Free ways to practice sign language online

Free ways to practice sign language online(wired.com)

43 points by valprop1 4 years ago | 6 comments

freeCandy 4 years ago |

Deaf person here. Those resources are great to learn from. However they lack the interpersonal aspects. It is similar to using Duolingo, you learn it from the app but it does not do enough to help you to retain the language. Our syntax, language, grammar are structured differently than what you are used to with your spoken languages.

If you want to be effective signing user[0], you are encouraged to interact with our community. You get a better exposure of our language through social activities and it will help you to retain your memory of our language.

Another resource I recommend is taking sign language classes in community colleges, they are cheap to attend and satisfied your foreign language requirements (if you are undergraduate). You get interactivity from your classmate and teacher, so you get a better benefits to retain our language than relying on those app alone.

Don't be scared of learning sign languages, they can be overwhelming. But it will worth it in the end. One advantage of sign languages my hearing[1] friend told me about that they can eat and sign at the same time without speaking, they don't have to worry about spitting out the foods while they are speaking.

[0] Someone who regularly uses sign languages

[1] Jargon term for a person do not have deafness.

dmi 4 years ago |

Is anyone aware of similar resources for learning BSL (British Sign Language)?

I've done a couple of in-person courses, but I'd really like to learn more vocabulary at my own pace. So far I haven't found much other than a couple of dictionaries (e.g. https://www.signbsl.com/ and https://bslsignbank.ucl.ac.uk/dictionary/), but it's not been hugely helpful in learning which signs are common in my region. I also find that just looking up examples of signs I don't know never really helps me learn.

abstractbeliefs 4 years ago | |

There's a bunch of signed (and dedicated sign language) programming on FreeView, but usually late at night. It's worth looking them up on iPlayer/4oD etc and watching them if you're not around at the right times.

They're obviously pitched at the level of fluent signers who use these as their primary way to use the TV, but I do find that between the audio, subs and thematic information, a lot can be picked up from the signer. English-with-subs is known to work well for foreigners learning English, and I expect English-and-signed might be good for BSL.

Where about are you based? I joined the bsl soc at uni and later did a level 1 course, so my level is rudimentary, but if you're in the west mids it might be good to practice.

dmi 4 years ago | | |

Ah yes, I forgot they do that. That's a really helpful idea, thanks!

I'm based in Herts/London, so a bit out of the way for a casual meet :-)

haxiomic 4 years ago |

I’ve recently learned ASL through VR, where there’s a wonderfully big community! There’s regular classes, as well as automated learning spaces (watching a virtual character sign) and worlds full of other sign users keen to talk and help you learn. I don’t think I’ve ever learned a language so frictionlessly before. If you want to try this, it’s possible on Quest, but you’ll have an easier time with index controllers for the higher fidelity finger tracking

Video https://youtu.be/QRiS2CQUpUg