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

[dirtydog]

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

[Viney]

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?

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

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.

what?

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

Originally Posted by fraser01

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

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?

[dirtydog]

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

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