Hello everyone!
I apologize for the delay in posting my language journals. We could not start our language lessons until the first week of February because of some logistical issues, but I learnt so much in a single month that I now have a lot of things to share!
I am a beginner in ASL and am having an incredibly great time learning such a unique language that is teaching me how to be more patient and comfortable with not knowing everything. Our ASL learning team consists of five people, which I realize is a big group in a self-directed language session. The team members are: Nibras and I (both beginners with no prior experience in ASL), Eli (with 2 semesters of prior ASL learning experience), Kaye (our ASL translator), and Reba- our ASL language partner who is completely deaf. Working in a group with such different age groups, language backgrounds, technology experience, and ASL competency, comes with its own set of challenges. However, we have been able to work through them and still create a great ASL learning experience.
In the first few lessons, we wanted to focus on fingerspelling as it is the building block of ASL. The most difficult task about starting ASL learning was getting used to the silence during our sessions. I have always been a very vocal person and being able to talk is a core part of my identity. So, not being able to use that voice was a little overwhelming in the beginning. However, we were able to learn finger spelling within a week itself and that gave me a sense of control about how I could communicate. One thing that I found interesting was how fingerspelling signs try to replicate the English alphabet whenever possible. For example, letter “C” is signed as an arc made with all five fingers, letter “T” signed by slipping the thumb in between index and middle finger- which in fact looks like English alphabet T and so on. During my initial research, I had read that ASL was not modeled on English and I have seen how ASL’s language structure is completely different than that of English. So, it was surprising to see some level of borrowing from the English language in ASL, but I guess the borrowing and overlap is true for almost any language around the world.
After fingerspelling, we learnt how to sign numbers from 1 to 20. The 1 to 10 category was fairly easy to learn, but numbers 11 to 20 are signed with only slight modifications from the 1 to 10 category. This made number signing a little more confusing than fingerspelling for me. Once we had mastered fingerspelling and numbers, we moved onto other words that are more frequently used in conversations such as yes, no, question, understood, why, where, when, how, how much, how are you and so on. This experience helped me realize that the biggest challenge in my ASL learning journey was going to be facial expressions. I would say ASL is as much about facial expressions as it is about signs. Our language partner Reba often makes me redo the signs because I sign things correctly but lack the supporting facial expression. For example, if you sign “yes” in ASL, it has to accompanied by an enthusiastic facial expression and head shaking. This was really hard for me because English speaking in the US is almost devoid of any sort of facial expression and not every “yes” comes from a place of great enthusiasm; it could be a routine response to a simple yes or no question. However, I have come to understand how important facial expressions are for ASL, where tone of voice cannot serve as an indicator of one’s emotions. Thus, I will be focusing on improving my facial expressions in the upcoming months.
The next step in my ASL learning process is to start working on expanding my ASL vocabulary. Unlike fingerspelling, there will be no definite end to this. We will be primarily using Barron’s American Sign Language to recreate scenarios and sign about them. Watching Reba sign and then creating a mental formula to connect the sign and the meaning has been really helpful in memorizing things. I intend to continue doing that while also watching ASL videos on YouTube (though they sometimes feel too advanced for my current ASL comprehension level.)
Overall, I am really glad I chose to take ASL. It is helping me understand the role of languages in improving human connection from an entirely different lens. This would not have been possible with any other “spoken” languages. Also, I do not remember learning any of the other four languages that I currently speak. So, it has been humbling to experience the anxiety and uncertainty of being a new language learner again. The timing of this is perfect. I am graduating in two months and my ASL lessons are a really nice reminder about how there will always be more knowledge to gather in the world and more skills to learn :).
Replies
Two of the things that you said that really stuck out to me was the significance of silence while learning ASL and the importance of facial expressions. I think since these things are some of the norms that it is not something people even think about until they are put into the situation or come across the situation. Having talked to Susmita about her experience learning ASL and then reading this, I realize how different of a process it is to learning a new language, but still has the similar fundamentals.
Susmita, I have very enjoyed being able to learn and practice ASL alongside you this semester. I wholeheartedly agree about the part where learning ASL also helps you to become a more patient individual. I’m sure we both felt that at various parts throughout the semester. I think we did a great job on our presentation and your topic regarding the debate of hearing aids vs cochlear implants really gave me a different perspective on what it’s like to be Deaf. I wish you the very best in life and your continuation in learning ASL. I look forward to our silent dinner with Ms. Kaye one day.
I honestly never thought about how much silence there would be in the learning process of ASL, although it definitely makes sense! I would feel really intimidated and understand the struggle of having to be patient with the learning process. That's so interesting that ASL finger spelling is similar to how the letters in English are formed. I didn't realize that until you showed me during the class presentations (you did an amazing job by the way!). I feel like if more people understood this about ASL, then our society would be more inclusive to the Deaf community.