Too bad my camera is not working

Want a good laugh? Explain to a child the concept of non-manual markers. Specifically, You need to raise your eyebrows when you ask a yes - or - no question. You also need to lower your eyebrows when you ask a "Wh" question. Then ask the child to ask (sign) you a question and use the correct expression. Have the child perform this for friends and family! If you need help with some questions, try ASL University or one of the dictionary links. Let me know how it goes!

postcard

Here is a fingerspelling postcard you can print on heavy paper and mail. I'm not familiar with the last two signs, maybe someone can let me know where they originated and if they are widely used.

I HEAR U

Cute site put together to help you, or your kids learn the fingerspelling alphabet and numbers.Be sure and check out the digital clock (get it? digital? Yea, I know that was bad.)

Thanks Tom!

Three year old saves Mom useing Sign Language! Wonderful Story. Now does everyone know the sign for "Help"?

Hello again!

On the sidebar you will see an Amazon.com add for "The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary" I really like this dictionary because it is a useful tool for learning ASL signs one hand shape at a time. Even better it solves the problem of seeing a sign you don't know, but having no way to look it up! Our ASL class at the library is looking into getting some, possibly through a fundraiser. If you are interested in donating a copy or funds towards a copy please let me know!

Fingerspelling practice

This page is from the John A. Logan College Interpreter preparation program. It contains 9 pages of words that include all the letter patterns in the english language. If you click the link "View Flash Movie" is has some good fingerspelling advice as well.

ASL PAH

Here you can subscribe to a great email newsletter put together by Bill Vicars. He is the guy from the ASL University. He has a wonderful teaching style. If you are not interested in recieving the group email you are able to look through past issues here. I would recomend signing up, there is one issue though, it seems that if you click "subscribe" on the site it takes you to the "unsubscribe" link. So if you want to subscribe just send a blank email to this address: aslpah-subscribe@topica.com

Fingerspelling Ain't Easy

I couldn't agree more. I enjoyed this article. It is about teaching young deaf children to fingerspell early. It is a good encouragement for all of us who would like to wear a name tag for the rest of our lives and invent a sign for everything! Along with this document there are many links to others you may find of interest here.

Exploring Tenses in ASL

This is a detailed paper explaining proper use of tense. The writer shows why this is extremely important.

ASL glossary

This is a site that will tell you which online dictionary has the sign you're looking for. It doesn't include all the online dictionaries, but it should save some time.

Deaf Newspaper

Thank you Angie, for sharing this link with me. Its another one I haven't seen before. It includes Deaf news, classifieds, links and more.

My guestbook

Ok everyone here is your chance to let me know who you are and what you're doin' here! Yes, You! You may click here or at the bottom of the page on the pen. Thank you! -Michelle

Gallaudet University

Located in Washington DC, Gallaudet is the world's only university in which ALL classes and programs are designed to accommodate the deaf and hard of hearing. Their web site includes a history of the university and its founders.

Martha's Vineyard

Deaf culture education should include a bit of history about Martha's Vineyard. At one time most everyone there used sign language. This page gives a short version.

What is it like to "hear" a hand? You have to be deaf to understand.

Written in 1971 by William J. Madsen, a professor of journalism at Gallaudet University. His poem was translated into 7 different languages.


What is it like to "hear" a hand?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be a small child,
In a school, in a room void of sound--
With a teacher who talks and talks and talks;
And then when she does come around to you,
She expects you to know what she's said?
You have to be deaf to understand.

Or the teacher thinks that to make you smart,
You must first learn how to talk with your voice;
So mumbo-jumbo with hands on your face
For hours and hours without patience or end,
Until out comes a faint resembling sound?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be curious,
To thirst for knowledge you can call your own,
With an inner desire that's set on fire --
And you ask a brother, a sister, or friend
Who looks in answer and says, "Never Mind"?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What it is like in a corner to stand,
Though there's nothing you've done really wrong,
Other than try to make use of your hands
To a silent peer to communicate
A thought that comes to your mind all at once?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be shouted at
When one thinks that will help you hear;
Or misunderstand the words of a friend
Who is trying to make a joke clear,
And you don't get the point because he's failed?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to have to depend
Upon one who can hear to phone a friend;
Or place a call to a business firm
And be forced to share what's personal, and,
Then find that your message wasn't made clear?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to be deaf and alone
In the company of those who can hear --
And you only guess as you go along,
For no one's there with a helping hand,
As you try to keep up with words and song?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like on the road of life
To meet with a stranger who opens his mouth --
And speaks out a line at a rapid pace;
And you can't understand the look on his face
Because it is new and you're lost in the race?
You have to be deaf to understand.

What is it like to comprehend
Some nimble fingers that paint the scene,
And make you smile and feel serene,
With the "spoken word" of the moving hand
That makes you part of the world at large?
You have to be deaf to understand.

Interpreter Competency evaluation

Well, I've scoured the web and I'm having a tough time finding anything which I have yet to cover! Not to worry, it would take a very long time to put to use all the pages I've already posted,(The ASL University is one I am really enjoying ) and of course the internet never stops growing. Please use the comment button below this post if you know of any sites I've missed that you feel would be helpful to add. I'm certain there are some hiding.
The link in the title of this post might be of use to those who are fluent or nearly so, and would like to assess themselves to see if there are any areas they might address.

Jess and Sandra 

That's me--  

Indigenous Signs for Cities

Neat, Just what the title says. cities from many countries.

ASL University

Can't leave this site out. There is a lot to learn here. Both wonderful and free. Includes step by step lessons to learn ASL. I like the testing pages and with a little adaptation you could print them and use them. I also enjoyed the fingerspelling practice pages (50 pages!!)