Learning Tips Articles

Conceptually Correct Signs

Conceptually Correct Signs

By John Miller
Friday, November 13, 2009

Consider the following sentences: I won’t stand for this! You need to stand up please. This flag stands for freedom. In each of these statements the word STAND is used. It is spelled the exact same way, pronounced the exact same way, yet it has VERY different meanings in each of it’s uses above. Now one form of sign language, Signing Exact English, would tell you to sign the word STAND the same in all three sentences because of their 2 out of 3 ...
Does it matter what hand you use?

Does it matter what hand you use?

By John Miller
Thursday, September 10, 2009

When signing, it does not matter if you sign as left-hand or right-hand dominant. The biggest thing to remember is to pick which hand you want to use as the dominant hand and stick with it. You should not switch back and forth between dominant hands. Most signers will be able to understand your signs no matter which hand you use as the dominant hand. I am actually left-handed but choose to use my right hand as the more dominant hand ...
Signing People's Names in American Sign Language

Signing People's Names in American Sign Language

By John Miller
Saturday, March 28, 2009

Signs for common names? My name is John, which, as you may guess, is a pretty common name. The benefit of having a common name growing up is that whenever I went into a gift shop that had items with names on them, such as cups, buttons, belts, or what-have-you, I could always find one with my name on it. In sign langage, unlike the items in the gift shop, there is no sign for John. That is, there is no ...
The many facets of sign language

The many facets of sign language

By John Miller
Wednesday, February 25, 2009

What is the difference between American Sign Language and other sign languages? Sign language has many different facets to it. American Sign Language (ASL) is the language created and used by the Deaf in the United States, Canada, parts of Mexico, and some other parts of the world. ASL has a limited amount of signs, but it is the purest language from the Deaf perspective. If you are using strict ASL and interpreting English, you often fingerspell words for ...