Question about sign lanuage
 

As this forum covered people from all walks of life i thought this the best place to ask this question first.

I am interested in learning sign language, both to help me in my job but also to teach my son..

I know there are different types and i was wondering what peoples (who use it or have knowledge) views were.

Would I have to learn all variants, such and British sign language, makaton, baby sign...etc etc...

Regards

Fraser01

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

BSL is probably the most widely used, it's what my brother and me use. Kitkat also did a course in BSL but is too scared to use it!
Libby (in my avatar) is going to be learning baby signing, the one she goes to is based on makaton

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Verna can do basic sign laguage and its absolutly amazing when she 'speaks' to a deaf person. Thier face is, well a picture!

Cant help with your querey though, maybe cantacting the local Deaf association for advice?

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Local Adult education centres usually do BSL level 1 and 2 and even some introductory courses.

BSL is the one that deaf people use, although my daughter and her deaf friends tend to use a mixture of BSL and SSE (Signed Supported English - not sure what that is used for).

When she was small she was mis-diagnosed with a Speech and Language disorder and we learned another one in which all the words are signed in the correct order - called Paget Gorman. BSL isn't set out in the order we speak and tends to miss out conjunctions and use facial expression.

So in answer to your question I suppose it depends for which disability you are learning it for, hth :)

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Jax did a course in BSL as she used to look after a kid who was deaf, also another one you might come across is Macaton, very similar to ASL as its very easy to pick up. My brother is autistic and he uses it sometimes, though his speak is getting better.

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

what?

http://trustedadvisor.com/public/Ima...ning%20ear.gif

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Um...its not for any specific disability, I wanted a general sign language system that is used by the majority of people regardless of their specific disability. I have dealings with a wide variety of the community and have always felt at a disadvance for not being about to communicate adequately with everyone I come into contact with.

A secondary interest would be to teach my son and from reading the threads so far I suspect that would be Makaton, but would adults who sign understand this also?

Regards

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

AFAIK my daughter understands BSL, Makaton and SSE - so I assume they are all reasonably similar - I suppose it depends where you are going to learn it and what courses they offer?

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

As far as i know they're all pretty similar. Personally i'd go for BSL

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

I work with the deaf, you'll probably be pushed to find any other night classes that teach anything other than BSL, which is fine, its all you need. Its a hoot when we go to the Hull Deaf Club (social, bar etc) which is run entirely by deaf people. The newbies have to go to the bar and order a drink in sign, the look on their face is priceless!!
and one bright spark decided to order a Tia Maria & coke!!
Pint of lager is much easier.

Steve

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Lots of frantic finger spelling there I should imagine! :D

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Actually, more like a totally baffled deaf barman!!
Lots of the sign "Again"

Steve

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Makaton is the easiest for everyone to pick up and other signs I would say, as it uses bits from BSL and ASL, but in its simplest context. All the signs are very visual rather then symbols for words. Like the sign for a apple is you biting a apple, or the sign for pig is your fist in front of you nose twisting a little to make a snout.

Have a look at this -

http://www.totalcommunication.org.uk...n-signing.html

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

Yeah, but its pre-school Grinch, nobody in the adult world communicates in Makaton, they're all BSL in the UK at least. I'm just finishing my BSL Level 1.3.

Steve

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

all interesting points, I think I will start by learning makaton in my own time and speak to work about providing me access to BSL courses.

Thankyou.

Re: Question about sign lanuage
 

The point of Makaton is that its simple... deaf and other groups can understand it, my Autistic brother does not know BSL. And while he can speak kind of, Makaton is much clearer.
If its just the deaf in the UK then BSL is fine, but as fraser is, its some to also progress to.