Ask the Teacher: What kind of sign language should I have my children learn?

By Michelle Tucker ©2010 Michelle Tucker

This is an important question that has to do with respecting true languages and the people who use them. The sign language that your children should be learning is American Sign Language. American Sign Language (ASL) is the language of Deaf people in America.
American Sign Language is characterized by:

Used and passed down of, by and for Deaf people who have a Deaf culture.
Signs (more than just iconic gestures) are signed in the syntax of ASL.
ASL is not linear (like English), in contrast, ASL has depth. There are layers of facial expression, body shift, eye gaze, head nod, and/or verb modulation.
ASL has fingerspelling. There is an American Sign Language alphabet that is used when a name or word needs to be spelled.

Best and Ideal-

You and your children want a Deaf person teaching ASL. My husband, who is Deaf, and I teach ASL. He is the expert in ASL. I can voice his explanations to the beginning ASL students. So, often an interpreter is at the first class or two of a beginning ASL class. Your children will not only learn a more true model of ASL from a Deaf techer but also be motivated to use their best signing in class.
One needs to practice. (Use it or loose it.) I have been signing for 35 years and am a nationally certified interpreter, but I still practice and go to workshops. You will find American Sign Language dictionaries, practice phrases and fingerspelling practice on-line. Once you've practiced, you need to sign with Deaf people. Your ASL teacher can give you ideas of what Deaf events are occuring in your vicinity.

My favorite ASL/Deaf culture links: