My Journey so Far
I feel that my overall learning experience has grown in just four weeks. In honest, I wish I could have learned everything that has been covered as a first year student. It is one thing to memorize signs and to know basic conversational skills, but in ASL there is a very cultural aspect, that is hard to learn from a hearing teacher. Looking back, I have noticed how hard it was for me to learn sign language when using my voice. When I figured this out, I saw my progress take a closer step to improvement. It is easier for me to concentrate on just signing; putting all my effort into using the new skills I have learned: the use of classifiers, signing space, facial expression, the seven basic hand shapes, even a more ergonomically friendly way to sign certain letters (‘G’, ‘Q’, and ‘H’).
My favorite thing we have learned has been the HMHD (Hold-Movement-Hold-Duplication) models. Last year we were on our own for understanding the signs, the instructor would show us the sign, we would ask questions about the sign and then have to convert what we saw into understandable notes that we could refer back to later. This new model has been very helpful. It breaks the sign down to the core, from start to finish. To understand every hand-shape, position, and location of each part of the sign makes it easier to remember and understand.
Applying that understanding in signing is just the first step. You can memorize signs (or words) and still not know how to sign (or speak) the language. The next thing I have learned to understand is that all noun signs need classifiers. These classifiers are descriptive signs done with the non-dominate hand to help defend the more arbitrary sign used first, giving the sign an actual meaning. The use of classifiers is added to the sentence structure. When signing, there is a different word or better said “sign” order then used for English. As native English speakers we grow up learning sentence structure in Subject-Verb-Object order. For ASL though, the order is Object-Verb-Subject. This is important to know and essential to be able to understand other signers.
Now I have not had a lot of contact with many people who are Deaf, but when I have had the opportunity to have a conversation (more like some-what of a conversation with some signs and lots of finger spelling on my part) or just been able to observe other signers, I can tell they are very “vocal”. By vocal, I mean their use of signing space, facial expression, and over all use of body language could put an improve artist to shame. There is an art to signing, a secrete beauty that few are privy to. You can pretend to know what art is, but to really understand the art, to appreciate it, reveals the more magnificent beauty.
All of these essential components of ASL are just that- components, until used. The second part is the practical part, the application of knowledge. So far this has been demonstrated by the use of the online blog, with videos and my writings of ASL. Along with the daily free-signing exercises, application will enhance the understanding. Learning Sign Language has always been a goal for me, and when I learned Clackamas Community College offered ASL, I signed up immediately. I applied myself, memorizing signs; I practiced finger spelling everything, which has helped me a little this year. But I feel my knowledge is short of what is required for a two year student.
There are times when I feel lost during lectures, either I do not understand something being signed or another student asks a question and I cannot see what they signed, so it is hard for me to follow the teacher’s answer. It would be nice if the question can be repeated, so everyone can see and have a better understanding of what is being discussed. As the lecture progresses though things that are missed, become clarified. I like the fact that my teacher uses reaction cards after every activity. It is a great way to answer questions and concerns that students have. There is also a mutual understanding for the students, that we are all alike. We all have trouble areas, things we excel in and a lot to work on.
This is progress, slow progress yes, but to be able to see it, and understand what hinders you (like speaking vs. not speaking) is what learning is, identifying your weaknesses and then learning from them to increase your knowledge.
