Would you like to learn sign language, out of interest, for your studies or because someone in your family is hearing impaired? There can be several reasons why sign language has aroused your interest. In this article, we will explain how to learn sign language. It is not easy, but.....exercises makes perfect!
Sign language, as the name suggests, it is a language, a way of communicating, based on gestures. It is a natural language, you mainly use your hands (manually) and also your eyes (visually). In the spoken language we make particular use of our voice (oral) and of our hearing (auditory). So you could say that sign language is a visual language, it is also a full-fledged language and has its own grammar. We explain this on the basis of an example. If you say the book is on the cabinet, then that can be made clear in the sign language with pointing to the cabinet and a book. The order is different, first point to the cabinet and then to the book and then point to OP (the cabinet). In the Netherlands, sign language is abbreviated with NGT (Dutch Sign Language).
Sign language is used for prelingual deaf people. These are people who are born deaf or who become deaf to the age that they can make the language their own. Deaf people also want to communicate with each other and they use gestures.
It is sometimes difficult when others can’t hear you to communicate with each other. Sign language plays a major role in this. Many people communicate with deaf people and hearing impaired people in these ways:
When you have someone in your area who is born deaf, for example, it is nice that you can still communicate with each other. You can then learn a sign language course. These are offered in various places. You can also buy a book and then learn the hand gestures (by letter), but sometimes it is nicer to get lessons in sign language, so that you can also be sure that you learn it well (an expert looks with you). You can also practice with each other and get tips on how to portray a gesture. Some gestures are a lot similar and of course you do not want miscommunication.
If you want to learn sign language, the course often consists of a number of levels. You will have to start at the beginning and then you will teach yourself the basic knowledge. Then you can go one step further each time:
What gestures you learn also depends on where you communicate with each other. At work, you ask each other different questions than when you want to communicate with friends. Other important aspects that you can learn with a sign language course include:
It is nice when you can communicate with each other about the daily activities. For that you need patience and it is also important that you know what the answers can be and to make these gestures your own.
At work, communicating through sign language can sometimes be difficult. Not everyone knows the gestures and therefore a text phone or fax is often used at work. But there are more aspects that need to be thought of when there are people at work who cannot hear well:
Sign Language
Sign language, as the name suggests, it is a language, a way of communicating, based on gestures. It is a natural language, you mainly use your hands (manually) and also your eyes (visually). In the spoken language we make particular use of our voice (oral) and of our hearing (auditory). So you could say that sign language is a visual language, it is also a full-fledged language and has its own grammar. We explain this on the basis of an example. If you say the book is on the cabinet, then that can be made clear in the sign language with pointing to the cabinet and a book. The order is different, first point to the cabinet and then to the book and then point to OP (the cabinet). In the Netherlands, sign language is abbreviated with NGT (Dutch Sign Language).
Who is sign language for?
Sign language is used for prelingual deaf people. These are people who are born deaf or who become deaf to the age that they can make the language their own. Deaf people also want to communicate with each other and they use gestures.
Dealing with sign language
It is sometimes difficult when others can’t hear you to communicate with each other. Sign language plays a major role in this. Many people communicate with deaf people and hearing impaired people in these ways:
- Body language is often understood by deaf people.
- The attention can be asked by tapping the shoulder (quietly).
- Make eye contact with each other.
- The Dutch Sign Language is often used, the deaf themselves use it a lot, but interpreters also use this.
- You can sometimes also speak and support Dutch with clear gestures. Someone then speaks Dutch clearly articulated in which the reading of speech is made possible. This can then be supported with gestures, so that it is better understood for the other.
- Letter gestures are also often used, all letters have their own gesture. This can be put in, when it is difficult to make a word clear. You can then show letter by letter by means of a gesture, ideal when it comes to strange words or names.
- Pen and paper can also help to make things clear just like the computer.
Course sign language learning
When you have someone in your area who is born deaf, for example, it is nice that you can still communicate with each other. You can then learn a sign language course. These are offered in various places. You can also buy a book and then learn the hand gestures (by letter), but sometimes it is nicer to get lessons in sign language, so that you can also be sure that you learn it well (an expert looks with you). You can also practice with each other and get tips on how to portray a gesture. Some gestures are a lot similar and of course you do not want miscommunication.
- See in your area which course is offered to learn sign language.
- Take the sign language course together with someone, so that you can also practice at home.
- Choose an extensive course so that you can learn everything well and take the time to make everything your own during an extensive course.
Content course sign language learning
If you want to learn sign language, the course often consists of a number of levels. You will have to start at the beginning and then you will teach yourself the basic knowledge. Then you can go one step further each time:
- The basics often consist of asking about what your name is, do you want coffee, can I help you?
- You then move on to daily activities and questions, such as what day is it today? Questions like do you have scissors? There is especially practical practice, things that you encounter every day.
What gestures you learn also depends on where you communicate with each other. At work, you ask each other different questions than when you want to communicate with friends. Other important aspects that you can learn with a sign language course include:
- What are you wearing today?
- When do we go?
- Are you ready?
- Where are you going?
- Do you remember?
- Do you have plans on the weekends?
- Go to the movies together?
It is nice when you can communicate with each other about the daily activities. For that you need patience and it is also important that you know what the answers can be and to make these gestures your own.
Sign language at work
At work, communicating through sign language can sometimes be difficult. Not everyone knows the gestures and therefore a text phone or fax is often used at work. But there are more aspects that need to be thought of when there are people at work who cannot hear well:
- A visible fire alarm (they don't hear an alarm going off).
- Infrared installation in meeting rooms.
- Call system that is visible (which indicates what is needed and what needs to be achieved).
- In a newsletter at work, the basic gestures can be placed, so that everyone can learn the basics or to offer colleagues the opportunity to follow a sign language course. This stimulates and improves collaboration and communication.
- Communication is important, that is clear. Without communication or miscommunication, a lot goes wrong. Investing in time in sign language is not so crazy. It makes your world bigger, both for the hearing impaired and for the hearing people. You are an experience richer if you master sign language and you can also mean a lot to your hearing impaired fellow human being, colleague, family member etc.