1. Don't bounce when fingerspelling. It's like watching shaky camera work.
Tips: Don't think "T-A-R-G-E-T." Sound it out... like you learn in English spelling! 2. Expect criticism, and accept your learning graciously.Remember: Native signers are RIGHT! Always take cue from Deaf critiques: it's THEIR language to correct!
3. The language you are learning is not your profitable platform.It's called "clout." Don't take credit-- it's not yours. Best way to spot this by others? They charge for their services; they aren't accepted or approved by Deaf community; they don't support the Deaf community, by accessible content or appropriate credit; they don't accept feedback.
4. People who want to (and are qualified to) will teach the language-- Read: you don't have to!Related: be humble! It is always better to be invited up than told to step down.
Not every Deaf person wants to teach you sign language-- not every artist wants to teach you how to draw! Do not take it upon yourself, a newbie learner, to teach ASL! (A) It's not your place. (B) If you're passionate about sharing ASL and Deaf-accessibility awareness: feature Deaf-authored sources! There are SO. MANY. GOOD. teaching; awareness; and content-creator accounts that are Deaf-authored!! Tips for finding them: - Check the bottom of the website that your Google search pulled up for a note saying it's by Deaf authors or contributors or Deaf-approved. - Check bios on social media accounts to see if admin is Deaf/ CODA/ HoH/ Interpreter, etc. Know who you are learning from! In general, this is the order of who to learn from... the hierarchy of who signs "correctly," whose signs are generally accepted by the Deaf community:
And an extra for going into the next year of learning: 5. There's no such thing as "baby sign language."It's just sign language. So, any "resources" you see that are advertising/ teaching "baby" sign language is cultural appropriation by Hearing people. Note: it's an AWESOME idea to teach babies sign language! It helps language acquisition and DOES NOT DELAY SPEAKING. Do some Googling and read/ watch some Deaf content about it. Look for early or young educational resources for teaching sign language... just not "baby sign language." It's not an issue to teach Hearing babies ASL; the issue is the hypocrisy of Hearing parents scorning teaching Deaf babies ASL rather than speech therapy, etc., and then turning around and doting over "baby sign language" for Hearing babies.
Please, comment below! Questions about any of these topics are welcomed. Share your favorite resources, or let me know what you're looking for a resource of, and I'll share my favorite Deaf-authored sources for that aspect of ASL and/or Deaf culture!
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