Sign language is a unique language because the mode in which communication occurs is not through the typical means of sound. Sign language uses hand signs, facial expressions, and overall body movement to develop and establish communication. Now, many of the actions and hand signs, so far in my experience, are easy to sign – dexterity wise. I can move my wrists and fingers in all the appropriate formats and degrees without much difficulty. However, what I have found interesting within ASL is the speed and fluency at which signers spell. The ASL alphabet mirrors the letter of English and the designated spelling for words. Although, many proper nouns, abstract concepts, or specific terminology does not have a universal sign. Let us take the biological word “prokaryotic” for example. A prokaryotic cell is one that, in essence, lacks a nucleus. However, this is a word that is not often used in daily conversation if you are not in the sciences, thus the word does not have its own, widely designated sign. The sign for a prokaryotic cell is unique from person to person and unique from situation to situation. Because there is no sign for such a word, signers will often clarify their meaning through the use of fingerspelling. Using just their hands, singers would spell “P” “R” “O”… until the word was spelled out.
When I read words on a page, I do not look at each individual letter to identify what the word is and it's meaning. Words are connected and read holistically. However, when I sign out spelled words with my language partner, this is not the case. I am reading each hand-letter sign as an individual letter, making it difficult to construct and find the signed spelled word’s meaning. With time and practice, I imagine I will learn to develop the skill of reading hand signs in a holistic manner, but until that occurs, I am baffled with those with the ability to can read these spelled words.
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