can i teach myself sign language?
823817
These are excellent sites.\nhttp://commtechlab.msu.edu:16080/sites/aslweb/browser.htm\nhttp://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html
280126
its easy to learn ...need just practice on it ...\n\nu can learn from website ...but i dont think u can find free one ..\n\nu can buy cd for thats ...maybe thats website help u \n\nhttp://www.nossgalenbaby.com/signing.html?OVRAW=free%20sign%20language&OVKEY=dvd%20signing%20time&OVMTC=advanced\n\ngood luck
428840
http://www.aslpro.com/\nis an excellent site. \n\nBut keep looking for opportunities to mingle with deaf people. A lot of areas have deaf social groups where people can meet and practice. Also, some churches have signed services, that's good receptive practice.
710836
I began learning American Sign Language my sophomore year in high school. My friend was having a surgery that would either fix his hearing, or make him deaf. It was a wonderful experience, learning the language. Now I use some simple baby signs with my toddler, and it has helped us communicate better.
141211
I couldn't find anything exactly on the subject in my search, but it is very easily argued that sign language, for a deaf person is the only form of communication, and thus can be the only way a deaf person could "say" anything.  Say has been extended to anything you write (or sign you name to), absent coersion or undue influence, or police misconduct.  Since writing something isn't that far off of signing (as in sign language) something, it is very likely that a court would determine that anything you sign can be used against you as well.\n\nThis might make a good bar exam question...
817052
Many colleges and universities offer interpreting programs (usually 2 years). However, just getting a degree does not make you an interpreter.  You will have to become certified to work as a professional interpreter. You can become certified through the RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf). You have to go through a training program and then take the written and skills exams. \nIt is also suggested that you spend a lot of time in the Deaf community to help with learning the culture and language.
64467
Yes, there are many different sign languages. Signs that may make perfect sense in English can be bizarre in another. In particular, the different fingerspelling must be different for languages that do not use the Latin alphabet (Russian, Chinese, etc.) or that incorporate diacritics (French, German, etc). There are, in fact, many different sign languages used in the United States. There is for instance, Manually Coded English, a system of representing spoken English exactly in sign. One of the source below has a list of different sign languages, and information on many of them. There is also International Sign, also called Gestuno, International Sign Language and International Gesture. It is not a fully developed language like other nationality-specific sign languages (in fact it has no grammar), but was developed to enable deaf people from other countries to communicate with each other.
1171367
My daughter is deaf so how dare u  act like this she relies on sign language, i wonder how u would feel living in a silent world and needing sign language please think before u ask stupid questions.
121371
"Welcome to Michigan State University's ASL Browser web site, an online American Sign Language (ASL) browser where you can look up video of thousands of ASL signs and learn interesting things about them."\nhttp://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/index.htm\n\nThe sign for "Commandment"\nhttp://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/C/W0685.htm
419878
ASL is often offered through local colleges. It is very easy to learn and easy to retain. I learned ASL from 3rd through 8th grade as my school had a large deaf population. I still remember a bulk of the signs years later without any practice.
17124
In the United States this is location specific. There is a national rating and membership in the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Their outline of how to become a certified Sign Language Interpreter is at http://www.rid.org/start.html.(1)\n\nIn Michigan, where I live, you can attain State Qualification as an alternative to RID certification.\n\nAn excerpt from Michigan's code, posted on the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing website reads:\n"PA 204 was the first step in addressing interpreter quality when persons were not certified. The State Quality Assurance (QA) Screening program was modeled after the national RID's program. The QA program has improved the access for deaf and hard of hearing persons and the quality of interpreting services is better. QA interpreters follow the same code of ethics that nationally certified interpreters do and must obtain continuing education units yearly to keep their qualification level current." (2)\n\nI've known some wonderful Interpreters. In tribute to Brenda Smith, deceased, who was a fabulous interpreter and social worker, I'll repeat the words she gave when someone would ask her how to learn Sign to become an Interpreter:\n"Adopt a Deaf person!"\n\nShe supported all that schoolwork and books and teachers could do, but sincerely believed that the #1 way to become proficient in Sign was to spend major amounts of time, three or more hours a day everyday, with one or more Deaf persons in situations where only Sign is used.\n\nThat's for becoming a Signer, the first step in becoming an Interpreter. Not all Signers are or can be Interpreters. They are different skills. I look for a crossover skill that indicates whether a person is likely to have the brain makeup that allows them to do the act of interpreting. I'll ask them if they like crossword puzzles and can do them with a time clock running. It's a skill that "crosses over" and helps prepare them for the act of interpreting.\n\nNow I'm back editing this to add my belief that it's not necessary to be a Sign Language Interpreter to be of value. In the classroom, the doctor's office, a law office, or across a counter, an Interpreter is still a third person there. How much better to BE the teacher, the doctor, the lawyer or clerk that can function in BOTH English and Sign!\n\nI have many wait-staff as friends and have been asked many times how they can help out their Deaf customers with some common and easy signs: Hi, how are you, do you want (coffee, tea, soda, Coke). Goodbye. Thank you. They tend to love the Sign for Coke! (3)
208120
I am assuming you are referring to American sign language as used by people who are deaf?\n\nIf so the link I've attached outlines the complete history of sign langauge from the 5th centruy B.C. to the present day system in use.\n\nSign language wasn't actually discovered - it developed over centuries.  In the 1500's a system of gestures was created by Pedro Ponce de Léon for the de Velasco family of Spain and used in the education of the deaf. Some credit Juan Pablo Martin Bonet for the development of this system and he is sometimes considered to be the father of sign language. \n\nI hope this helps.
1018534
Hi it depends what sort of Sign Language you are after - the ones that I am most familiar with are BSL and makaton and both should have their own website to point you in the right direction. However your local learning disability NHS trust/service should offer free makaton training...\nMany community colleges/night schools also offer training in BSL \ngood luck
1061694
http://www.signlanguagecenter.com/  or you can do a google search for ASL classes in NYC
38998
You might try the sign language books at the public library.
70625
That's a great idea. Sign language should be offered as an alternative to any foreign language.
353461
Easy... check this out www.deafnation.com also I've been teaching sign-language and I'm almost deaf.  I go places where there is a lot of activity that most deaf people go.  Feel free to contact me.  Easy signing is a good book to start with.