The Power of Playing in ASL

ASL is the most complexly intelligent and powerful language we the Deaf have. When playing in ASL, there are no rules. Playing in ASL brings out all the language tools we have at our disposal. Playing in ASL is not only fun, it’s one of the most important ways we can nurture our language development. Each of us is unique. We each have our own preferences for how ASL is played. Some like lots of action in ASL; others prefer more poetic, calm play in ASL.

Playing in ASL is a skill that takes a lot of time and practice to develop. From day one, Deaf children, if exposed to ASL, develop the kind of concentration, passion, and creative excitement that ASL brings to them. On the other hand, students of ASL as a second language can go from imitating what they see in ASL to using their imagination in ASL. Both Deaf children and ASL students use their hands and fingers for describing different objects. This allows them to do it again… and again… and again…to acquire and incorporate ASL. Through repetition, they figure out how ASL works. This kind of language repetition helps them know what to expect in ASL, how to predict in ASL, and when to boost their self-confidence in using ASL.

Playing in ASL doesn’t always have to be full of action. Looking at books, reading stories, and translating them into ASL do help us to build our imagination and literacy skills. If we choose to act it out, we can have fantasy play in ASL, using items like hats, magic wands and whatever else we can find. When we do, we expand on our ideas and also bring about our thoughts and feelings as we act out through playing in the language we know the best.

Playing in ASL is not a task. It’s fun and spontaneous. Playing in ASL is powerful.