Just started learning BSL -- British Sign Language: had my first lesson last Thursday.
It is fascinating how regional it is: the sign for my home village is surely not known more than a few miles from here :)
I've learned to finger-spell, but very slowly. I've learned that my surname has a short form -- many of these rely upon similar sounding words which signs are then used as a proper name -- mouthing the real words as you go helps to disambiguate.
The lesson was very well run, by a totally deaf teacher. She asked us to practice conversing (simple things like -- where do you live, and how did you get here today?) by moving 'round the room. It was a moment of revelation to me that I didn't have to get near someone -- I stood up on my chair and signed to someone on the other side of the classroom. It was very liberating!
I signed up (pun?) for this course because recently I met a colleague who is deaf, and who signs well. I was at a loss, and resented the feeling of impotence the lack of communication gave me. He helped me to learn a few words and signs, but I thought a proper course would be better. So here we go... My ability with non-native spoken/written languages is abysmal, so it remains to be seen how well I do with this.
The ability to hold a conversation across a crowded, noisy room is a plus, though.
It is fascinating how regional it is: the sign for my home village is surely not known more than a few miles from here :)
I've learned to finger-spell, but very slowly. I've learned that my surname has a short form -- many of these rely upon similar sounding words which signs are then used as a proper name -- mouthing the real words as you go helps to disambiguate.
The lesson was very well run, by a totally deaf teacher. She asked us to practice conversing (simple things like -- where do you live, and how did you get here today?) by moving 'round the room. It was a moment of revelation to me that I didn't have to get near someone -- I stood up on my chair and signed to someone on the other side of the classroom. It was very liberating!
[I know, others thought I was weird, too -- but I did it because I could!]
I signed up (pun?) for this course because recently I met a colleague who is deaf, and who signs well. I was at a loss, and resented the feeling of impotence the lack of communication gave me. He helped me to learn a few words and signs, but I thought a proper course would be better. So here we go... My ability with non-native spoken/written languages is abysmal, so it remains to be seen how well I do with this.
The ability to hold a conversation across a crowded, noisy room is a plus, though.
