see this mild flavor of chaos-

And are just like

"Oh ffs- just shoo, i got it guys"

And just, slowly, go thru some signs with the little girl to get the keywords at least

She lights up and is like bouncing, she goes hella fast at first but slows down when she gets ur hearing

Either way, she looks a lot happier now

U explain for her to the others to confirm her parents got seperated from her

She got lost and where she last saw them

u finally help escort her to the street she last saw her parents on :] !!

◇

Meanwhile the whole allogene group, shopkeepers, and Inazumans around you:

😦😯🥰🥺💓💞💘💖

Kokomi is holding back a squeal, shes gotta keep up her image, ahem-

Sara is like,, minutely vibrating?? Lmao

Kazuha is watching u like a fireworks show, intensely and yet fascinated

GOROU'S TAIL IS KINDA WAGGINGGG AW LOL

And Thoma just looks like a puddle of affection, just absolutely melted (he loves kids + he secretly loves you = dead Thoma)

Other people look weirdly, proud? Like theyre like "yeah thats our god, fuck yeah, knowing diff languages, go off, Your Grace 💅 " LMAO SORRY COULDNT RESIST and also some fascination

♡

Anyway, 2 very stressed looking dads see yall and the girl and one of them run up to hold each other

She starts rapidly signing, explaining to her dads the adventure she had and the cool people she met <3

The dads look at u and r like 🤔😶😱 "YOUR MAJESTY??!!" (VIGOROUS HAND MOTIONS)

They sign like,

"We're terribly sorry about you seeing us like this, we usually are much more together than this, a crowd just swept her off, its very busy today. Thank you so much for helping our girl, my Lord!! 😭😭"

Theyre like almost crying, oh geez, u reassure them and sign back that it happens to any parent at some point and that is matters more that they tried to get her back :]

◇

Meanwhile the rest of the group and the citizens are just watching yall like its the most amazing Olympic level tennis match in the world LMAO

Heads all in sync, watchin yall like 👋👍🙏LMAO IM SORRY

AW IT SUCKS ABOUT WRITING BC I CANT RLLY DEPICT SIGN LANGUAGE AS COOL AS I CAN IN COMICS OR THRU ART

THE EMOJI HANDS NEED SIGN LANGUAGE DAMMIT-

♡

🎵 Hi, it's me. I'm the problem, it's me. 🎵

That is to say none of yalls asks r eaten up, at least im pretty sure? Dw abt it im chugging along having the time of my life hehe >:)

Yall are fEEDIN ME TONIGHT!!

Hope yall r having a good weekend and have no hw if ur in school, or i hope ur shift goes good tomorrow! :]

Love yall!!

Cheers,

🌒🌧🌊Aquarius♒️🌌🌘

♡the beloveds♡

@karmawonders / @0rah-s / @randomnatics / @glxssynarvi / @nexylaza / @genshin-impacts-me / @wholesomey-artist

[isawthe-sign]

It's time for another episode of Good Idea, Bad Idea

[Image ID: lightbulbs replace the 'o's in "good idea." Under that is the phrase "go to class early" in American Sign Language. Then the words "bad idea" with a lightbulb over the 'i'. Under that is the phrase "go to class naked" in American Sign Language. End ID]

[yutaleks]

Meet cute with Toji at the local cooking class

[dedalvs]

Could you please talk more about how/why agreement systems develop in language? I always feel that agreement systems are poorly justified in my conlanging

Agreement systems are retained in language because the redundancy strengthens the signal. It's better to think about linguistics systems in terms of "why didn't speakers get rid of this" as opposed to "why did this come about in the first place". Sometimes things happen randomly. They're retained because they're useful.

But like, consider gender in English. We used to have it. Gender was mostly defined by the endings of words. We lost all the endings. We lost some major forms of agreement (consider that French still has different articles). At a certain point, it was impossible to tell if a noun was m/f/n, so of course English lost its gender system. It was no longer useful. In fact, going even further, it was the opposite of useful, because it was totally unpredictable and didn't buy you anything.

As an example of the latter, there's this sign system called Signed Exact English (SEE). It's often (not always, but often) pedaled as a replacement for ASL, because it will "help" Deaf signers learn English. One of the features it retains is the distinction between "a" and "an". English speakers know how to do this instinctively: You use "a" before a noun phrase (not a noun, but a noun phrase) that begins with a consonant sound, and you use "an" before a noun phrase that begins with a vowel sound (so "umbrella" gets "an", but "union" gets "a"). In SEE, there's a separate sign for "a" and "an", and then ASL signs are used for English words like "man" and "old". So then you have to sign:

A MAN

AN OLD MAN

But, of course, the difference is based on the sound of the English pronunciation of the word the sign stands for, so it is quite literally impossible to predict for a Deaf signer. It has to be memorized. Which is an extraordinary task. Basically, all nouns, adjectives, and adverbs (consider "a really old man") have to be dumped in either the A class or the AN class with absolutely no way to predict which will be in which.

This is a great example of a feature that would quickly die in a natural language.

So looking at gender, the question is how useful is it? If it's (a) predictable, and (b) spread across multiple areas of the language, then it's more useful, and more likely to be retained. If you look at Spanish, agreement is present in pronouns, adjectives, demonstratives, and articles. The gender of a noun highly predictable (not 100%, but highly predictable). That's a stable gender system. French is similar, but the gender is less predictable for nouns. If one was going to lose gender first, you'd predict French. Even so, it's still predictable enough that more will probably have to happen for French to actually lose it.

As for where it comes from, if you want to read a detailed account of the development of Indo-European gender, this is an intro. Most of the time it's the incorporation of pronouns or small, generic nouns that become commonly associated with particular classes and are used as modifiers. We've got a pretty good example of the development of noun class in Sarkezhe, season 4 of LangTime Studio. If you want to see it done from beginning to end, check that out.

Hope that helps!

[dersandmannkommt]

*has loved sign language since childhood* *is more or less proficient in american sign language* *has studied and continues to study Deaf culture and its history* *has met and befriended many d/Deaf people*

*asks deaf person to repeat a fingerspelled word more than once*

omg now they hate me and they probably hate me for trying to learn their language and then failing at it so miserably and i should probably just switch majors and gosh they probably think im just another stupid hearing person. please i can do better i swear i didnt mean to disrespect you

every single deaf person that i have ever met: *does not care* *probably didn't even register any mistake i made* *understands that I am learning an entirely new language and am bound to need a bit of help*

[scribblemakes]

[ID: A collection of black and white sketches showing everyday objects that are haunted by little creatures. These creatures fill in gaps with black space and white dots for eyes /End ID]

As some of you might’ve seen: I’m no longer posting art on Twitter, so Tumblr is now the only social media I’ll be consistently posting art to. However: I’ll also be posting it to my website and possibly other social media platforms in the future.

I also post monthly sketch pages to my Patreon (April’s is on this post) with early access for Patrons, and I’m hoping to add more things to it soon!

Thanks everyone for your support (your tags mean a lot to me!) and I’ve put more of my thoughts in the tags.

[learnasl]

Rihanna's Sign Language Interpreter Justina Just Went Viral

Having sign language interpreters perform at music festivals and concerts is starting to become a major trend in the United States and worldwide. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for acts which range from Eminem to the Red Hot Chili Peppers are ever more common at musical events in the United States. I

With regards to the halftime performance at Super Bowl LVII, ASL interpreter Justina Miles offered D/HoH audience members a lot more than their money’s worth. Justina provided brilliant and thrilling sign language renditions of Rihanna’s music.

The 20-year-old Deaf ASL performer put together a display that equaled or perhaps surpassed Rihanna’s efforts, as she energetically and accurately interpreted all 12 songs in Rihanna’s set. CBS News went in as much as to mention Justina “stole the show at Super Bowl LVII.” She danced and articulated each powerful word in “B-- Better Have My Money,” and evoked the tone and spirit of the songs solely with the power of American Sign Language.

In addition to providing a highly acclaimed ASL version of Rihanna’s halftime set, Justina also interpreted “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” sung just before kickoff by US actor and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph.” This moving song, composed in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, is regarded as the Black national anthem, and served as a rallying cry for the US Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and ’60s.

Justina Miles’ efforts at the 2023 Super Bowl substantially increased the visibility of ASL at huge public gatherings. They even increased awareness in regards to the value of having sign language interpreters work in public settings and presenting the D/HoH community in the media.

During a press conference held a week before the game, Justina defined the presentation as a significant moment: “Not only for me to share this experience with the whole world, but to really bring that empowerment to millions and millions of Black Deaf people all over the country who’ve never really seen that before. I feel that is truly lifting every voice, even my voice.”

Just as shown by the fascinating work of Justina Miles during the 2023 Super Bowl, sign language interpreters at musical events do a lot more than render the songs’ lyrics. They additionally use their bodies to convey the songs’ pulse, musicality and feeling to Deaf and Hard-of-hearing audience members. In this way, they carry out a beneficial service to the whole world by helping make the concert-going experience more accessible and enjoyable for a lot of music enthusiasts. Additionally, sign language interpreters help promote greater inclusivity for the D/HoH members of society, thus enhancing their lives and the quality of global culture.

Thereby, American Sign Language interpreters plus the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing population deserve more significant coverage in the mainstream media and broader inclusion in the entertainment industry.

[arcanewebs]

does. anyone else experience the language learning pipeline of like

yeah why not seems kinda fun -> (optional step) the writing system is crazy bro -> damn theres no WAY im gonna remember any of this shit -> genuine interest and fascination with the differences between languages and needing to Know more

and its because of the stupidest reason for starting learning it in the first place

[darlin-djarin]

hey what the hell

[nando161mando]

[giggly-squiggily]

OKAY OKAY SO-

I am so obsessed w this headcanon and I’d love to see your thoughts on it.

So we’ve all seen the headcanons that Bakugo learns sign language because his quirk is affecting his hearing.

BUT MAY I PRESENT-

Bakugo learns sign language because Denki can’t comprehend spoken word when he short circuits real bad. In this essay I will-

{Headcanons to Dabbles: CLOSED!}

DUCKY YOUR MIND IS AMAZING! Oh man- I've always loved the idea of Bakugou with a hearing disability and using accommodations like hearing aids, but him knowing sign language too? YES! And Denki being able to comprehend it when words don't work- THAT'S BRILLIANT! I love this and I love you- I've gotcha covered!

“Look- one day you might go deaf with that quirk of yours. Better to learn this stuff just in case.”

“I’m gonna go deaf with your constant yelling, hag!”

“WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY YOU LITTLE-”

Bakugou winced at the memory, shaking his head as he watched Denki come too- short circuited and dazed. They were doing a training exercise to expand on their limits, and the electric hero had officially met his. “Sparky- you good?”

No response. Not that Bakugou expected one- Denki’s brain was too fried to comprehend anything verbally. It was as if the connection from his ears to his brain was damaged-

….hm.

“Denki.” Bakugou walked over, turning the blonde so he was facing him. With a sigh, he raised his hands.

“Denki- you short circuited again. We need to get out of here before you get hurt.” As he spoke, Bakugou used his hands to make the sign of each word- the same way he learned in his class. “Walk towards me.”

At first, there wasn’t much change. Maybe Denki’s head was still too fuzzy? Then the blonde nodded, walking towards Bakugou with a newfound assurance.

“Holy- it freaking worked.” The explosive hero was stunned. When Denki paused, Bakugou continued. “We’re heading to the door to the left. I’ll take your hand and guide you. Nod if you understand.” As he finished signing, Denki nodded. Something released in Bakugou’s chest as he reached out, grabbing him by the wrist and making their way to the doors.

~~~

“Hey- Bakugou! When’d you learn sign language?” Denki bounced over a few hours later, himself once more. “Can you teach me? I wanna learn!”

“Tch- stop asking so many questions! I was forced to learn it.” Bakugou looked away, suddenly flustered at the questions. Of COURSE he remembered that part. “Don’t worry about it- the point is, it worked.”

“Aww, is someone shy?” Denki grinned, leaning back when Bakugou glared daggers. “Okay okay- I’ll drop it. But, really. I wanted to say thank you. You helped me out alot with that.”

“Sparky-”

“No one really knows how to talk to me when I short circuit. It’s really scary not being able to understand what's being said.”

“I just-”

“Thanks to you- now I know I can communicate with someone when I short circuit real bad! That’s really comforting-”

“Denki!” Bakugou barked, face on fire. “Just- stop it.”

The electric hero blinked before smiling, something warm in that expression. “Definitely shy. Hey- Katsuki.”

“What?” Bakugou turned to him, blinking when Denki raised his hands.

Thank you. He signed. The movement was a bit hesitant but legit. Then Denki blew him a kiss before heading back to his dorm room.

Bakugou blinked before slamming his head against the table, letting out a muffled scream. 

Hidden against the wooden surface, a small, proud smile pulled on his lips soon after.

[lightblueminecraftorchid]

Sex-related words I have learned in ASL class because someone signed something innocuous incorrectly:

- Horny (similar to hungry)

- Have sex (similar to meet)

- Condom (similar to month)

- Vagina (similar to dish)

- Penis (similar to pink/an incorrect name sign)

- Sex (similar to recently)

If I had a nickel for every time this happened, I’d have 6 nickels. Which isn’t a lot but dang 6 was more than I was expecting.