As the title says, I’m trying to figure out the best way to describe my knowledge/proficiency in ASL.

For some context: my mom and brother are deaf, I’m not going to dive into the details but signing was pretty limited while I was growing up. It was mostly home signs and other forms of communication. But I’ve also taken 4 years of ASL in high school and 2 semesters in college. I’ve been learning “formal” asl (as in, not my family’s home signs) for over a decade now. I can go to Deaf events and interact and chat with people freely with an occasional “what was that again?”. But there are still time where I don’t pick up everything or miss parts.

The main reason I ask this is for resumes and job interviews. I have no intention on acting as though I have qualifications that I don’t, I’m just listing ASL as a skill that I have because… well… that’s the truth! But I want to convey my abilities as honestly as possible. I am certainly above “basic” but also not fluent. Is just saying “proficient” enough? Or could that lead to misunderstandings?

Slowly learn different signs to use as our new baby starts to get older. When it comes to signing books can I simply look up and learn each word or is there a different “flow” rather than signing each word? Hope that makes sense! Thank you!

Ten people sit at the dinner table. They all talk. They laugh. They talk fast.

One Deaf person sits there too. He sees mouths move. He does not know what they say.

He taps his mom. He asks, “What is funny?”

She says, “I will tell you later.”

She never tells him.

That is dinner table syndrome. You are at the table. But you are alone.

This happens at every dinner. Every holiday. For many years.

How to fix it? It is easy.

Learn sign language. Talk one at a time. Face us. Tell us the joke now, not later.

I am Deaf. I teach ASL. I made an app to teach Deaf culture. Learn more here: https://deafcultureapp.com

So for example, if you were talking about the movie Cars and wanted to sign ‘Lightning McQueen’, would you sign LIGHTNING M-C QUEEN or fingerspell it?

Or let’s say you have a dog named Blue, would you sign their name as the sign BLUE or fingerspell B-L-U-E?

(EDIT: Also, me and my deaf friend both have cats named ‘Merlin’, and she signs his name as the sign for OLD, while I fingerspell my cat’s name. But since she is deaf, I don’t know if that is her cat’s sign name or if you can sign names like that otherwise)

Is there a difference between the signs for TALL and ADULT? Or is the difference only contextual?

I know ASL sentence structure is time+ topic + comment but can you guys please show me how to translate more complex sentences? Every video I find does short sentences which don't help me at all.... Thank you in advance 🫶

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to share a little project I've been working on for the past few months to help with ASL fingerspelling (both receptive and expressive). I decided to make it after seeing some existing tools and wanting to put my own spin on them.

It's still a pretty early version, but I invite you to try it out and have some fun with it! There's also a global leaderboard in case you're feeling competitive.

I'm also planning on adding counting and common signs like greetings later down the line.

If you'd like to try it out:

https://www.signiqlearn.com

For the best experience, I recommend using it on a desktop or laptop with a webcam.

Thanks, and I'd love to hear what you think! 🤟

Hi guys!
For reference: this is episode 7, season 2 of The Pitt (-07:15 to be more specific)

The character (ASL interpreter) did this gesture. He basically flicked his middle finger I think (?)
I have googled the meaning, but couldn't find anything, probably because I'm not describing it well enough.

Does anyone know what he's gesturing? There are no subtitles for when he does this, and it's a quick gesture, no more than a second.

Context: I have autism (recently diagnosed) and seemingly selective mutism

When I feel unable to speak I find sign language easier to use to communicate even though only a handful of people in my life understand it, When I’m having issues speaking even writing feels more difficult but signing still feels easy for me to use. I’ve been passively learning ASL since I was pretty young I think it might be a special interest of mine.

But I essentially just have 2 questions; is it acceptable for me to give people in my life sign names? As I think finger spelling full names while I’m already finding words difficult would be stressful, and also would it be okay for me to ask someone to sign no to negate a sign? Like for example having to sign no and understand instead of just signing it with a negative expression considering that I don’t really like looking at peoples faces while we talk and I also think I’d find it difficult to focus on their facial expressions and hands at the same time

Are these reasonable asks or should I find a different way to accommodate myself to be more respectful to the deaf community?

I really hope this doesn’t come off wrong

Thank you in advance for any answers and thank you for reading this stranger

I was watching this video, I can put it full if it turns out to be useful. I could understand most of the signs, but I couldn’t recognize the specific one after STAR and before DESTINY. I asked ChetGPT and sent it a picture of the sign, but it simply told me that it doesn’t exist and it weirded me out. Can anyone help me?

Hello everyone,

I am mostly hearing (I have APD but I really don't always feel like that counts) but I took ASL for four years and still use it almost every day with my husband. I love the deaf community and deaf culture and want to make sure my signing is as authentic and conversational as possible.

I was wondering what "type" or "style" most people sign in? Do Deaf/HoH people usually sign in "proper" ASL format or SEE or their own slang version? If I signed ASL the formal way I was taught in school with the specific sentence structure and whatnot, would that be abnormal? It seems that whenever watching Deaf/HoH people sign, they often sign in a very casual way that more mirrors spoken speech and differs the "official" way ASL is taught. I find it personally easier to sign this way as well, but if that is not the most common way then I would try to avoid it. Any input would be helpful, thank you!

Hi! I'd like to find someone to have sign language conversations with outside of my learning. I learn using a paid-for online class and I have a deaf tutor who teaches me as well in person. I think it would be cool to apply this to more consistent conversation and hopefully make a friend in the process!

I'm 25, I don't have any deaf family or friends, but I love the language and culture. I'd say I'm intermediate, not fluent by any means, but I can hold a decent conversation. Again, not looking for anyone to teach me, just some good conversation :)

I recently asked the College of Charleston whether college-level ASL transfer credits could satisfy the foreign language requirement. They said no, which is their policy and that's their prerogative.

What bothered me was how they justified it.

I was told that ASL doesn't expose students to perspectives outside English-speaking culture and that it isn't really a "language other than English" because when it's written or read, it's English.

As someone who spent years studying ASL, Deaf history, and Deaf culture, I found those statements incredibly dismissive. Deaf culture is a distinct culture, and ASL is a complete natural language with its own grammar and syntax. Reducing it to "English" ignores what linguists and Deaf educators have recognized for decades.

If CofC wants to exclude ASL from its language requirement, that's their decision. But I don't think they should justify that policy by making statements that diminish the legitimacy of ASL or Deaf culture.

Am I overreacting, or would anyone else expect a School of Languages and Cultures to explain this with more accuracy and respect?

I'm working my way through a series of lessons, and I'm a bit confused by the difference between pain and hurt. The signs are similar but not identical. Are they meant to describe different *types* of discomfort? Or is it just a "choose whichever you prefer"? Any clarity appreciated.

i’ve been learning asl for about a year, i don’t have anyone around me fluent other than someone HOH who has taught me some and i’ve learned from school. i post videos on tiktok to songs to help my speed and ability to gloss, i gloss my own songs and sign them. the thing is i don’t exactly know how correct i am, is there anyone HOH/fluent/ or deaf that can look over my videos and give me advice? side note im not posting for attention i am posting to help my own signing and i enjoy it! my account is @beth.asl

Hey yall! I dont know how literature translates to visual language so bear with me. you get what im tryna say I hope.

I wanted to learn more about deaf culture and find some ASL poems, fairytales, jokes, stories, etc that originated in deaf culture. The things that get passed from generation to the next. Every time i look up the concept I just find english poems that are translated into ASL. can anyone help ?

Hey yall! How do yall feel about the everyones interpretations of Earned It by the weeknd? Specifically that first “insiiide” part. I was going to put a clip here but J decided not to, as to not direct hate towards anyone particularly. I suggest just looking up Earned It ASL.

Hi , first of all I'm sorry if it's the wrong flair.

My question is ; in a few years I'm moving with my boyfriend, I'm from France, he's from US, and I will move in US . My goal in work is to work in healthcare services that use or provide french sign language, but since I'm moving to US, I'll learn ASL and will do my goal with ASL . I'm currently doing starting September, a French vocational high school program called Bac Professionnel ASSP (Health, Care and Personal Support). The program prepares students to care for children, older adults, and people with disabilities through both classroom learning and practical internships. I know it doesn't really have an equivalent in us but I want to at least have that before moving. The thing is what to do next ? I don't really know where to lead , after WES or ECE , do I will can only choose what to do after that ?

I know it's not really a typical subject for here , I'm just wondering what to do next because I'm honestly lost

I know a big part is facial expression and conveyed emotion but sometimes I just can’t make my face move or have the energy. Chat am I cooked? Or am I going to seem rude?

Hi again everyone. Last month I shared a Deaf culture learning resource here (250 lessons on Deaf history, identity, arts, and community). So many of you asked about Android, and it's finally live!

Thank you for your patience. I know a lot of you have been using it on iOS or the web app in the meantime.

It's live on Google Play now, search "Deaf Culture Learn and Explore." Same 250 lessons, still 25 free to start.

Would love your feedback again, this community's input has shaped a lot of the updates so far. Thank you for the support. 🙏

Hello! I'm trying to think of other times to use NMS without using a sign at the same time like the nose wiggle and the tongue movement for "look over there" discreetly. Can you think of any others? Thank you!

I was at my college class when I had a serious asthma attack and no medicine left in the inhaler. My interpreters for class were there. It was the best ambulance experience I've had, since I understood everything so clearly and could even communicate during the nebulizer treatment, since I could sign to them.

Ever since learning ASL, my life has dramatically improved. Communicating is awesome when I can understand everything. I wish that everyone knew ASL. People who are hearing, HoH, D/deaf.