Welcome to the first unit of study. As with each subsequent unit, we will be spending approximately two to three weeks on this unit.
What to do?
Just like most language courses, we will start with learning the alphabet and numbers 1-10. As this means learning more than 30 signs (if you don't already know the alphabet), it's not necessary to learn them all at once. Learning them will be a gradual process. You should definitely be able to spell your own name first, then add more letters as we go. Here is a link to the alphabet on YouTube. It has an ad for the first 5 seconds.
Additionally, you will also see a file labeled Handout #1 below. It describes what ASL is, the difference between ASL and English signing, the history of ASL, and Deaf culture. Please read this information and be familiar with it.
Also, for fun, you can check out the Deaf Bible. This project started a LONG time ago (you can tell by the clothes and hairstyles) to present the Bible in ASL. There is an app available for android and iPhone. This rendition of the Bible is an interpretation into ASL, NOT a translation. In the syllabus, I mentioned the difference between "church signing" and ASL. This Bible is a PERFECT picture of that. When you pick your favorite verse, you will see that it is signed using ASL structure and many classifiers (both of which we will cover as we go through the course). Have a look around! BUT, don't be intimidated. This is presented in pure ASL. This is not a requirement.
Assignments for this unit:
* Read the information in handout #1 and the information in "Church Signing vs. ASL interpreting." (files at the bottom of the page)
* Review the Unit One vocabulary. See the embedded YouTube video below.
* Study the alphabet and numbers.
* When you have completed the assignments above and feel pretty good about what you have learned, you can click on the embedded YouTube video (ASL lesson 01) toward the bottom of the page. This is a discussion between Dr. Bill Viccars and one of his ASL I students. It will load with the closed caption on; I recommend turning it off and trying without it. Even if you don't understand everything, the words on the screen behind them will help you out.
* Please make a short video of yourself signing the vocabulary words for Unit One, so I can make sure your production is correct. You can do this by:
- email me the video
- if you have gmail, you can upload it to your google Drive and send me an invite
- if you have Dropbox, you can upload the video (along with your other class materials if you would like to keep everything in one place) and share the access to that folder
- or, if you have your own YouTube channel and you're familiar with sending private YouTube video links
Vocabulary for Unit One:
Please see the video posted below the list for the signs. I use Dr. Bill Viccar's curriculum, and his site is a great resource, but there are some signs that are used in Arkansas and other areas of the south that are a little different. That is why I will post my own vocabulary video for each unit. As with all languages, you will find regional differences, and for that reason we will learn the 'standard' sign (recognized anywhere) and the regional signs where available. It's not enough to be overwhelming, so no worries. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on the Facebook group.
AGAIN
DEAF
HEARING
LEARN
LIKE
MEANING
MEET
NAME
NICE
NO
SIGN
SLOW
STUDENT
TEACHER
THANK-YOU
UNDERSTAND
WHAT
WHERE
WHO
WHY
YES
FILES
handout1.docx
Download File
church_signing_vs_asl_interpreting.docx
Download File
What to do?
Just like most language courses, we will start with learning the alphabet and numbers 1-10. As this means learning more than 30 signs (if you don't already know the alphabet), it's not necessary to learn them all at once. Learning them will be a gradual process. You should definitely be able to spell your own name first, then add more letters as we go. Here is a link to the alphabet on YouTube. It has an ad for the first 5 seconds.
Additionally, you will also see a file labeled Handout #1 below. It describes what ASL is, the difference between ASL and English signing, the history of ASL, and Deaf culture. Please read this information and be familiar with it.
Also, for fun, you can check out the Deaf Bible. This project started a LONG time ago (you can tell by the clothes and hairstyles) to present the Bible in ASL. There is an app available for android and iPhone. This rendition of the Bible is an interpretation into ASL, NOT a translation. In the syllabus, I mentioned the difference between "church signing" and ASL. This Bible is a PERFECT picture of that. When you pick your favorite verse, you will see that it is signed using ASL structure and many classifiers (both of which we will cover as we go through the course). Have a look around! BUT, don't be intimidated. This is presented in pure ASL. This is not a requirement.
Assignments for this unit:
* Read the information in handout #1 and the information in "Church Signing vs. ASL interpreting." (files at the bottom of the page)
* Review the Unit One vocabulary. See the embedded YouTube video below.
* Study the alphabet and numbers.
* When you have completed the assignments above and feel pretty good about what you have learned, you can click on the embedded YouTube video (ASL lesson 01) toward the bottom of the page. This is a discussion between Dr. Bill Viccars and one of his ASL I students. It will load with the closed caption on; I recommend turning it off and trying without it. Even if you don't understand everything, the words on the screen behind them will help you out.
* Please make a short video of yourself signing the vocabulary words for Unit One, so I can make sure your production is correct. You can do this by:
- email me the video
- if you have gmail, you can upload it to your google Drive and send me an invite
- if you have Dropbox, you can upload the video (along with your other class materials if you would like to keep everything in one place) and share the access to that folder
- or, if you have your own YouTube channel and you're familiar with sending private YouTube video links
Vocabulary for Unit One:
Please see the video posted below the list for the signs. I use Dr. Bill Viccar's curriculum, and his site is a great resource, but there are some signs that are used in Arkansas and other areas of the south that are a little different. That is why I will post my own vocabulary video for each unit. As with all languages, you will find regional differences, and for that reason we will learn the 'standard' sign (recognized anywhere) and the regional signs where available. It's not enough to be overwhelming, so no worries. If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected] or send me a message on the Facebook group.
AGAIN
DEAF
HEARING
LEARN
LIKE
MEANING
MEET
NAME
NICE
NO
SIGN
SLOW
STUDENT
TEACHER
THANK-YOU
UNDERSTAND
WHAT
WHERE
WHO
WHY
YES
FILES
handout1.docx
Download File
church_signing_vs_asl_interpreting.docx
Download File