This post makes some really good points about why we should teach ASL to everyone, not just deaf people. American Sign Language (ASL) is a vibrant and expressive visual language that serves as the primary means of communication for the deaf and hard of hearing community in the US and most of Canada. Unlike spoken languages, ASL relies on a rich combination of handshapes, facial expressions, body movements, and spatial orientation to convey meaning. It is a complete and distinct language with its own grammar and syntax, offering a unique mode of communication that fosters cultural identity and community among those who use it. ASL plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and breaking down barriers, allowing deaf individuals to engage fully in various aspects of society, from everyday conversations to academic pursuits and artistic expression.
Bill Vicars YouTube & lifeprint.com
Broaden that to the sign language used in that person’s region and it’s a good idea. Different regions use different sign languages, knowing ASL is less useful if you’re somewhere that uses, say, British Sign Language (BSL). In the UK for sometime primary school children were taught MAKATON sign language, a sign language that shares a lot of signs with BSL aimed at children and adults with learning difficulties. I learned MAKATON when I worked in care and have found that it’s close enough to BSL that I can have very basic conversations with BSL users, enough to get by.
It is important to remember, however, that not all deaf people use sign language.