subject: Learning A Bit About Sign Language [print this page] Sign language is a very helpful language to learn. It is the way that deaf and mute people learn to talk and communicate with others. If you look online you will be able to find many tools that will assist you in learning sign language.
Of course you can also purchase books online or in stores, as well as software. Probably the best combination would be using all of these items together. That way you can completely immerse yourself in learning the language.
Practicing is a much needed part of learning anything new. So work on those signs not only for the alphabet, but for numbers. There are tools that can assist you showing you the correct ways that you should hold your hands for each of these items.
Even the process of learning those signs for words can be done. All it takes is time and patience on your part. But it's actually more than just the hand signals that you need to learn. You will also need to use facial expressions in some instances to get the point across.
That and a bit of body language is also used, so in order to learn all these different aspects of sign language, it can be a longer process. You may even be able to find courses that are offered at a local college.
This will help you even if you don't know anyone who you need to communicate with in sign language. Because you can never be sure when you might meet someone. Being up to communicate will covey the fact that you can be a person who can be trusted.
Plus many people will take up learning any language as a hobby. When you find a hobby that you like, it's always important to pursue it. Sign language has a lot of different nuances than most people will realize to it. There are many different types that are used around the world, but most of them do have some remarkable things the same.
There have been some specific developments of certain languages into sign codes too. Two examples are Warlpiri Sign language, and signed English. They however are not the same thing as American Sign Language.
Sign language first came into being when Juan Pablo Bonet came up with a language that he could use to teach mute people. That was back in 1620; basically he reduced the letters down so that mute people would be able to speak.
While the first school for deaf children would be opened in 1755, located in Paris France. While the first location in American would be created by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet located in Hartford, Connecticut.
As stated above there are certain linguistics that you must learn in order to communicate in sign. It's not as easy as just learning those signs for the letters, but so much more involved. However, it's a great thing that everyone should think about learning.
If given the chance you should check out some of those online sites that will offer you a sample of everything that you can learn.
