To spell out the first name Ashley in sign language, you'll need to learn each individual letter in the name and then spell out each letter in the right order. This means there will be six different signs. Some people choose to use abbreviations when they sign their name to people or refer to their own name - for example, someone may just use the sign for A, rather than spelling out the whole name. To learn the letters for your name, visit a website that shows diagrams of how each sign is made...here is one to try (there are lots of others if this one doesn't work too well for you): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_manual_alphabet. By studying the chart and practicing, you should be able to learn your name is an hour or so. The more you do it, the easier it will get...
Deaf people are just like hearing people, on the inside...they are bright, talented, and interested in interacting and socializing. However, deaf people have been burdened with a significant disability that hinders their ability to understand human speech, as well as environmental noise, music, etc. Deafness is an invisible disability - in some cases, you may not know someone is deaf until you see them doing sign language, and even this can be deceptive, as many hearing people also sign. Deaf people use sign language to communicate - it is just like any other language, only it's spelled out on the hands, instead of being spoken.
Deaf people can enjoy all the socializing and work interactions they need when other people know how to sign, too, so signing is a very important part of deaf culture.
If you want to learn ASL (American Sign Language) in a formal setting, most community colleges will offer courses for a reasonable fee.
- About the deaf community
Deaf people are just like hearing people, on the inside...they are bright, talented, and interested in interacting and socializing. However, deaf people have been burdened with a significant disability that hinders their ability to understand human speech, as well as environmental noise, music, etc. Deafness is an invisible disability - in some cases, you may not know someone is deaf until you see them doing sign language, and even this can be deceptive, as many hearing people also sign. Deaf people use sign language to communicate - it is just like any other language, only it's spelled out on the hands, instead of being spoken.
- Learning ASL
Deaf people can enjoy all the socializing and work interactions they need when other people know how to sign, too, so signing is a very important part of deaf culture.
If you want to learn ASL (American Sign Language) in a formal setting, most community colleges will offer courses for a reasonable fee.
