How many people here are familiar with sign language?

[Fassa Albrecht]

I know that this site is majority American and there's a difference between Ameslan and British sign language, but some general advice/comment would be good.

Anyway, my volunteer work involves dealing with children and young adults who are often deaf, mute or have other problems communicating, and some of them use some form of sign language, usually Makaton (a form of signing for special needs children) or British Sign Language.

Now something that has been suggested to me is to learn some sign language, as I'm good with languages and people with this skill are needed all the time. But I know that sign language doesn't work like any other language and so I was wondering if anyone here has had any experience and can tell me if it's difficult to learn and actually of any use.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I only know Scottish sign language, and I'm pretty sure I'd get banned for going into any details beyond that!

[Fassa Albrecht]

[MJ5150]

I am taking classes right now to learn ASL. I'm about a month into it. So far, it has been simple to pick up. If you are a very animated person, that is a blessing and a curse.

-Mike

[jonathan_matos5]

im kinda learning American Sign Language. but im learning because i am interested in a girl that is studying to be a special ed teacher with a focus on def and hard of hearing.

[DwaynieAD]

my niece is learning sign language do to stunted speech development due to health problems, my son has picked some of it up from her and I've picked some up from him. nothing wrong with improving how you communicate.

my niece and son are both 18 months old. the basics seem to be pretty easy, and a fair amount of the signs are self explanitory

[ThisisCraigP]

I can't but this waitress at work can. It's pretty cool seeing her communicate with it.

[ShredderMaximus]

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

my niece is learning sign language do to stunted speech development due to health problems, my son has picked some of it up from her and I've picked some up from him. nothing wrong with improving how you communicate.

my niece and son are both 18 months old. the basics seem to be pretty easy, and a fair amount of the signs are self explanitory

wow, i bet i wasn't even talking at 18 months!

[Deluge Of Sound]

Did the sign language help with your psychological evals?

[MIJ-VI]

List of sign languages
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sign_languages

--------

British Sign Language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Sign_Language



--------

Makaton
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makaton
http://www.makaton.org/

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by ShredderMaximus

wow, i bet i wasn't even talking at 18 months!

most babies have a 10-20 word vocab and are forming 2 word sentences at 18 months, i'm sure you were

[HollowBassman]

I've heard of it.