Transcript:
Hello! My name is Keri and my name sign is "8" on the side of the chin. The reason for this name sign is that my family is from Ireland and in Ireland, the sign for "K" is "8." So the name sign has stuck ever since.
Anyway, welcome to my weblog titled "ASL Junkie." The reason I set up this blog is because a few months ago I realized that I was really frustrated with my own language which is ASL. I feel limited using ASL. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that ASL as a language is limiting. For example, when I read books to my 2-year-old son in ASL, I sign to him until I come across a word that doesn't have a sign. There's no excuse for that because that particular word (usually a noun) has been around for a long time therefore there should be a sign for it. Evidently, I have to resort to fingerspelling for such words. Please understand that I don't have a problem fingerspelling short words such as CAR, BAG, or DOG. Those words are fine but I'm talking about longer words that I have to fingerspell. My son is only 2 and long words would be incomprehensible to him.
It so happened that I met Peter Cook and while he was telling me a story, he signed a word (both hands laying sideways with closed "5" handshape side and movement is like a helmet cover opening and closing) . I interrupted him and asked what that sign meant. It was the sign for "knight." I thought it was a cool sign and it made perfect sense! Now when I read stories to my son, I can incorporate this sign without resorting to fingerspelling.
Later that same week, I also met Coco, the DeafBlind woman, and she happened to use a sign while we were talking (weak hand in "1" handshape while dominant hand pinching tip of left pointer finger). It was the sign for "asparagus." Another cool sign! Canada has many cool signs that are different from Americans. Just yesterday I learned another cool Canadian sign...oh, wait, it was not a Canadian sign...never mind about that but the sign for "pancake" I learned was the weak hand being palm up while the dominant hand makes a circle around the weak hand with the pointer finger and touches the palm after completing the circle. I thought it was a cool sign! Finally an ASL sign, not English sign that I was sick of using ("p" handshape on palm with same movement as "cook"). It was the only sign that I knew for "pancake." I tried to come up with another sign for pancake but it never felt right. I've tried to come up with my own sign for different things but I feel that it needs to be shared with others to spread its usage. I want to throw out English words and you to tell me what your sign for those words are. I don't mean to use English to apply ASL concepts. There are things like people, places and names of things that should have a sign but do not.
One good example is that there are no signs for many vegetables, i.e. "broccoli." I don't know what your sign is for "broccoli" but my sign is similar to the sign for "tree" only the wrist of the dominant hand touches the weak hand's arm and makes a "row" of broccoli along the arm. It's the best sign I could come up with. If you have a sign for "broccoli," do share it with me. I would be happy to share it with everyone on this weblog and even use it myself. Also, my ASL students could benefit from your knowledge.
There was another time that I got together with a group of deaf women, maybe 3 months ago. We were outside hiking in the woods and one woman talked about a tree and signed a word to describe it (bent pointer finger at nose and wrist bent to move bent pointer finger down-similar to sign for "witch"). I asked her what the sign meant and she replied that it meant "rotten." It's a neat sign and a very old one too used by older generations here in Vermont. I don't know if you or others use the same sign or not.
So this place (weblog) is a perfect place for those who are addicted to ASL (ASL Junkies) to come together and brainstorm/share signs. This will further the development of ASL as a language instead of allowing English signs or fingerspelling to take over. Fingerspelling ought to be completely removed from ASL. Honestly, ASL does not need fingerspelling except for names. There are just too many words that should have signs but do not. Many countries in other parts of the world don't even have fingerspelling. ASL should be the same way or at least similar. Maybe you disagree with me on this and feel that fingerspelling is an important part of ASL. That's fine with me since you have a right to your own opinions. As for me, I am just feeling frustrated and tired of fingerspelling repeatedly. That's just me. (laugh)
I hope you will visit this weblog and watch my vlogs, share the signs you use, your experiences, whatever you like. Everyone is welcome! Thank you! (thumbs up)
19 comments:
Keri,
You appear very sincere in your love for ASL. But your comments about wanting to remove spelling from ASL and the need to invent more signs show an appalling lack of understanding about linguistics in general and ASL linguistics in particular. Forgive me for replying when I'm too tired to find sources online to cite here, but I had to respond and point that out. There is research showing that when we fingerspell to our children/students, their English improves by leaps and bounds. The research strongly shows that inventing signs or a few people agreeing on a sign just because they don't want to fingerspell are doing children a grave disservice. And I personally feel that it's disrespectful to ASL.
Keri, I get tired of spelling sometimes too, but it's so much better to let a sign emerge naturally rather than forcing it, like you're trying to do here.
To Anonymous:
I disagree with that. While I do agree that fingerspelling (regardless of whether you are ASL or hearing or whatever) is important. But there is a difference between hearing learning to spell and ASL learning to spell.
Look. Hearing people hear a word. Deaf people see a word. Hearing people see the word written and spelled and associate it to that sound they never heard before. There's a logical process of mental association. First create the object, then create the definition and its spelling.
Same thing for ASLers. First learn the object (through a sign) then learn the word itself.
Words are first expressed and then converted to text. Instead of forcing children to be overloaded with fingerspelling (which is daunting), they should be taught to seek out word equivalents to signs they learn. That will develop a far better literacy skill in my opinion.
That's just my opinion, even if there are citations on the Internet that dispute my belief here.
As a teacher in several classrooms with both hearing and Deaf children, I can tell you that children benefit in development in both languages by clear presentations in each. While a child may improve their vocabulary by using spelling and fingerspelling, they are unlikely to improve their cognitive comprehension of the grammar of both languages because they would be functionally code-switching between those languages and would therefore have no clear picture of either. This is what often results in "ASL-ized English" and "English-ized ASL."
I agree with Keri it would be infinitely valuable to develop the vocabulary of ASL and that while fingerspelling has been used as an unproven tool to improve the vocabulary of Deaf children, it has done so at the cost of fluency at higher levels and the cost of the continued development of ASL as a language.
Good work, Keri...
Welcome to vlogger world!!
Fantastic idea! It's place to share the signs. I often see people come up with signs that are not fit properly such as using SEE signs, etc.
The sign of pancake is something I never saw -- I had seen "P" but we usually use the same "format" without "P" - like cook -- depending the context. I like the sign you learned.
Share what you learn
:)
Hi Keri,
You are similar as mine smile. However I do love Vlog while I watching any body sign and do improve me alot something like I never seen this before . Really I can do ASL as normal as can change better sign newer than old sign with along to make sense. For child start off on sign basic yes pick it up then understand better then go with Finger spelling as require relate understand the word sign.....but some sign word do not have it then finger spell. Really I rather ASL sign in 90% over than fingerspell because more faster and clear understand. Yep I do get sometime tire for fingerspell. Your Good Vlog subject bring just fine. :)
Thanks
Davy
Hola madam Keri ;-)
I disagree with anonymous (you should think up of a better name than hiding behind anonymous) - I am no linguist, but I can tell you that there are more benefits of signing broccoli in asl than spelling it to a two year old. Once the 2 year old has the understanding of broccoli (sign in mind) then he will grow up telling Mommy "I dont like (signs broccoli)" than spending three years learning how to spell Broccoli the right way and these years wasted by Mommy forcing him to eat broccoli because she didn't understand his spelling. Just saying.
The French do not fingerspell while they sign unless its for their name or clarification. The same goes to many countries. Americans, in my opinion, are the ones who fingerspell the most. I use PSE because I like it, but being Canadian, I find that I sign more than Americans do.
Welcome to the vlogging world, 8, I really appreciate your site and transcripts.
wahooooo
xo coco
Welcome Keri! I enjoyed your vlog muchly! If you can add video comments to your v/blog here, you might get more people sharing their ASL, regional signs or gestures used at home. Contact Talyer Mayer for info on how to add video comments.
~ LaRonda
www.earofmyheart.com
Hello,
Welcome you here blog/vlog on DeafRead!
Yeah, I understand where you're coming from.
SEE sign languages has to go!
ASL is the best natural languages.
You was mentioned about "P" pancake. I don't use that and usually flip flop full hand palm both hands. I'll explain you what look like ASL. :)
If suppose r u in Webcam chat rooms, would be great benefits throw feedbacks chatting about ASL instead finger spelling.. (chuckles)
Hey Keri,
It's fun to see this new b/vlog of yours. I get frustrated with f'spelling with my 2yo. he's just now beginning to understand f'spelling his name, forget broccoli. :-)
By the way, while we're on the subjct of food signs. Is there a sign for "waffle"? I usually sign "toast", since that's what we do with it. (You taught me the sign for toast *grin*)
Jeannette
Hey there, Keri! Welcome to vlogsphere :)
The other day Carol Padden gave a fascinating presentation on the role of fingerspelling in ASL. She argued that FSing has an important role in ASL. However, people need to understand there is a difference between English spelling and ASL FS - ASL FS have its flow. Be sure to check out some of Carl's vlogs on this subject. Ah found one.. http://youtube.com/watch?v=bbh-36y3XpA
CoCo's observations is correct - Americans tend to FS way more than Europeans and others. Interesting enough, ASL FS helps to distance ASL from English while Europeans' tendency to sign for everything links their sign language closer to spoken language of their respective countries.
Anyway, welcome and I shall be watching your page :)
Keri,
I'm so excited about this vlog!! This is just what I have been looking for! I am in total agreement with you on the fingerspelling thing. I hate it, I have a really hard time reading it, and it frustrates me to have to tell my students that I've never seen a sign for so many things. It makes them wonder why this language (that I also love with all my heart) has no word for things that every other language has a word for.
A perfect example of what you're talking about: You fingerspelled the name of your vlog A-S-L J-U-N-K-I-E. Did you do that to make a point? The irony seems too obvious. Here's how I would sign it: Open and close S handshapes quickly at about shoulder level for ASL, then hook the x handshape in the corner of your mouth for junkie.
I'm so glad we have a forum for discussing ASL itself. I am bookmarking you and will come here often to get my burning questions answered. LaRonda had a really valuable suggestion for making this easier.
And one last thing: Let the negative comments and criticism take a backseat to the greater good you are trying to do here. I'm not saying that we have nothing to learn from people with different opinions, just that I would hate to see this turn into one big argument and derail what I think is a brilliant idea, Best of luck! I look forward to seeing another post soon!
Keep it up! :) Looking forward to seeing your smiling face more...
~guess who ;-)
Hi Keri,
I watched your vlog with interest. I am not a linguist. However, I did take about 15 credits in linguistics at NYU and Gallaudet.
I am deaf of the deaf parents and of a hearing stepfather who could sign (himself an international foreign language translator). They used SSWEF (Signing Supported by Written English and Fingerspelling). My parents belonged to the generation of 1930s-40s. Most students at Gallaudet used SSWEF before 1960.More often than not do deaf people who use SSWEF mouth in English as they sign in SSWEF. I was first exposed to my parents's SSWEF prior to entering a Catholic oral school and gradually picked up ASL when I transferred to a residential school.
However, I have observed that some deaf people who use ASL indeed do mouth some words in English. For example, they would mouth "French," "have", "blue."
Stokoe said in 1970s that ASL is on the end of the continuum whilst fingerspelling is on the other end. So I would say that SSWE is in the middle. Fingerspelling is next to any spoken language.
Hi Keri!!
Great to see my good ol' friend on here! HUGS!!
You have legitimate point because I do get weary of spelling a lot of words that I don't know the sign of it. I asked around and no one know so I ended up spelling it.
One time, I remember that Jes asked me why are there many unpopular words have no signs as well as most vegetables. As much as I can't stand eating broccoli, I always have trouble spelling it!! I like how you sign it so I gonna tell Jes cuz that's his favorite vegetable.
I understand that it is impossible to have every word to be signed so nice to have some we need to come up with.
I always wanted to know the sign for "index" - anyone know?
-SG
I really love the idea of finding signs for normally fingerspelled words. Kevin and I were just discussing the sign for cucumber (and how not to make it look phallic) so that Liam can let us know if he wanted to have some.
Have you thought about collecting the signs from different people around the US, Canada and Europe (those who may respond to this blog) and keep the signs in a link somewhere so that others can see them for reference?
Katie
Keri
this is PURR-fect. I totally agree with you and one particular area I am mostly frusturated with are ASL signs for Space, Astronomy. How many times can we use the sign STAR to represent so many astronomy based ideas? A lot of abstract signs or specific terminilogy within certain topics can be frusturating because there is so few signs to describe these ideas.
Two signs I would like to nominate
Kate Breen showed me a sign for Tourist, basically you take the the same handshape for TOUR and apply it to the temple like THINK.
Another one I learned from Beth is Broccoli, make a S handshape with your non dominant hand, and a V handshape for your dominant hand, the V rest on the side of your S handshape right below the pinky region, I will try to send you the video showing you these two signs.
Back in college when I attended Pitt U I took a lot of criminology courses and the word criminal came up so much that my terp and I decided to use the sign UGLY, with both hands to represent Criminals. Ironically I see it use today and almost wonder if it was picked up from our "creation" or it is was natural to develop that sign for criminals?
Anyways I have to disagree with the way you sign "Knight" bc it looks too similar to Fall-Asleep or Shut-Out. I propose the person stands as if they were holding a sheild and spear or sword kinda like the soldiers from Gladiator or 300.... thats just my thoughts, I look forward to seeing more postings :)
-DC
Will you be posting again or answering any questions? If you could let us know how often you plan to post it would save me the frustration of constantly checking!
We have the same thing in our family. ASL just lacks a lot of signs for things we need and there are times when finger spelling doesn't cut it.
I was first introduced to sign because I had a deaf/blind aunt and uncle. We aren't deaf in our immediate family but we use signing a lot. First it is with our children from birth because they can understand signs and start signing almost immediately while verbal language takes much longer, especially the expressive form.
The other thing is that when we're working outdoors around noisy equipment on the farm we want to be very clear in our communications for the sake of safety. Speech gets garbled, especially since we have ear protection on.
Like you, we find resorting to the finger spelling to be too cumbersome in many situations. It is impossible at any distance so we have made up needed signs that communicate what we need to say and can be seen clearly without being confused with anything else. That makes our farm work safer.
We still use finger spelling but in its place. I view finger spelling more like learning to read than to talk or hear. It has a very different modality than signs. The other thing we do is use short hand finger spelling. That is just enough to get the point across. This is harder with strangers though. Within the family we all have similar thoughts and context which makes that work more easily.
Cheers
-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org
I'm so going to e-mail you about this. :) In my family, we do fingerspell - but we also use descriptions a lot. Of course, my kid's still young, but for stuff like broccoli, based on what my mom told me she did with me, she would just describe the shape/color, and then I'd know what she meant. Then she'd spell to reinforce the language acquisition process, of course. Like peas, she'd say 'green' then use the F shape to show "small circles"....and so on. I plan on doing the same with my kid(s)...describing, describing, f-s if I want, and using the written language in addition to reinforce everything. But ask me in a year when my kid's a bit older and see if I still am doing this. ;)
Post a Comment