Learn
American Sign Language

To learn American Sign Language is to begin an incredible journey of discovery. You'll quickly find that ASL is the best means of communicating with deaf relatives and friends.

When you learn American Sign Language, you embark on a tremendous voyage into the mysterious world of deaf culture. In so doing, you'll learn how much the hearing world can benefit from studying the life of the hearing-impaired. In fact, you may find that you'll be able to learn more from your deaf friends than you'll be able to teach them.

Subtle Differences in Sign Languages

Before you attempt to unlock the secrets of American Sign Language, it is important that you first understand the difference between it and signed English. In general, the signs for both are similar. But in American Sign Language, the goal is to communicate a concept, while in signed English the aim is to communicate each word in a given sentence. As a result, American Sign Language can be considered broader in concept and in execution than signed English.

For the most part, signed English is used in classrooms where attention to sentence structure is paramount. In sharp contrast, ASL tends to be used in places where the primary purpose lies in conveying a given message. As a result, signed English is generally reserved for school settings.

Why Learn American Sign Language?

In addition to the flexibility and fluidity that American Sign Language offers, it also tends to be easier for deaf students to understand and to use. Consequently, it is often considered to be a preferred means of communication. Because of their hearing impairment, deaf students often have trouble using such parts of speech as conjunctions and prepositions. Since American Sign Language does not rely on such concepts, it can be much simpler to employ on a day-to-day basis.

The Bottom Line

American Sign Language can be a thorough joy to use, thanks to its expressiveness. Using your hands, your facial expressions, and your body language, you can convey a great deal of meaning and feeling. The more you use this particular language, the more you're likely to become enamored with it.

When you learn American Sign Language, you'll be bridging an important communication gap — the one between the hearing and the non-hearing worlds. And chances are you'll have a great deal of fun doing it.

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