ASL has recently become, for lack of a better term, more "mainstream," and this increased visbility has allowed me to engage with the language in innovative and exciting ways. One of the most intersing ways I've been able to do this is through TikTok live videos. Every morning, while eating breakfast and getting ready for the day, I spend time watching live streams created by native ASL signers. Even though I still do not understand everything being signed, I have found that regularly exposing myself to the language helps improve my comprehension skills over time. Watching fluent signers communicate naturally allows me to recognize repeated signs, understand facial expressions and body language more clearly, and become more familiar with the rhythm and structure of ASL conversations. It has also helped me realize that ASL is much more than simply signing individual words. One creator in particular, @_this_real_JB is one my favorite live streamers to watch in the morning. Because he is an ASL Communication Coach, he tends to sign at a slightly slower pace which makes it easier for me to follow along and recognize signs that I have already learned. He also uses many basic and commonly used signs that are familiar to me as a beginner, giving me confidence when I am able to understand parts of the conversation without needing additional explanation. I can usually "fill in" the rest using context clues. Beyond simply improving my vocabulary, these livestreams have also introduced me to Deaf culture in ways I may not have experienced otherwise, like how much emotion and personality can be communicated through facial expressions, movement, and signing style.
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