Myths About Sign Language

MYTH #1 SIGN LANGUAGE IS DIFFICULT TO LEARN.

Sign language is one of the most fascinating languages to learn. Some people have the innate ability to acquire language without too much effort. While others, have a difficult time learning sign language. Regardless, if you are interested in learning sign language, you should find the easiest and most effective way for you to learn. There are sign language websites that offer a great way to learn. These websites are not only affordable, but make it easy to learn. Search for a website that offers video format for ease of learning. In addition, websites offer many learning aides to help you become fluent in sign language. Furthermore, the more you practice the better it will be. And, some web sites offer feedback from the subscribers, and often, that feedback is then put into the web site. For example, if you want to know the signs for a particular word, or list of words, submit it to that web site and it will be included soon, if the web site offers this feature.

MYTH #2 SIGN LANGUAGE IS USED BY THE ENTIRE DEAF COMMUNITY.

Sign language is embraced by the Deaf community. However, not every member of the Deaf community uses sign language. Some deaf people read lips, while others learned how to sign. However, with reading lips, there are a lot of misunderstandings that take place. With sign language, less confusion takes place. Today, approximately eighty percent of the Deaf community uses sign language, compared to twenty percent that lip read. Unfortunately, not many families that have deaf family members learn how to sign. Ninety-five percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents, of which, eighty percent do not know sign language.

MYTH #3 SIGN LANGUAGE IS ANOTHER FORM OF SHORTHAND.

Sign language is not another form of shorthand. In fact, sign language has its own grammatical and linguistic structure. Sign language incorporates facial expressions, body language, grammatical features, fingerspelling, and much more. With sign language, it is important to not think that it is a form of shorthand, but a way deaf people communicate with each other.

MYTH #4 SIGN LANGUAGE IS USED ONLY BY DEAF PEOPLE.

Sign language is used by deaf and hearing people alike. There are many hearing people that learn sign language because of a family member or close friend. There are other hearing people that learn sign language to become interpreters for the deaf. Plus, thousands of people learn sign language to help them in the work place. If you are thinking about becoming an interpreter for the deaf, there are numerous programs that will help you achieve this goal. Regardless of the reason for learning sign language, it is a great way to learn about a new culture, and to communicate with those who cannot hear.

MYTH #5 FACIAL EXPRESSIONS ARE NOT IMPORTANT IN SIGN LANGUAGE.

Facial expressions are one of the most important features in sign language. In fact, without facial expressions, you cannot fully convey the meaning of your message. When learning sign language, facial expressions happen naturally. In the beginning, you tend to learn vocabulary and signs without the facial expressions. Then, as you develop your ability to sign, your face will start to show expressions and feelings. The more confident you are in your signing production, the better your facial expressions will become.