Lysandor

We really need some context on this.  Is this from a video?  What was the topic being discussed?  Where on the body was this sing used?  This is too out of context to really analyze.

Your video comes up unavailable.

PS. Rolando, I really appreciate these videos.  They're short and your signing speed is really helpful.  Great work in helping people with their receptive skills.

I have 3 dogs and 2 cats.  My 3 dogs names are Edi, Molly, and Osita.  My cats' names are Mittens and Shredder.

NEW

Great practice.  We can all help.  First little bit of advice.  The sign for MAKE in ASL does not work the way it does in English.  MAKE in ASL is literally to create something. So for making friends you would want to sign something like FRIENDS ME WANT NEW. You can use MEET, FIND, ACQUIRE.  Just not MAKE.  Make is an English word that has about 10 different uses in English.  In sign, the sign for make is literally to create something.

Hi Veronica.  Welcome.  What resources are you using to learn right now?  There are a ton available.  I would imagine that LV has a decent amount of classes you could attend.

Good job AJ.  Work on your facial expressions too.  Your signs are really nice and clear and crisp.  But without the facial expressions you're doing the ASL equivalent of talking monotone.  Give them a little life.

I've been told that a hearing person should never ask for a name sign.  It's rude.  My understanding is that when you have immersed yourself enough in the Deaf community they will decided when it's time to give you a name sign.  And honestly, I would bet it comes from annoyance.  I imagine if you are enough of a part of the local Deaf community that Deaf people will get sick of FS your name and they'll give you a name sign out of personal convenience.

That's an English idiom. It might not make sense to a Deaf person. If you sign SHARE LOVE people might just think you're trying to say you're a slut. 

So, I'm gonna be a little bit of a di*k.  This is kind of offensive.  And you'll end up pissing off Deaf people doing this.  This is at it's best cultural appropriation and at worst it's audism.  This is taking a culture that you apparently know nothing about.  A language that you obviously know nothing about.  And then using those things for your own personal gain.  If you want your graphic novel about deaf people.  Why they need to be deaf, I don't know. Unless you're just using it because you feel your characters need to have a disability, and deaf was the winner of the day.  But how are you going to give your book an "authentic feel" if you can't bother to take the time to learn enough about a culture to say a basic sentence?  Do your own work.  Learn it, like everyone else has had to.  Spend some time with a deaf person.  Learn who they are as people and then you can speak, as an outsider, to their culture.  But to just ask someone to do work for you so you can gain from another culture is a little offensive.

I work in a hospital in PA.  I started learning ASL because I had interacted with patients who were Deaf.  The Deaf community in general seems to have a very negative perception of the medical community because no one knows how to sign.  And we are usually so busy following rules about HIPAA and confidentiality that we ignore the communication needs of patients. 

I am of the opinion that it can be a great help.  I started learning because the patients that I had were treated very poorly by their medical providers and I didn't want to be the type of person who was capable of doing something and chose not to because it was easier for me. 

So, yes.  There is a need for providers who are sign capable.  Frankly though, unless you are intending to go on to become certified, there will be no need for you to use it in a professional capacity.  It seems unethical to interpret for your own work unless you are certified.  That does not mean that you can't still say hi, how are you, how are the wife and kids.  Which is a good thing no matter what. 

My suggestion to you would be to go to DC/Baltimore.  See what it's like there.  Get a sense for the community in which you will be working.  Look at other providers in your area and see if there is a need for a provider who signs.  If there is, then great.  Take it up.  Learn until you can get certified, and be that person for the Deaf community in your area.  If not, learn it casually and at least be able to a good conversation with a Deaf person. 

DC/Baltimore has a larger population of Deaf people due to the fact that Gallaudet University is located there.  But DC/Baltimore also has a much larger population in general.  So you'll likely not meet as many Deaf people even though there are larger numbers there.

I think it would be a benefit to analyze your motivations.  What is your end goal?  What do you want to do with ASL? Do you just want to be an ally for the Deaf community?  Do you want to be a provider in ASL?  Do you just want to be able to be friendly and communicate with someone in their language?  I think the answer to those questions will guide you better.

As for learning ASL.  That's gonna be a long process.  Some people pick it up quickly.  I've been learning for less than a year.  I've taken 2 ASL classes.  I study online videos.  I've been told by interpreters and other Deaf people that I'm signing much better than a person learning for a year should be.  Some people learn more slowly.  And it depends on how much time and effort you're willing to commit.  I study ASL at least 30-60 minutes a day.  I've heard people say that it takes 10 years of frequent interaction with Deaf people to become fluent.  So realize that if you want to learn this, it's going to be a long road. 

But good luck.  You'll decide what's best for you.  Hope my rambling helps you a little.

Hi, Welcome Scott.

Welcome Robert,

Good luck in your learning. 

It really depends.  Most online programs and community college classes I've seen seem to go up to level 4.  There are programs for interpreters that get Bachelors degrees that go up to ASL 5 or so and then there are specialization classes specific to interpreting.  But I think it really depends on the individual program.  It seems that for basic community knowledge that 4 is the base knowledge and the rest you pick up through interacting with Deaf people.

Awesome.  The lifeprint videos are a great start.  I'm around video number 50 with them at the moment.  I'm also taking an ASL 2 class at my local community college.  Good luck with your learning. 

Hi Damien.  Welcome.  How do you plan to use your ASL?  Why American Sign Language?  Wouldn't it be more beneficial for you to learn LSF?  Or do you plan to move to the United States or Canada?

Hey Matt,

I used to spend a lot of time in Frederick MD.  Isn't there a Deaf school near there?  Do they have any Deaf socials in that area?

I hope he's learning too.  Wouldn't do much good if you can talk to Deaf people, but he couldn't hear but couldn't sign either.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think that might be the sign for PHARMACY.  You signed MEDICINE + STORE.  So I'm guessing that means PHARMACY.  I don't know the context of the conversation.  But that would be my guess.

20171023_104545.mp4

You could probably use ON TABLE GAME AGENT

Hey there.  For anyone interested in practicing who has a Glide account and would like to use it with others here, please post them here.  I can start a practice group that we can all send messages to each other with.  Mine is GAEHIWB.  Add me and let me know that you're from this site and I'll add you to a practice group. 

I sign VIDEO GAME + AGENT.