Week 3 2/23

So far, I have done a lot of research on how sign language varies in its different forms and the reasons why it works. It is actually way more complicated than I expected it to be. It’s a lot deeper than just hand signals. You also have to incorporate facial expressions, body language, and the space around yourself. I found videos online to help teach it to myself. I’ve been watching them. SO far I can do the alphabet with my hands and a few other basic words but otherwise I don’t know much. I still need to learn how to form sentences and use the grammar rules. I understand that learning an entire language in one semester is a near impossible feat. However, I don’t want to learn the whole language, well I do, but I’m hoping that by the end of the semester I can carry on a basic conversation in sign language. 

Week 2 2/17

How many people actually rely on sign language to communicate?

What are the most effective ways to teach yourself a language?

How many different versions of sign language are there?

Besides deaf people who else relies on sign language to communicate?

How was it developed in the first place?

Week 1 2/2

I struggled a lot with picking a project that both meant something to me and was manageable in the allotted time. I knew that I wanted to do something that didn’t only benefit me. I went through about thirty possible projects before I found one I was really interested in. I have since decided that I want to teach myself American Sign Language. Through working at Hy-Vee and volunteering at the police department, I come in contact with a lot of people who rely on sign language to communicate effectively. I want to be able to communicate with these people in a way that is more comfortable to them. When you have a psychical disability like that it is easy to feel discluded or disconnected from the people around you. I think that this is something that I can do to make a few people smile. I can’t think of a better way to spend 20% of my time.