Re: Q: Learning A Sign Language

qquito wrote:
> Hello, All:
>
> I read that a sign language can be as complex as any spoken language,
> and can be used to discuss anything from the simple and concrete to the
> lofty and abstract.
>
> So how long does it take one to learn a sign language to such a level
> that he/she can talk about not only daily life trivia, but politics,
> music, art as well as philosophy? Or does it take the same amount of
> time and energy as one would to learn a spoken foreign language?

If you are happy with somewhat qualified guesses, I can come up with
some:

To learn ASL (American Sign Language, boldly assuming that you are in
the US), there is no reason to believe that it would be quicker than
learning any oral language. When you learn Italian, you are helped by
your knowledge of English when you learn the Italian word for
telelvision is televisione. You have no such help for any single word
in ASL. A few words you will immediately understand, like telephone
expressed as holding your hand like a phone to your ear and mouth (
http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm ). Many you will
not.

There is to my knowledge no useful ASL - English dictionary, so if you
see a speaker on television, and there is a sign you don't understand,
you cannot look it up unless you go through the entire content of an
English - ASL dictionary. (I intensely hope I'm wrong here, but I think
not.)

There are no books written in ASL, so you cannot sit at home and read
some nice stories to yourself in ASL. (You can watch some films,
though.)

It is very difficult to get the gestures in a sign right from simply
looking at photographs in a book. If you try this, you will end up
speaking a "broken" ASL. In contrast, if you already speak French
without an accent and look up a new word, your pronunciation of that
word will probably be perfect too.

In short, if you want to learn a language quickly I would guess about
any other language is easier. If, on the other hand, you are intrigued
by the different means of expression and grammar, or if you simply have
a hard of hearing friend, you should go with ASL or the sign language
of your country.

That's my guess.

John

.

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