Tag Archive for: learn sign language

Learn ASL through Pop Culture: Deaf Representation in the Media

Learn ASL through Pop Culture A handy way to learn ASL (American Sign Language) is by watching Deaf characters use signs in movies, videos, and TV shows. Today, viewers in the US and other parts of the world are doing so more frequently than ever. One reason for this change is the greater number of […]

Learn ASL Online During Long Holidays: Make the Most of Your Time Off and Enhance Your Communication Skills

Learn ASL Online During Long Holidays For many, a common cure for daily stress is spending a long holiday lying on the beach soaking up the sun. However, stress relief is taking on a new and different form these days. Thanks to the rising appeal and accessibility of learning holidays, many people are now relaxing […]

How Deaf Children Reacted to BTS Using ASL, KSL, and ISL

How Deaf Children Reacted to BTS Using ASL, KSL, and ISL South Korean boy band BTS’s use of sign language in their July 2021 “Permission to Dance” music video received worldwide acclaim.  In particular, the group was applauded for including Korean Sign Language (KSL), International Sign Language (ISL), and American Sign Language (ASL) into their […]

Hand Talk: The Native American Sign Language that Predated ASL

Hand Talk: The Native American Sign Language that Predated ASL  All humans have unique ways of communicating to navigate the world and interpret daily events. Although the spoken language is the most common way to do so, not all of us can use it. In addition, those who are Deaf or Hard of hearing (D/HoH) […]

Ten Fun Ways to Learn American Sign Language (ASL) 

Ten Fun Ways to Learn American Sign Language (ASL)  Besides opening up new possibilities for interacting with the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing (D/HoH) community, choosing to learn American Sign Language (ASL) has many other benefits. For instance, it increases signers’ awareness of their facial expressions and body language, which can be helpful in social interactions. Also, […]

Sioux Falls School Expands American Sign Language Program

Sioux Falls School Expands American Sign Language Program Most US high schools have only recently begun accepting American Sign Language (ASL) as an option for foreign language study. This is true even though the language has been used for decades by Deaf and Hard-of-hearing people across the US and Canada. ASL is a visual way […]

How American Sign Language has Changed Over Time

How American Sign Language has Changed Over Time Change is clearly a characteristic of every language. For instance, in 2022, the Oxford English Dictionary added 650 new words, senses, and sub-entries. But American Sign Language (ASL) has several qualities that can cause change more quickly than in English.  Around the world, digital media are constantly […]

Parents Push for More American Sign Language Education for Deaf Children

Parents Push for More American Sign Language Education for Deaf Children More than 90 percent of D/deaf children in the United States have parents who can hear. Surprisingly, however, most of these parents never make the effort to learn American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with their kids. 75% never use sign language in the […]

9-Month-Old Deaf Baby Signs ‘Milk’ in American Sign Language – Deaf Family Overjoyed

Deaf Family Proud of Nine-Month-Old Deaf Son Who Signed ‘Milk’ Using American Sign Language American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual means of communication. When people use sign language, their brains sort out and interpret linguistic data through their eyes. Hand shape, placement, and hand movement, along with facial expressions and bodily movements, all convey […]

Disney Princess Communicating in American Sign Language Brings Joy to Deaf Child

Disney Princess Brings Joy to Deaf Child by Communicating in American Sign Language Communicating with another person in your own language has a special impact when you’re in an unfamiliar environment. This is especially true for members of the Deaf and Hard of hearing (Deaf/HoH) community. Many may feel isolated because it’s often challenging to […]

Megan Thee Stallion’s Sign Language Interpreter Inspires People to Learn ASL

Megan Thee Stallion’s Sign Language Interpreter Inspires People to Learn ASL Need another reason to learn ASL? Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s 2020 song “WAP” is an undeniable hit that has produced shock waves throughout the entertainment industry with its racy lyrics and visuals. In July 2021, an interpreter named Kelly Kurdi went viral […]

Does American Sign Language Have Accents?

American Sign Language has a rich history in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Before Europeans arrived in North America, indigenous peoples created sign languages to interact with their Deaf and Hard of hearing (Deaf/HoH) members. In contrast, American Sign Language (ASL) traces its ancestry back to the 19th century in France. And like any […]

Learn American Sign Language and Unleash Your Potential While Exploring Careers 

Learn American Sign Language and Unleash Your Potential If you’re planning to learn American Sign Language (ASL),  you’re part of a growing trend. The use of sign language is becoming increasingly common around the world. More and more people are employing the language as a communication tool or studying it as an academic subject. In […]

Stray Kids’ Hyunjin Giving a Shout-Out to ASL Interpreters Will Make You Want to Learn ASL

A great deal of time and energy goes into making the concert-going experience enjoyable and accessible for everyone. Recently, Hyunjin, the lead dancer and rapper for the South Korean boy band Stray Kids, thanked some of the people who make this possible – talented and dedicated ASL interpreters. While Inspiring More People to Learn ASL, Sign language Interpreters Make […]

Husband Refused to Translate and It Shows How Important it is to Learn ASL

  Learning a new language can be a fascinating and valuable activity for many people to undertake. And in today’s increasingly interrelated world, proficiency in more than one language is a critical skill that provides the chance to engage with others in a deeper and more meaningful way. This is true both for interactions in […]

How ‘Craig of the Creek’ Will Inspire Everyone, Even Kids, to Learn ASL Online

  A famous cartoon on the Cartoon Network recently highlighted the vital importance of Black American Sign Language in our society. It could also inspire many children and adults to learn ASL online. A Children’s Cartoon Series Enlarges the Scope of Its Stories to Become More Inclusive Craig of the Creek is an Emmy, GLAAD, and […]

Sailor’s Birthday Surprise for His Son Will Melt Your Heart and Inspire You to Learn ASL Online

  Here’s a story that will inspire you to learn ASL online — Carlos Lopez of Littleton, Colorado, USA, was about to miss his young son’s birthday for the second year. So, he felt he had to come up with an incredibly unique way to convey his well wishes to the boy on this special […]

Marvel Character Shang-chi Makes a Guest’s Day by Signing American Sign Language at Disneyland Resort

Marvel Character Shang-chi Makes a Guest’s Day by Signing American Sign Language at Disneyland Resort Disney Actor Amazes a Visitor by Signing with Her in American Sign Language. During Disneyland’s grand opening on July 17, 1955, founder Walt Disney proclaimed, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome!” Since Mr. Disney made his announcement, it’s […]

Bride’s Brother-in-law Uses American Sign Language at Her Wedding to Enhance Inclusivity

At times, the smallest act of kindness can have the most significant impact on the lives of others. This was certainly true in the case of Randy Latini, the officiant at his sister-in-law’s August 2022 wedding in Hamilton, New Jersey. Randy incorporated American Sign Language (ASL) into the marriage ceremony for the benefit of Deaf […]

Restaurant Servers Learn Sign Language and Sign ‘Happy Birthday’ to a Deaf Boy

Two waitresses at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant learn sign language and sign ‘Happy Birthday’ to a young Deaf Boy Here is a post that might inspire you to learn sign language from a whole new perspective. – Occasionally, people who work in jobs that serve the public go above and beyond the call of duty […]

Strictly Come Dancing Performance Prompts a Surge in Google Searches for “Learn Sign Language”

  Deaf UK TV actor Rose Ayling-Ellis, 2022 winner of the televised British dance contest Strictly Come Dancing, seems to have inspired many people to learn sign language. The actor’s Viennese waltz, performed with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, introduced Sign Language choreography to the highly successful BBC show. The dance was charged with emotion and […]

Top Reasons to Learn American Sign Language – Coldplay is Hiring Interpreters to Make Their Concerts More Accessible to All

Seeing one’s favorite musical artist perform live on stage or attending a live concert by a popular band is an event each person should be able to enjoy at least once in a lifetime. But this goal is not easy for everyone to achieve. Fortunately, recent technological advances are helping to broaden the scope of […]

Key Points to Remember about International Day of Sign Languages

International Day of Sign Languages 2022   Sign languages are visual forms of communication that convey information through the use of hand and facial gestures or symbols. The gestures or symbols used in sign language are organized in a linguistic way that includes grammar and word order (syntax). Each individual gesture is called a sign. […]

The Simpsons Makes History with Deaf Voice Actors and the Use of ASL

  Season 33, episode 17 of the long-running hit animated sitcom The Simpsons titled “The Sound of Bleeding Gums” is noteworthy for its use of American Sign Language (ASL) (although the characters have only four fingers), and for its casting of Deaf actor John Autry II to voice the Deaf character Monk.  Through this role, […]

Juliette Gordon Low: Founder of the Girl Scouts and A Deaf Champion Who Wouldn’t Hear “No”

Juliette Gordon Low: A Deaf Champion Who Wouldn’t Hear “No” Each year Girl Scouts all around the US celebrate October 31st as their movement’s Founder’s Day. The date was chosen to commemorate the birthday of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low. Blazing a trail for countless young girls to follow and living a life of […]

Troy Kotsur Appears on Sesame Street Teaching American Sign Language

Troy Kotsur Appears on Sesame Street Teaching American Sign Language  Academy Award-winning Deaf actor Troy Kotsur recently appeared in an episode of the timeless PBS children’s show ‘Sesame Street” teaching American Sign Language. Mr. Kotsur was on set to teach two of the Muppets and the show’s global audience the regularly featured “Word of the […]

BAFTA Winners’ Dance Routine Makes a Great Statement on Behalf of Sign Language

For their appearance on the UK television show Strictly Come Dancing, Deaf TV star Rose Ayling-Ellis and her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice won the Must-See Moment BAFTA, an award category that’s voted for by members of the viewing public. During their ballroom dance to the band Clean Bandit’s song “Symphony,” the music was switched […]

Hearing Toddler Interprets for Deaf Dad Using American Sign Language

Hearing Toddler Interprets for Deaf Dad Using American Sign Language From first learning how to walk to achieving success in potty training, young children inevitably amaze their parents when they reach milestones in their lives. And each family has its own particular milestones that they look forward to seeing their youngsters hit. For deaf father, […]

OSU Led the Way to Learn American Sign Language With its ASL Bachelor’s Degree

OSU Led the Way to Learn American Sign Language With its ASL Bachelor’s Degree If your desire was to learn American Sign Language (ASL) in the 1800’s fewer educational organizations could offer more value than Oklahoma State University. Founded on December 25, 1890 in Stillwater, OK under the name Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, Oklahoma […]

Meteorologist Gets Popular After Using American Sign Language in Her Forecasts

Meteorologist Gets Popular After Using American Sign Language in Her Forecasts Oklahoma meteorologist Mikayla Smith is making TV weather forecasting more accessible to a wider audience and in the process is rousing interest in meteorology for the next generation of forecasters. Mikayla initiated “Signing Science with Smith,” a program that makes use of American Sign […]

Understanding and Learning American Sign Language

Understanding and Learning American Sign Language What is American Sign Language? Learning American Sign Language is trending now more than ever before. Commonly referred to as ‘ASL,’ American sign language is a natural language that began via contact with English and has evolved through continued use since its 19th-century origin at the American School for […]

A Young Girl Decided to Learn Sign Language to Give a Tender Message to Her Deaf Delivery Man

A Young Girl Decided to Learn Sign Language to Give a Tender Message to Her Deaf Delivery Man Approximately 2% of people in the US are deaf or nearly deaf, and many others report having difficulties with hearing even if they are not totally deaf. According to World Federation of the Deaf statistics, the population […]

Help Your Baby Learn Sign Language

Learn Sign Language For Babies Learn sign language basics such as eat, sleep, more, play, milk, etc. These basic signs are called baby signs. Many people get confused between Baby Signs and American Sign Language; they are not considered the same thing. According to the Baby Sign article, “As a result, this encourages a number […]

Deaf Friends or Deaf Dating | Social ASL

In general, have you noticed it is hard to find the love of your life, or you just moved to a new area and are craving to make new friends? Especially if you just started learning American Sign Language and there are not a lot of Deaf people to find as a practice partner in […]

Top 10 & 25 American Sign Language Signs for Beginners – The Most Know Top 10 & 25 ASL Signs to Learn First

  Have you been wanting or thinking about learning a new language? You’ve come to right place! American Sign Language (ASL) is a beautiful visual language to learn and it is a form of communication that bridges the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities. There are many questions such as if ASL is hard […]

Learn Sign Language with Our Complete 3-Level Course

So you’re ready to learn sign language… And it couldn’t be easier to start! If you want to learn sign language, then you’ve come to the right place. The Start ASL team has created a complete 3-Level ASL course curriculum that will get you signing right away! No more scouring the internet only to learn […]

Hit of COVID – Communication Barriers For the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and How to Handle It

Ever since the pandemic hit in February 2019, people began masking up to protect themselves from catching and spreading the deadly virus. The mask and a few additional protections such as double masks, plastic face coverings, or plastic walls between the speaker and receiver have created huge communication barriers between the hearing and the Deaf […]