Question & Answer

Is sign language universal?

Although sign language is used in many countries, each country has developed its own system.  However, in recent years an international sign language has been developed to cross national barriers to permit the communication between deaf people of different countries.  This language is sometimes called Gestuno, and has been used at international events like conferences and the Olympic Games for the Deaf.

The information listed above can be found at this link.

Is it hard to learn sign language?

Learning sign language is like learning a different spoken language.  It's difficult at first, but once you get the basics gown learning the rest of the language is does not make it easier to learn yet the learning does go smoother.  The key to learning the language is to constantly practice.  Always keep refreshing yourself with the material you learn each day on class, or the material you learn from a website.

Where can I find a Sign Language Class?

There are sites online that offer classes for you to learn sign language.  For example the site called Signing Online allows you to take courses that show you the language.  However, you will have to pay for a membership in order to take the classes.  Going to the Enroll page of the site shows you an easy seven step enrollment process in order to take the classes.  They state in the beginning that each standard course will cost $49.95 for four months of access.

How long will it take to learn the language in order to comminicate with a deaf person?

Learning the basics would be a good start in order to communicate with a deaf person, but learning the sign alphabet is the best was to communicate with a deaf person because you can fingerspell what you are trying to say to that person.Usually, any deaf person is willing to work with you when you want to communicate with them because they are excited that you want to talk to them. However, it really depends on what you want to say or who you want to communicate with.  Like: someone at your job, someone you need to talk to in class, or someone you want to date.

How old do you have to be to start learning sign language? 

It doesn't matter what age you want to start learning sign language.  Some parents teach their infants sign language in order to communicate with them when they can't talk.  Again, it all depends on how long you practice the material you are taught. Anyone can learn sign language at any age. 

Is it harder to learn sign language when you are an adult? 

It is harder to learn sign language when you get older because we don't retain the information of a different language like a child would.  For me, learning sign language was hard because I was canstantly wanted to use words ti speak with instead of my hands.  You see my mind kept wanting to think of the words to say instead of the gestures I needed to make in order say what I wanted to say.  The key is to stop thinking in spoken English, and start thinking in gestures when you want to talk. Using your voice when you talk helps because when you know the word you're saying you can find the gesture quicker instead of just saying the spoken word.

If you would like to leave a comment or add additional information feel free to on the Comments Page, or you can go back to the ASL History Page.

If you'd like to see some interesting history click on the Interesting History Page.

If you'd like to see some links that will teach you sign language click on the Links for ASL Page.

If you'd like to see some sign language music videos click on the Music + ASL Page.