New found interest in learning sign language

[micechasekittens]

Some people have been motivated by Emi to start exercising more, but thanks to KS, I am interested in learning sign language. I haven't tried Shizune's path due to the whole liking Hanako and having a difficult time trying out the other paths. (I keep going back to Hanako *sighs wishfully*). Yet, there have been times in my life where I met people who were deaf and I wished that I could communicate with them instead of relying on an interpreter. Also would have been wonderful to be the person who can act as the translator.

I never took ASL in middle or high school, but I'm wishing I had. I think part of me back then thought I'd never really need it. By having such a selfish thought, I probably missed out on chances of meeting some great new people. So now I have been studying a bit here and there. Having finished school and undergrad, the chances of being able to meaningfully practice it are not as readily available. I don't think I will ever push to become highly proficient, but it'd be nice to know enough for basic conversation.

Anyone else developed an interest in sign language?

* Also random fact about me. I didn't learn to start talking until I was almost 7. I was completely mute and was being taught sign language as I was starting to rely on my own created form of sign language. Doctors were starting to give up on me learning how to talk. My first word was a swear word oddly enough and I rarely swear now. I can hear just fine and talk without issue (I'm a English teacher in fact), so I'm not sure why I didn't make sounds prior to then.

[NoOne3]

Don't be shy to use your Google-fu. I found three free, online courses of ASL in 20 seconds, so if you are dedicated enough you should check which one suits you the best. Found one for my native sign language too (mind there are national differences), so I guess most of them have some kind of a website.

And don't be a weenie, get over Hanako, and play other routes too! It's like not reading the next chapter of the book, because the first one was so good it cannot get any better. Let it put some hair on your chest.

[newnar]

You know, the first time I heard people use the short form ASL it was on omegle.com

[micechasekittens]

I've been studying a couple weeks from ASLU lifeprint site that I found on google which has a ton of free lessons and videos. I did play Rin's path, but Shizune's would be harder due to needing to side with her and Misha over Hanako and Lilly. Rin's was definitely an emotional roller coaster, but I didn't like how much of a slacker my character became. Lol I don't want to grow hair on my chest since I'm a girl.

[RXD]

I've got a new found interest in learning Braille.

And I started to drink tea a lot lately.

[guest2]

Just because you're not in school anymore doesn't mean you can't take a night class or something. My community college offers four semesters, which is the same as my university, so I assume that is the limit. I'll be taking it when I go back for engineering this fall even though I should really dedicate my time to my major haha. I'm scrapping the idea of an art minor or something (which is what I think I ultimately want to do, thanks Rin ) until after I'm done.

I'm sort of in the same boat, though. I wanted to learn sign language long ago, then just sort of forgot about it. Shizune reminded me. I don't even have anyone in particular to talk to; I just always wanted to learn. Seemed fun, like any other foreign language.

[metalangel]

A shame BANZL and ASL are different, I'd prefer to learn ASL but not many people in the UK would use it.

Wish KS had come out 15 years ago, it might have inspired me to do something more useful with my life like become a hard of hearing teacher.

[Althamus]

I've always wanted to just know the basics of sign language. I don't know any deaf people, but figured that knowing the very basics would be useful for if I ever met anyone who was deaf.
Sadly, I don't know anyone else who would be interested in learning sign language, and without anyone to practise with, anything I do learn will quickly be lost (secondary school french is a good example of that xD)

Still, I just googled it again, and once again learnt the alphabet. I'm learning British sign language (being from Britain). Anyone else learning british sign language here?

[NoOne3]

Lol I don't want to grow hair on my chest since I'm a girl.

In that case you can:
a) Treat it more figuratively, being an English teacher, and all.
b) Not treat it figuratively at all (I don't know what's wrong with the world today, like a few hairs here and there wouldn't be like totally cute, sheesh!).

Lacking a learning partner, you should look into your local hearing-impaired community I guess, though you shouldn't expect being welcome open handed just because you have a fancy to learn signing. See if there is a branch of some institution nearby. Remember to come up with a reasonable idea why you should learn it, and how you could use it. If dedicated enough you could always target being a teacher in a hearing impaired school, or integration school, teaching english for example.

Giving away straight off, you might have got an idea of learning Sign Language, from "Porn Game with Cripples" (direct quote of someone talking about KS), is not one hundred percent absolutely positively foolproof idea.

BTW, I once learned a signing for "You're welcome", after a boy thanked me for showing him my watch. He gesticulated to me for time, while we were waiting at the bus stop. I forget it by now though. It's like with all skills you don't use.

[metalangel]

My other half has a very rudimentary knowledge of BSL. The problem for me is I would prefer to learn ASL (so as to be able to use it back in Canada), but being in the UK courses, materials and especially other speakers are few and far between. I'm not really sure how to proceed. We could learn from websites and DVDs but without an experienced teacher would probably unwittingly pick up a lot of bad habits.

Looking at the grammar, I quite like it. In some ways it seems more logical to me to establish the subject and then describe what happened to it.

[micechasekittens]

Lol I don't want to grow hair on my chest since I'm a girl.

In that case you can:
a) Treat it more figuratively, being an English teacher, and all.
b) Not treat it figuratively at all (I don't know what's wrong with the world today, like a few hairs here and there wouldn't be like totally cute, sheesh!).

Lacking a learning partner, you should look into your local hearing-impaired community I guess, though you shouldn't expect being welcome open handed just because you have a fancy to learn signing. See if there is a branch of some institution nearby. Remember to come up with a reasonable idea why you should learn it, and how you could use it. If dedicated enough you could always target being a teacher in a hearing impaired school, or integration school, teaching english for example.

Giving away straight off, you might have got an idea of learning Sign Language, from "Porn Game with Cripples" (direct quote of someone talking about KS), is not one hundred percent absolutely positively foolproof idea.

BTW, I once learned a signing for "You're welcome", after a boy thanked me for showing him my watch. He gesticulated to me for time, while we were waiting at the bus stop. I forget it by now though. It's like with all skills you don't use.

I figured it was just a figure of speech ^^. Sign was always something I wanted to learn though the game merely reminded me. Back in school, I had the opportunity but didn't see the practicality. I think it would be really neat to act as interpreter for students in mainstream classes. If I don't become that proficient at least I would have a skill that can lead to meeting new people. When I worked in a bookstore in college, there was a man who was deaf that would always seek my help since I was very patient and helpful, though we had to communicate via notes and i wished I had known sign then. I've been teaching ESL for awhile, but have been experiencing some burnout so I've been looking for new job experiences. Working towards being teacher in an hearing impaired school seems interesting, thanks for the idea. Might start taking ASL classes when I go back for my masters in English (though considering counseling psychology due to getting burned out from the teaching profession).

[geekahedron]

I actually have an "ASL for Dummies" book lying around. Some time ago I had a girlfriend who lived with her aunt and uncle and their nonverbal daughter, who communicated with sign language, and taught myself enough sign language to talk to her (and because I had and have always wanted to).

After playing this game, I've been inspired to pull out the book and start teaching myself again. I'm short on ideas for practical uses or practice opportunities, though.

[Guest]

I only really know how things are done in the UK as I'm learning BSL (not due to Shizune), but I don't think the US will have much difference:

Online dictionaries/online courses/Sign Language for Dummies is good for revision, but as with any language, you need practise. You can get that through in-person courses. You may have to pay for them, yes, but if you want to learn and meet new people then it's worth it.

When you're more confident in your signing, look to see if your local Deaf clubs have Learners' nights (they may go under different names like "communication club" or something). Deaf volunteers come along and chat to people learning sign language (in sign) to help them improve. It's a bit scary at first, but again you can make new friends. Don't forget to observe etiquette - there are manners specific to Deaf culture and sign language especially as it's such a different way of communicating.

Good luck!

[metalangel]

I wonder if there'd anything in using Skype or similar to have video calls and just sign to each other?

[newnar]

I wonder if there'd anything in using Skype or similar to have video calls and just sign to each other?

I think ppl would rather IM.