Ashley Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I randomly began learning BSL a few years ago and intended to do a course in it until I found out it was £200-odd. In my new course there is someone who is deaf and can't lip read too well as his mother tongue is Afrikaans so I want to try and improve myself and be able to communicate with him, even if its the basics (and we can use pens and paper for more complicated discussions like we did at the pub yesterday). Anyone know of any good (free!) resources or such. I found a few good videos on YouTube but they're quite limited and basics greetings and such. And of course, do any of y'all know sign language? If so what inspired you to learn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramar Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I done after school sign language classes when I was in year 5, I don't particularly know why I wanted to do it I just remember the opportunity arose. But then it clashed with football practice so I had to give it up, I can remember the basics and alphabet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supergrunch Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 There are no good free resources for BSL that I've found sadly, but there might be a few for the linguistically unrelated ASL. The best thing you can get for a starting point is the official BSL dictionary, which is only £30ish and very big, with additional sections on grammar and so on. Anyway, I know some BSL, mostly from the perspective of linguistics, and am interested in learning more - I intend to write a little on it in my thesis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flameboy Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 I don't BSL but I use Makaton with some of our students at work. Makaton is basically a form of sign language designed for use amongest people with learning difficulties etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Dare Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Interestingly, it would be literally impossible for me to learn sign language. I can't make complex enough shapes with my right hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayseven Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 AFAIK, dan, a lot of fluid speakers are able to express what they're saying mostly with one hand and the ever useful context Don't let it put you off, if you were ever intersted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Dare Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 ORLY!? well, tbh I've never met anyone profoundly deaf before so I'm not really anyway, but I was just musing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayseven Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 Oi. I'm well profound, me. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Dare Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 yeah but I don't want to talk to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted October 10, 2010 Author Share Posted October 10, 2010 You say that as if anyone ever wants to talk to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Dare Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 you're mean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbob Posted October 10, 2010 Share Posted October 10, 2010 I learned some Sign back when i was in Scouts, only enough to pass for a badge. Too bad that i forgot most of it now, and only seem to know how to say "Hello". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rummy Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Interesting topic, I got inspired for like a day to learn, but then never got round to it. Basically bumped into a kid from primary school(whose brother I later in life met through my brother, with no idea for years he was his brother) but yeah, this guy is like proper on the deaf side, he was with a friend of his, and we managed to converse to an extent, but it was of course difficult, what with me not knowing ANY sign language at all. Still though, managed some conversations and actually a bit of a giggle. I randomly bump into his sometimes too, and always feel bad that I can't communicate to him too well, though it's somewhat refreshing that I somehow manage to, but I think that's also because this guy is pretty good at lip-reading. Anyway yeah, long story short, I want to but have no idea where to start. I meant to try and teach myself the alphabet, so I could continue as I have done before, then just spell out the tricky words. It's obviously a long way to go about stuff, but better than nothing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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