r/asl

in asl, you don’t use be. I’ve found one way to replace it. become. I need more because be is use in a lot of ways. what do you guys use for different contexts

Hi! About a month ago I posted about my kiddo's childhood speech apraxia diagnosis and asked for help getting started with ASL. I'm so grateful for everyone who gave me suggestions! Thank you so, so much!

ASL has actually been going super well for both me and my son! I'm about 20 lessons into learning ASL through a few different online platforms (primarily Lingvano), and I've gotten comfortable​ with the basics as well as fingerspelling! I try to practice when things slow down at work. This month, I'm going to start working with a Deaf tutor so that I can learn more toddler-relevant signs (it's nice to be able to sign "nice to meet you," especially as we are trying to connect with other signing families, but not super relevant to what I'm saying every day to my 2.5 year old son! 😂)

My son is signing more and more every day, which is HUGE, and is reducing his frustration overall. Even though he only signs about 20? words, being able to sign "Mommy, help!" is a big deal and I am SO proud of him! Recently he started signing whag color crayons he wanted and I gasped. A whole new world has opened up to us!

He still has speech therapy, and his SLP signs with him as well as encouraging him to talk! He worked SO hard this past week and verbally answered a question, and we all cheered! I'm looking into preschools where he can sign, use AAC, and make lots of friends.

For the first time in a long time, I feel SO hopeful. Thank you for being part of our journey! ASL is already a big part of my family's life.

Am learning Asl and thought I would make a character in a comic I'm working on occasionally do asl as she speaks, but had to step away from my studies and the comic for awhile and now cant seem to find what I had her sign, figured I'd come across it while studying, but a friend asked so thought id ask here

https://preview.redd.it/w2iky55ndcbh1.png?width=601&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8eb0041cad9b7a0b4b724209bf362de2d93e0c7

https://preview.redd.it/anwp10awdcbh1.png?width=412&format=png&auto=webp&s=25db200e2cc72fd5711b76f81a69891eff02e89c

Do you know any?

At work I have an extra name tag that says “Deaf. I know ASL.” I don’t use it often as I tend just speak and listen to orders as well as I can. I have the ASL part on there for other deaf/HOH people so they know they aren’t alone when they come to the counter.

Today a lady came up who was HOH but spoke. She said she studied ASL for 8 years and asked me what my sign name is. I told her I didn’t have one yet. I don’t know any other ASL users in my community and I don’t know how to get one.

How do I get a sign name?

For the phrase “she’s driving me crazy!!!” what would you sign for driving? Make, cause, force, or something else? I don’t know if signing ‘make’ would be best since i mostly see people use that sign to mean creating something

I have just started learning some, and I was planning to ask a friend who is fluent if they wanted to get a coffee and study on Friday. Should I sign Friday before the subject of the sentence, or start with essentially coffee and study and then Friday?

Thank you for the help in advance!

I have a question for ALL.

Why do some people refuse to learn sign language when they’re dating someone whose family is Deaf or has multiple generations of Deaf relatives? What’s the reason?

And I don’t understand how hearing parents can have Deaf children and not learn sign language. Early access to a full language is critical for Deaf kids and without it, it can seriously affect their communication, learning and development long-term..

To me, if someone you’re building a life with has a Deaf family or if your own child is Deaf, learning sign language should be a priority. It’s basic communication. I just can’t wrap my head around refusing to learn the language of the people you love.

I want real answers from both Deaf and hearing people. No excuses. Just honest reasons.

I am wondering if the dominant hand starts in the palm-up position, or the non-dominant starts palm-up.

Hello, lovely people! I wasn't sure whether to ask this here, or in the ASL subreddit.

I am not fluent in ASL by any means, but I've learned a little through the years. I started teaching my (hearing) 21 month old a few signs before he could talk. Since he still doesn't speak much, I've been trying to teach him more signs to help him communicate as he will repeat signs, but not spoken words. I've been wanting to teach him how to sign for family members. My question is whether I should teach him generic family signs such as grandmother and uncle or if it would be okay to create more specific signs for people? For example, my mom goes by Gigi, not grandmother. Or, would it be okay to teach something akin to a name sign for my brother rather than teaching him to fingerspell the whole name? I don't know any Deaf people IRL to assign anyone official sign names.

I don't want to appropriate ASL or offend anyone in the Deaf community. I do plan on raising my toddler with English as his first language, but I think basic ASL could be a great tool! Thoughts?

If it matters, I am technically HoH with hearing aids, but identify as hearing since I can get by without them.

I have been taking a lot interpreting test for an community interpreting job, I say I about an strong B2 in American Sign Language. I want to know to some of you guys that are C1 in American Sign Language, how did you get there?