Jump to content

Hi everyone!


Recommended Posts

Hi everyone! 

I am a non-native English speaker, but I moved to the UK when I was 16 and spent my formative years here. I had my first encounter with BSL back in 2015 when I did a free internship at a non-profit that specialised in connecting BSL interpreters with those who needed their assistance. 

I currently work for the University of London, and for the first time in my life I have a couple of deaf colleagues. I looked back at my university experience and decided to pick up BSL. Although my colleagues use hearing aids and don't need me to sign to communicate, I thought it would be nice to have the option to do so. 

Also as a bilingual person, I can understand how challenging communication can be when you mishear things. I've always relied very heavily on facial expressions, especially in my early years in the UK when I didn't know every word Brits used or every slang word, and especially when I befriended people with stronger accents. I think everyone in my family has relatively weak hearing: I noticed struggling to understand colleagues speaking even my native language if they spoke too quietly or while turned away from me. During the pandemic I struggled to understand the people around me, especially if they wore a mask and spoke quietly, since I couldn't rely on their facial expression and fill in the blanks by guessing what they'd said. 

Another reason to pick up BSL is my job. I am a content officer, and a big part of my role specifically is filming videos. Now, when we're on set and recording an interview, I sometimes have to communicate with my colleagues without making a sound - telling them to move the camera, check the focus, reframe the shot etc. I hope to teach them some signs one day so we can do this efficiently and improve our filming on the spot without having to interrupt the speaker on camera. 

I think BSL would be great to learn for anyone who has to work in a loud environment or can't make a noise but has to communicate nevertheless. I wish I'd started learning it a bit sooner, but then again, I'm not sure it would have helped if the shop assistants and people outside of Deaf community didn't understand me. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Posts

    • Gisteren kwam ik via een reclame op social media terecht bij een goksite. Ik was een beetje sceptisch, maar nieuwsgierig genoeg om het uit te proberen. Ik ben altijd al een fan van roulette en dit was een mooie gelegenheid om het opnieuw te spelen https://redonbet.be. Toen ik eenmaal het spel begon, viel het me meteen op hoe vloeiend alles verliep. De interface was duidelijk en de inzetopties waren gevarieerd. Het leek allemaal goed, maar mijn eerste paar pogingen gingen niet zoals ik had ge
    • Hi there, My name is Trixie and I'm learning BSL to keep my brain active. Many years ago, I was learning South African sign language and I loved it! I stopped when I left SA and life has been fairly tumultuous since then. We recently learned that my husband will most likely lose his hearing in the next 20 years or so (he has already lost hearing in one ear completely), so I want to be prepared. It's also good for my ageing brain to learn a new language, so I'm diving in with enthusiasm and
    • Hi there, I'm learning BSL at the moment and I've found four different signs for "favourite" online at signbsl.com: 1 - two thumbs up making small cycling motion with each other in front of chest 2 - thumbs of dominant hand taps chin twice 3 - both thumbs start at chin, then move outwards and downwards 4 - thumb of dominant hand on chin, thumb of secondary hand held lower down in front of chest, then both hands move downwards away from the body Now here is a fifth vers
    • Hello Vedith, i am also a Chartered Physiotherapist. I work in Vestibular Rehab and encounter many people with hearing difficulties. Im new to BSL but very keen to learn.
    • I work in a Clinic anf feel that BSL would be extremely useful. I was inspired to learn after watching Old Hands New Tricks with Rose Ayling- Ellis. Ive just started the course so any help or advice would be welcome. Steve
    • So I downloaded the https://plinko.com.my/app just to see what my brother was ranting about last week. Honestly? I wasn’t even expecting to like it. But I got hooked. The tension when the ball drops into higher payout slots is such a tease. I live in Malaysia and it’s not always easy finding fair online games in English, but this one felt surprisingly balanced. Won enough to treat myself to a cheeky bubble tea run.
    • Vi uma propaganda no Insta do Playoro, nome me chamou atenção. Entrei pra ver se era confiável e encontrei um site que explicava tudo bem direto. Mostrava quais os jogos mais populares, bônus de boas-vindas e como funcionava o saque. Gosto quando não precisa procurar info em 10 lugares. Me cadastrei e fui testando aos poucos. Achei bem justo.
  • Fingerspelling Scoreboard

    (top 10 - past 24hrs)

  • Fingerspelling Animation Maker

×
×
  • Create New...