https://i.imgsafe.org/7baf6ad876.jpg

Since being young I have always loved watching deaf people communicate with each other, its fascinating how they express themselves and how quick there hands go once there in deep conversation. I have always wanted to understand more but never had the nerve to go do it, then a could of years ago I luckily got the chance to enrol in a course that was being held at the community centre next to my  daughters school. I had to push myself to go for it as I hate  standing out, people watching me makes me clam up so this was going to be very hard.

I joined a 15 week course with 2 sessions a week, It took a lot for me to make the move for the first session but once I was there I soon fitted in, still stomach turning if I had to do something with the others watching, thankfully that wouldn't happen for a few weeks yet. 

The first few weeks was spent learning the alphabet, once you get started on this its pretty easy to pick up, thinking  this is easier than I  thought, Haha  was I wrong. 

https://i.imgsafe.org/7baf8d7ad2.png


Talking English is completely  different meaning words we say in English don't exist in BSL we have a lot of linking  words such as and, it, yet, etc For instance  we would say to someone, (*) Hi what is your name (*) Saying that in sign language you would sign (*) HI, name you what (*). 


(https://youtu.be/-2O_ymoCIR0)

If your really interested in learning Sign language I would advise you to take a course then to help  join your local deaf club, I joined mine, I used to go once a week for a few hours, the 1st time was the hardest as was new to it and very unsure but if you go with other members of the class  and possibly the teacher then its a lot easier to get involved. I found being amongst the deaf crowd definitely helped my sign language and really helps with you communicating, at first you constantly use the sign (*) sorry again (*) so they repeat what they are saying you do pick up a lot more than being in class.

https://i.imgsafe.org/7baf9c4d3e.gif

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Sign Language isn't all about the hand signs you have to use a lot of facial expressions to let the person know how bad or good it is, If your wanting to say to someone your in pain your face will show how much pain you are in. 

https://i.imgsafe.org/7bd049984a.jpg

Sign language is different depending where you come from, the same as accents there are slight differences in how they sign. 

I have a deaf neighbour who I have know for around 20 years, all I could do before was say hi now I can have a conversation with him. Its opened my world up and my eyes plus I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the deaf club, I even took all my family who joined in, They all know how to sign there name, the alphabet plus a few basic sayings that get them by when they meet a deaf person. 

Open your world up and give it a go.