| American Sign Language, or ASL, is the third most | | | | Besides gestures, expression is very important to |
| used language in the United States. Used by the deaf | | | | signing properly. Don't be shy! Let your face help |
| community, interpreters, and friends and family of the | | | | convey your meaning. |
| deaf, it is fairly easy to learn compared to other | | | | Okay, now you've learned to fingerspell, and you've |
| languages. Watching anyone fluent in ASL, you can | | | | learned some basics of American Sign Language. |
| see it is a graceful and beautiful language. | | | | Now what? Yes it was interesting, but what use is it? |
| There are many versions of sign language, and | | | | Even if you don't know anyone who is deaf, ASL can |
| American Sign Language can trace its roots back to | | | | be useful. If your place of employment deals with the |
| France and Italy. Then, a deaf community on Martha's | | | | public in any way, you can now advertise that |
| Vineyard developed their own adaptation. This | | | | American Sign Language is spoken there. You may |
| eventually evolved into American Sign Language as | | | | find that it can increase your business, as the deaf |
| we know it today. | | | | community needs to shop just like anyone else. Finding |
| ASL is pretty easy to learn. There are a lot of sites on | | | | shops and businesses where they can communicate |
| the internet that not only shows you the sign with | | | | freely is rare. You can also use your new language |
| video, but will help you practice reading signs as well. | | | | skills when you go out, when you are at church or |
| Practice every chance you get... when you're playing | | | | school, or taking part in various hobbies. Learn it with |
| games, are out at a restaurant, or are a passenger in | | | | your kids. It will give them a fun hobby that will turn into |
| a car. As with any language, practice makes perfect. | | | | a useful skill in later life. Practicing becomes easier too, |
| As with any language, you'll want to familiarize yourself | | | | you'll have someone to practice both reading and |
| with the alphabet first. Once you are fluent in | | | | signing with. |
| fingerspelling, start learning the words and phrases in | | | | Once you've learned the basics, keep learning. The |
| ASL. ASL has its own grammar and you'll notice that | | | | more you use it, the more you'll want to learn. |
| some English words don't have a sign, and some signs | | | | Research online, join a class, or study a book. The |
| lose a bit in the translation. American Sign Language | | | | resources at your fingertips (pun intended) are endless. |
| deals more in phrases and ideas than in sentences. | | | | |