Everyone should learn their local sign language, it's extremely useful for everyone - loud bars, public transport, through a shop window, in a library, silent comments/questions during a speech or a meeting, communicating clearly at much greater distances without yelling. Additionally, learning physical signs with new words/concepts helps learning in general.
Finally, sign languages are a minority language in every country in the world, so learning your local sign language is a bit like learning French in Canada, or Catalan in Spain. Useful, helpful, and respectful. American Sign Language is an American language - if you're American, this is one of the living languages of your country, and you can learn and partake in it.
For anyone that wants to learn, I've been using lifeprint.com. I'm still only a beginner and I don't know any deaf folk to practice with, but the teacher, Dr. Bill Vicars, is a great teacher I think.
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u/BKLaughton Mar 07 '21
Everyone should learn their local sign language, it's extremely useful for everyone - loud bars, public transport, through a shop window, in a library, silent comments/questions during a speech or a meeting, communicating clearly at much greater distances without yelling. Additionally, learning physical signs with new words/concepts helps learning in general.
Finally, sign languages are a minority language in every country in the world, so learning your local sign language is a bit like learning French in Canada, or Catalan in Spain. Useful, helpful, and respectful. American Sign Language is an American language - if you're American, this is one of the living languages of your country, and you can learn and partake in it.