Bido for invite me to this group. I worked with deaf people here in Brazil some time ago. And when I lived in USA I worked with deaf too and I learned ASL. Infortunately I forgot most of it since I donīt have anyone to practice now. I am truly glad to be invited for this group.

I wish you all a blessed Sunday

Naira 

to the group!!  So glad to have you here especially with your expertise and experience!!  I am grateful for Bido for inviting you!!!!! 

Is the sign language in Brazil different from ASL??? 

I was invited here by Bido, and actually couldn't find the group...<G>  I actually have no experience in ASL, but know some of the alphabet.  I learned it a long time ago.  The Church I go to uses ASL in services.  It's great!  I'm ready to learn all I can.  Thanks Bido for helping me find the link!  LOL

HealingBear

I am so glad that so many responded to my invitation, I think this is a great group, but needs a little support from all of us. By the way can anyone direct me to a site where I can learn sign language?

I am so happy everyone is here!!  I will need everyone's help to get this group moving and I appreciate all the help I can get!!!

I just joined the group today. I'm hard of hearing (with a progressive loss) I am  learning ASL from a Deaf/Blind woman I work with. I look forward to meeting you all.

Cari

Hi, my name is Kalaya and when it comes to Internet, I am usually known as "DeafLegacy" because I'm deaf myself.

My first language was not ASL, it was English.  The second one would be the English Sign Language and then as I grew up, I learnt ASL.

Today, my sign language are a mixture of ASL and English.

Nice to meet you.

Hello There!!!

I am Auricle, and always a student of ASL...  My first experiences were trying to communicate with a mainstreamed child in the first grade who could not hear at all, and it was quite childish back and forth stuff.  In college, I learned much more, my main ASL teacher being a CODA.  My family history includes hearing loss as well, although my family does not use ASL...  I love it.  I like to 'sing' to songs I know, and sometimes I will perform for people, although I am a bit shy because of my own hearing loss!  I hope to share ASL with my English-speaking hubby - and he is learning...  What just jumps off my hands and makes sense so easily to me just baffles him though!  The converse happens too: he says something to me, and it sounds like blah bleak baslksjer buoiwerjkd.  Sometimes when I repeat what I thought he said, he has no clue as to how I derived that from what he said, but - perhaps we can learn ASLish (combo) together, and learn to communicate on a common ground.... Think?  I do not interperet, however, if I notice someone having a problem at a counter (one Deaf man had a flat tire, and was writing all sorts of notes to the clerk), it was nice to ask if he would like some liason, and he was sooo glad to have someone to speak his signs to the clerk...  The relief on his face was undeniable.  Flat tires stink to begin with! Glad to meet you folks, and to have this wonderful group to discuss the beautiful language of American Sign Language...

*auricle

I am new to your group.  I have several connections with ASL and deaf culture, although I am far from having a lot of experience.  I have a hearing issue, myself.  When I was younger, I had a period of time (6months) of losing my hearing completely.  I was in 4th grade then. (A VERY LONG TIME AGO...hee hee)  They were not sure if my hearing would come back, so they started speech and hearing classes for me.  I was taught to read lips.  I wanted to learn sign because I saw some folks do this to music before and I loved it.  So my speech and hearing therapist taught some signing to me on the side.  My hearing did come back completely in one ear, but I am deaf completely in my left ear.  Reading lips helped me a lot when I was in very noisy crowds and found it hard to hear people and focus on one person's voice alone.  Then, as I grew older, I did take come classes on ASL which was taught by a teacher who was deaf.  This is the best way, I think.  I had a boyfriend at that time who was deaf.  He mostly read lips and talked, but knew ASL very well.  We communicated that way, because I insisted.  I learned so quickly by actually communication.  I learned more in a few days with him then I had learned in class.  Of course, I am sure my "grammar" sucks and occasionally, my boyfriend would laugh at how I would say something or arrange a thought through ASL.  BUT important this is....I got my point across.  Now, some time has passed and he is not my boyfriend any longer.  Needless to say, I don't practice enough, so I have lost some.  I can sign just about anything, but watching and comprehening someone else has become more difficult without the practice.  I would love to someday become an interpreter for deaf people, but right now...that is only a dream.  I did learn a bit about deaf culture, but I would like to know more.

Nice meeting all of you and thank you for listening.

and   gretchen

Welcome to everyone new and thanks very much for the warm welcomes!

Welcome!!! We're glad that you are here!!!

Hello!!

Welcome to the club!  We are all putting together a list of websites that we think have good ASL info and info re: Deaf Culture, hopefully some of these things can be helpful to you... and we look forward to learning about your sites too! It is great that you have the gumption to learn this glorious language online!!!  We're glad you found our group

Hi Ande!  It is nice to see you here!!  Thanks for joining the ranks… You’ve had an interesting intro to signing… Would you mind explaining your observations of the differences between SEE and ASL to the group?  I’ll try to start a new thread in a few, but if you beat me, feel free to start one too!!! It is neat that you had a chance to study from such a young age, and you are right – ASL is a glorious language…

Auricle

Lu,  to the group! Congratulations on being a grandparent

Do many people in your family sign?  It will be fun to learn along with your grandson...   How old is he?  It is so great to see a supportive family...

Hope you enjoy our little group, and enjoy learning the beautiful language of ASL...

*Auricle

everyone well I myself and no one in my family that I am aware of is def however, I do have friends that are and I just wanted to stop by and show support.

                    SilverWolf

I have 2 teenage daughters who seem to have selective hearing does that count Have a great week everyone....

                       SilverWolf

Silverwolf  Welcome!!!

That selective hearing is a bear... It seems that many families wrestle with this animal at least at one time or another!  If you suspect more than 'selective' hearing.... Consider having it checked out by an audiologist...  They can check hearing status and make sure that your teens do not have wonderful, self made earwax earplugs....  (This can come from using Q-tips down in the ear... not a wise place to put a Q-tip... trust me!). 

There is another device... Called an earhorn...  You could show them one and say that you will be bringing one home soon... (they have one with a little hose on it so that the person with hearing problems can put the earpiece in the ear, then direct the little funnel/horn towards whatever they want to listen to...)  There are other alternatives, of course...  The Megaphone...

You will probably be met with an eyeroll and an 'oh MO-OM,' but it could be fun for you to get your message across! hehehe

Welcome to the group, my friend - glad to have you here...

Auricle

Hi Tonia!  What a cool way of keeping signing in the family!  I wish that some of my family knew how to sign - that would be great for get-togethers...  We used to sign in class instead of passing notes... the teachers didn't know what we were saying and we were never caught with paper to be read aloud to the class!!! LOL.  Later on, it worked well in a noisy situation - like going to watch a band play  and they are playing so loud that your chest is vibrating...  It is so nice to see you here, welcome to the club!!  Please feel free to pull up a chair and start a discussion that you are interested in...

Auricle

Spirit and Molly...

We are so happy to have you in our group!! Feel free to add discussion threads as you see fit... We look forward to learning more about you, life stories are always great!!

to all the new members!  It is fantastic to have everyone here and for me to come back and see all the progress that has happened on this group!! Thanks everyone for joining and sharing!!

Heyy,   

I joined this group because I am interested what other folks around the world have to say about ASL. I'm from a Deaf family and two Deaf children and hubby as well. I am very proud of our culture and language. Couldnt dream of it being another way.  Glad so far posts have been positive +!

Rock on !..!

Welcome to the group, Mania - and welcome back Brenda!!! We are glad that you are here... 

Mania, we look forward to learning more about your perspectives on many things, thanks already for your suggestions under "help!"  awesome!!

See your avatars around, lol...

*auricle

Good luck; Good life; Blessings to you all.

Eric... what did we do, or not do??  I'm confruzzled...  please contact me and let me know, thanks...

*auricle

I think He probably recieved comments about using the word "blessing" So he changed it to "Peace and health"

I think...

Regardless, thank you for the warm welcome I hope weather is better where ever you all are than it is here... brrr & grrrr

I've been with this group for a couple of months and I don't think I ever introduced myself.

Howdy y'all! 

I started with ASL just out of facination - hands moving so quickly and saying so much, and also because of my experience growing up in a culture that made fun of/disregarded indivduals that had disabilities or regarded them as less than worthy. This bothered me a lot.

I started learning sign language when I was in college.  My teacher taught kids at the School for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired - wonderful teacher.  Because she taught kids, she made the class fun and easy to learn. She taught us songs and told stories.

I found a learning partner and we practiced together for a while before she moved.  Haven't done much with sign language in a while but I try to keep up with the alphabet so I can at least finger spell

My favorite sign is for grapes.

We're glad you're back, Eric!!

Please feel free to join on in the fun and add your two cents, play the games... we try to have fun while chatting about ASL and Deaf Culture

Sariah!!! We're glad to know more about you, even though we have already enjoyed getting to know you through the ASL games!!  Sounds like a very good intro to ASL you've had... 

Fingerspelling also is a constant in my life... I find that instead of grumbling to myself at times, I am fingerspelling my grumbles or random thoughts... People look at me funny if they catch me walking around and my hand is fingerspelling away at my side, but it has saved me from grumbling or muttering out loud and irritating the people around me!

Used to practice fingerspelling by spelling signs and license plates during a drive, but I guess my silent grumbling/muttering are serving the purpose now...  HEY... at least I don't *answer* myself when I sign to myself... lol

Looking to get back into signing but I don't have time for a class or meeting new people - not until school is out in May. So, I'm going to do what you do, Auricle, fingerspell/sign things I see and feel. 

Don't mind looking odd, I'm use to being different. 

Heheh.

I understand what you mean. Currently I have no deaf or sign students to chat with so I spend alot of my time signing just to get the practice or having imaginary conversations with my friends back home.

Not to mention I have always talked to myself in sign, it still makes me look like a crazy person but at least when I sign they don't know what I'm saying.

Hey Yall' I'm C.C. i'm interested in learning ASL just so it's a skill i wud have. i help out at the school's a lot and my son is in special education & i always thought it wud be helpful to be able to sign, in case i were ever in a position to help out in a classroom with deaf children

Peace & Prayers, C.C.

everyone to the group

Many Blessings,

Waya Yonega

Hello, My name is Therese! I am a hearing person, as well as everyone in my immediate family. The reason I am here is because I love to talk to people!

     Statistics show that a hearing child who learns sign language is actually more advanced than those who hear, and can't sign!

     The most beautiful of Languages to me is that which can be expressed to the entirety through hands, lips, and actions!

I am here to learn! : )

I am a deaf cowgirl.  Grew up mainstream but had parents that allowed me to learn sign language thinkin' it would help me speak better.  As a result, they were right.

I have often been accused of lying about being deaf.  So I don't advertise it anymore LOL.  I speak, read lips and act like I can hear but when I see a deaf person or anyone that signs, I go up to them and make a friend.  I don't have many friends who are deaf but those I do, I cherish.

I sign exact english (SEE).  Learning ASL.  That in itself is an abbreviation.  I'd rather have exact english but when I'm around other deaf people, ASL seems to be the way to go.

I have two that I grew up with and call them my dearest friends.

I've tried to live in the culture and didn't like the gossip aspect of it so I stopped.  I call the state of Montana my home.  I work many jobs in the farming industry as well as work with horses myself.  Run a rescue group for Deaf Pets of America.  Not much about me other than that I'm a country gal.  I also transliterate for other deaf people that don't understand English the way others might.  Work with deaf indians on Flathead Reservation.  Am a minister.  Have my own prison ministry.

I just now have started to seek out deaf people.  Communication.

I have a cochlear implant that I got a couple years ago to see what sounds were like.  Just as I imagined it in my head all those years.  My plus is that I'm deaf first so I can turn this off anytime.  Not used to the constant sounds so that part is not the part I like.

Thanks Sandra!

I'm so excited to be here!

Therese, can you tell us what made you become interested in signing?  Do you have family/friends whom are Deaf?  Or you are just curious?  It's great to see your enthausim-it's contagious!    Keep it up!

Sandra

!

Well, my interest started years ago when I was young. I have two cousins whom are deaf. I was thrilled when I saw their telephone, and how they could communicate! The television was set for hearing impaired! This was over thirty years ago!

    Needless to say, I have always had an interest in communicating with everyone! It started really coming out as the years passed. One day I was sitting on a bus next to a man who was deaf. I wanted to talk so badly. As you can see, I am quite talkative once I get started! When I realized that he was deaf, I wasn't about to let that stop me. I would sign little things as I only knew the alphabet. I know that he must have been frustrated with me. I was happy that at least I felt like I was talking a little!

     Years later, I continued. I started working near a school for the deaf! It was fabulous! I met a wonderful young lady who would teach me a few words here, and there. Unfortunantly, we lost contact. She was so nice, and very intelligent! I moved on, and eventually started working at the school as a parent support specialist. I met the sweetest Lady who is deaf, as well as her sons,( her husband was too.) She taught me even more, but then we have lost contact. Actually, I know where she lives, and I would love to see her, but then I hate to visit unanounced. I wish that she and I had the chance to get close. Both of us lost loved ones the same year. Her husband passed of cancer shortly before my mother passed of cancer as well. We got to the point where we could carry on a half decent conversation!

         I want to learn more because I feel that the best friends I know I could have were lost because of my lack of being able to communicate.

           I love all people!

I believe that people who are deaf can actually hear better than those who aren't, and those who are blind can actually see better than those of us who aren't! You see, when a person is deaf, God has just protected their ears from all of the rubbish mumbo jumbo! They hear with their hearts, and through actions, something many who are not deaf can't do.

When a person is blind, God has protected their eyes from all the filth, and corruption. They see the true beauty of God that comes only from within the heart!

      I hope to make long term friends here, and come to learn the language!

       By the way, I am multi-Lingual as it is due to my desire to communicate! We speak English (of course), Urdu, Arabic, and even a little Spanish, and Bangla! I can read Arabic, and say my prayers in Arabic! Now I am working on signing! I purchased a DVD to help me!

OOPs, I told ya I love to talk! I tried to make it as short as possible. I could go on, and on, but am afraid someone will get bored

Therese, it's great that you've continued with your signing.  I really hope this group will help you even more. 

It's wonderful to get to know everyone.  Please don't hesitiate to send your ideas/comments our way.  Maybe things that you'd like to discuss, or games that we can play.  Anything at all..... Thanks.

It seems to me that I did not introduce myself!  Whoops!  anyhoo....

I'm Sandra and I'm not Deaf/deaf.  Nor do I have family members who are.  My Dad has worked as an Occupational Therapist for as far back as I can remember.  He worked with people who maybe have learning disabilities, or who are maybe autistic, or have Downsyndrom, and the like.  When I was in fourth grade, his work had a "bring your daughter to work day."  Some of the clients used sign language to communicate, and they taught us our names.  After that, they handed out little pamphlets.  I was reading it on the car ride home, and it enthralled me.  Until I was old enough to take college courses, I used books to teach myself. 

That's my story....Now, I'm working as an interpreter/aide.  I need to become certified in NJ (my current test grade is through IL).  After that, I'd LOVE to go on and study Deaf Education.  My dream is to be a teacher for young Deaf children. 

Any questions?  Comments?  Concerns???  Lettme know!

Christy, it's great to "meet" you. You'll probably be seeing a lot of me on here, because I love it so.  Anyhow, that's super that you know some signs.  You've gotta' start someplace.   You may enjoy this website to learn some more signing.   

www.aslpro.com

you can just look up any word you want, and after a while, you can quiz yourself.  I hope that is useful.  Please do keep us appraised of how it's going.  Sandra

Ya know this is going to sound corny... I actually got a little emotional with this site. It's so simple & easy for anyone to use! The next time anyone sees me or the kids signing and say "Oh, I wish I knew sign language." I'm going to refer them to this excellent site. We have a very hard time finding a sitter who would be able to communicate with our kids. Now we can give the girl down the street this site, have her learn a few basic signs and even quiz her!!! It has a quiz! Thanks for sharing, it obviously means a lot to this big Deaf family!

Rock on

PS I sent them an email glorifying them, hopefully boosting all of their egos and giving them big swollen heads too (they deserve it) But, I did mention it should be advertised a wee bit more.

Christy, that sounds great!  Keep studying, and, who knows....Maybe one day we'll see you on TV as one of the interpreters for the presidential inaguarations. 

Isn't it fun?  I really wish you and your friend all the best, in your persuits.  Now, you really have someone to practice with.  Let us know how it goes.

...Since I've had a chance to all of our new members to the group!!! Come on in and pull up a chair... feel free to start threads and discuss away...

For those of you coping with hearing issues, such as tinnitus and hearing loss, feel free to check out our 'sister' group: Audible Gain... We have a (small) group of folks who would like to discuss hearing issues, and it's been pretty quiet (pun intended) for a while as I have been offline dealing with 'real life' issues    It is also a great place to VENT frustrations about the HEARING WORLD to a group that understands your point of view...  Sometimes another member may shed a ray of light that shows the silver lining on a cloud...

hello all!

I personally have no hearing loss, nor does my family, but i am just beginning to learn ASL, and i love it. I am currently enrolled in an Early Childhood Education program, and i have one more year left, then i plan on going for my Freelance Interpreter training. I cant wait! I love ASL, and i love to communicate with people that sign as well, it is a great experience for me to "challenge" myself, and for me to catch on so i can progress more. I would love talk to anyone about my experience or yours, please feel free.

Isa

Hello deaf/hoh pplz,

My name is Tammy daniel.I am full deaf. Please all of u can add my profile and click it ok. I am here. I have new group here name DEAFWORLD..Welcome yall join my new group

HOWDY EVERYONE.

My name is Lesaann & am not totally deaf - am hearing impaired. I have no hearing in my left ear & only partial in my right. I wear a BTE in my right ear.  Looking forward to learning stuff on hear as well as meeting new people    

Welcome!  So glad you could make it!  I just wanted an expasnion on what a BTE is?  How does it work?  Thanks

Hi Everyone,

I'm a closed captioner and recently started doing CART, by remote and in person.  I never even knew there was a deaf culture!  They certainly never mentioned it in school.  The hearing need to have their eyes opened!

I'm trying to learn ASL to better communicate with deaf and HOH community.

Lynn

Hi Sandra,

Bte - means a behind the ear - hearing aid.

I luv closed captioning-makes it soo easy for me to wawtch tv & not blow out everyone around me.

You know -I've always hesitated to learn ASL. Not the brightest star in the sky lol & i dont really know anyone who uses it. But always wish i had learned. My hearing has gotten a bit worse & i often wonder what i will do when it gets so bad that my aid doesnt help anymore. You guys are lucky you know asl!

wow - THAT IS REALLY GREAT. I STILL USE ADAPTERS ON MY TEL, AS LITTLE AS IT IS, I AM LUCKY I STILL HAVE A "SOME" HEARING.

Hi everyone!  I just happened across this group while searching for resources to use in the Basic ASL class I am teaching at church. ASL and the Deaf culture are a major part of my life. In addition to earning a degree in ASL (hopefully I will graduate soon), I am a member of a Deaf church where my husband is the pastor and I am the choir director. My husband is a CODA and we are very involved in the deaf community. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you!

Hello everyone!  I am so happy I found this group!  I am not deaf, but am dying to learn sign language.  Maybe one day I will be an interpreter but for now I just want to learn for myself.  I want to go and meet deaf people in my area and make friends in the deaf community.  I took a few lessons many years ago.  At the time I had to ride my bike for 20 minutes and then catch a ride with some other hearing people who wanted to learn and the drive was 1hr and 30mins.  After a while the group dissapated and I no longer had a ride!  Every since then I have been looking for a place to take lessons again.  I hope I can find some help and support in this group!!!  I am sooooo excited

When I was younger I had a speech difficulty and signed for about 3 years while in speech therapy. I now find use for it on my job and everyday life when trying to communicate with those who are hard of hearing or otherwise unable to understand what I am trying to say.

SpiritEagle

Hi all!  I'm not deaf, but very hearing impaired and can't afford hearing aids.  If my hearing gets much worse I'll be virtually deaf.  I had an aunt and uncle who taught at the School for Deaf in Talladega, Alabama for a very long time.  I once knew a little ASL, but have since forgotten what I knew.I would love to learn it properly as I may eventually need it.  Would love to chat with any of you.   

So nice to "meet" you all. I'm glad that you all decided to join our group.  If there's anything specific you need help with, we'd love to answer your questions!  Please feel free to explore and post up more comments.  Sandra