Communication is a fundamental process in the human being. Through it we transmit our thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc. No matter what our personal background is, where we live, what our beliefs are, we all feel the need to express ourselves.
This is an irrefutable truth, even in the case of people who suffer from some type of mental or physical disability, such as deaf-mute people. Despite not being able to articulate words, they use their hands and body language to convey their thoughts and communicate what they want to say.
Of course, this can be a real challenge for those people who do not speak sign language, that is, the “language” they use to communicate.
It is true that many people with hearing disabilities have been deprived of secular education, either due to lack of resources, underestimation of their abilities, lack of interest or because there is no educational institution that can meet their special needs, and that makes. They do not master sign language. But, they always use “home” signs to communicate with their relatives and with the people around them.
Do you know someone who is deaf and dumb? Would you like to be able to communicate with him? Would you like to learn sign language? Although it is not considered a universal language, there are many similarities in the signs used in one country and another.
In addition, in this type of language, the most important thing is gestures, since through it you can express much more than with hundreds of articulated words.
But what should you do to learn sign language? Where to start? Is there a secret that facilitates the learning process? In this opportunity we will be giving answers to these and other questions. Therefore, pay close attention and do not miss any detail of this topic.
Instructions for learning sign language
The first thing that anyone who wants to be a sign language interpreter must learn is their alphabet, which is known as the manual or dactylological alphabet. This is nothing more than the manual representation of the alphabet, made in space. Its importance lies in the fact that it is the medium that is used when there is no sign for what is to be expressed, be it an object or a thought.
It is also used to provide personal data, such as the name, surname or room address, and when it is necessary to know the correct spelling of a certain word. In these cases, spelling is done in a comfortable position near the shoulder and chin area.
Other very useful signs are the days of the week, the months of the year, the numbers and the words that are related to greetings and courtesy rules such as: hello, good, please, thank you, permission and goodbye.
When learning sign language it is important to take into consideration some basic formative parameters:
- The configuration or shape that the hand acquires when making a signal or sign.
- The orientation of the hand. If the palm of the hand is facing up, facing down, when working in conjunction with the other hand, etc.
- The place of articulation of the word. This has to do with the place on the body where the sign is made. It can be on the mouth, forehead, chest, shoulders, chin, etc.
- Hand movements when signing. These can be rotating, straight, swinging, broken, etc.
- The point of contact of the dominant hand, right if you are right-handed, left if you are south-handed, with some other part of the body such as the palm of the hand, the forehead, the chest, the shoulder, among others.
- The plane, that is, the space where the sign is made, the distance from the body. The first shot, for example, comes into contact with the body, while the fourth shot is the furthest away. In this case, the arms are extended forward.
- The non-manual component. This is the information that is transmitted through the body itself and not through the signs as such. These are facial expressions, trunk and shoulder movements, etc.
For example, if you want to express an event that will take place in the future, you should lean slightly forward. Whereas, if you want to talk about the past, then the lean should be backwards.
Something that will help you learn sign language is to relate the signs with the words they represent. If you manage to make that mental association, then it will be much easier for you. On the other hand, if you want to express sadness, your face should be sad, if it is joy, it is important to smile. All this is necessary so you don’t feel sad or happy.
Keep in mind that sign languages are not simple mimicry, nor are they visual reproductions of some simplified version of an oral language. They have a complex, creative and productive grammar, just like any other natural language.
What do you need to learn sign language?
Sign language is the natural language of deaf people. It is considered a normal language, like any other, since it has and complies with all the laws of linguistics and it is learned when you are within the user community.
This language gives them the opportunity to solve all their communicative needs of the human being. It is expressed through signs made with the hands, as well as other movements, including body postures and facial expressions.
Currently, it is not known how many types of sign language exist, what is clear is that it develops wherever deaf people find it. We should not confuse this language with the so-called body language, since this is a type of non-verbal communication.
In this language, the manual-visual modality is used to convey the meaning of all words. Although it is true that it is mainly used by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it is also used by people who cannot speak due to physical problems, those who have language problems or by relatives of deaf people.
A person with a hearing disability is one who presents a limitation, loss or reduction of the faculties related to hearing, either temporarily or permanently. Taking this into account, we can find two classifications:
- The an-acoustic: it is the one that is considered as profoundly deaf. In other words, this person doesn’t hear anything at all. He is a visual being. What he knows of language, he has learned through vision. In order to understand his interlocutor, he pays attention to her body attitude, her expressions, and only some who have studied are able to read lips.
- Acoustic hiccups: this is the name given to the deaf who can hear a little, with or without a hearing aid. Since he has remnants of hearing, he is able to perceive noises such as when a chair falls or when someone screams.
Her CARACTERISTICS
This manual sign communication system is very similar to oral language, since it has its own vocabulary, as well as a grammar, syntax, and sentence structure.
There are an estimated 135 sign languages around the world. These are just the official ones. However, there are more than 6 thousand that are not considered official. The outstanding thing about this is that each one of them has its own vocabulary and different signs, which makes sign language a whole universe to explore.
However, despite this great variety that exists, they all have a certain similarity. This, thanks to the fact that they use the same grammatical structure to communicate. The action is always positioned last in sentences.
All languages, like sign languages, are acquired from the very birth. That is to say, the children of deaf parents acquire at birth both their mother tongue and the necessary signs to be able to communicate with their parents.
In the case of babies born deaf, at first, they will babble with small noises, until they learn to make signs and other movements to express themselves.
To master and understand it requires some preparation and a lot of practice. In addition, gestures that are synchronized with the rest of the body must be incorporated to convey the message correctly.
It is an illiterate language, this means that it does not have a certain writing. This is partly because most deaf people are able to read and write the spoken language of the country in which they live.
Although attempts have been made to develop a transcription system for sign languages. However, in this case, a great challenge is presented, since different opinions are presented when it comes to capturing all the characteristics that are used in sign language, especially in non-manual and positional elements. However, some depictions are presented in an iconic manner.
But how can we learn sign language? What should we consider? Are there some basic signs? Let’s see right now the answers to these questions.
Tips for learning sign language
The teaching of sign language is essential to achieve social inclusion. In the case of people with hearing disabilities, it constitutes a necessary pillar for daily interaction and for having access to information.
At present, knowledge of this communication system is so limited that deaf people must face various difficulties, many of which are related to carrying out daily activities, such as paying for services or moving on the streets without Let people know your language.
Hence the importance of creating a deaf culture and teaching sign language in the different educational centers, as well as imparting basic notions of language to public servants, which includes a glossary of terms related to the area where they operate.
The importance of sign language is also evident within the family nucleus, since, in many cases, ignorance makes communication between parents and children difficult and they find more problems than usual.
When talking to a deaf person, it is important to take into account some advice, for example, if the person has their back turned, touch them on the shoulder to get their attention, do not put your hands in front of their mouths, since many of them make an effort to read lips.
If you are indoors, make sure there is good lighting so the person can see you well. Keep in mind that not all deaf people use sign language. To determine if he knows him or not, you can say hello and if he signs back, then you can continue.
Also, remember to always speak in front of the person and keep your hands visible. That is, if you wear a long-sleeved shirt, pick them up a bit so that they are not an obstacle in communication.