ASL - American Sign Language

[jbsoonerfan]

Does anyone here know ASL or know of an easy way to learn it? I have a niece that married a deaf man and he is a really nice guy. I hate that I have no way to communicate with him at family gatherings. I have been watching YouTube videos and I even enrolled in an online class with the Oklahoma School for the Deaf this semester to try to learn it so I can communicate with him. Do any of you have any tips or tricks, because so far, I am not doing very well. LOL

[Mike L]

I can’t help, but I admire you for not letting it get in the way of trying to make him feel welcome. 
And especially your niece, for not letting it get in the way of finding her true Love. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

[Jigfishn10]

I worked with a deaf person for years, I just picked up what I could. I never got all that good with it, but enough where we could co-exist.

 

EDIT: Yeah, no, I won't be much of a help.

[Junger]

I learned some ASL in elementary school because we had a program that comingled deaf and regular students. I think one trick to help you learn it faster is to learn signing your favorite songs.

[TnRiver46]

I live right next to Tennessee school for the deaf, I’ve had lots of friends work there. I can ask around about the best ways to learn, I think all my friends majored in it during college 

[NorcalBassin]

My wife minored in def education in undergrad and had quite a few def friends. I picked up the simple things like hello/good-bye, yes/no, eat/drink and a few others, but fortunately for me they were incredible lip readers. My wife taught our kids the alphabet signs and to this day they all know they can communicate that way in front of me and I won't have a clue what they're talking about. Odds are you're doing all the right things to learn on your own right now, and you breaking out any signing at all next time you see him is going to be greatly appreciated.

[Carpenater]

If I ever pursued a teaching career that is what I would want to teach.  I think it is a cool and interesting way of communication.  Major kudus to those who teach and use it.

[jbsoonerfan]

5 minutes ago, Carpenater said:

If I ever pursued a teaching career that is what I would want to teach.  I think it is a cool and interesting way of communication.  Major kudus to those who teach and use it.

My kids are going to take the class with my wife and I. My 10 year old daughter is really interested in learning. I told her it would be great for her to learn it and maybe even major in it when she gets to college. Much like Spanish, knowing sign lanuage can open up a world of opportunities for a person.