As an Advocacy for the Deaf major, I have fallen in love with American Sign Language. Not only is it an amazing language, but it has an amazing culture and group of people that come along with it. Learning ASL changed my life for the better and I have had so many opportunities because of it. If you're anything like 90 percent of the people I meet, you probably want to learn ASL too. So what are you waiting for? Here's 10 reasons to learn right now.
1. You can use it right here at home.
While learning French or German may be all well and good, chances are you'll have to go abroad to actually put your skills to the test. However, ASL is the fourth most-used language in the United States. Therefore, you can use it anywhere, anytime!
2. It can save lives.
If you want to be a nurse, police officer, firefighter, EMS or any other kind of first responder, you should know at least some ASL. I have heard countless heartbreaking stories of deaf people who are unable to communicate in a crisis and end up having to face the consequences through no fault of their own. They have been given medications they're allergic to by nurses, misunderstood, arrested and shot by cops and unable to communicate in times of crisis. If these people, at least, knew enough ASL to communicate during a time where an interpreter can't be there fast enough, so many lives could be improved and even saved.
3. You can embrace a new culture.
Learning ASL is not just learning a language, it's embracing and immersing yourself into a rich culture. Deaf culture is so unique and something that all deaf people are proud of and, therefore, worth learning about.
4. You could make someone's day.
Deaf people have to go their entire day living in a hearing world. Something as simple for us as ordering food can be a major ordeal for them. By learning ASL and being able to sign when deaf customers come in, you could make their whole day by allowing them to communicate clearly and without any misunderstandings.
5. Sometimes a manual language is so much easier than a spoken language.
Go ahead talk in the movies, no one's going to hear you! Lost your voice? No problem you don't need it! ASL can be a great tool in so many situations you never know when it may come in handy (pun intended)!
6. We teach it to our babies.
Babies learn ASL for a reason. It's a great way to communicate using our hands and babies can sign before they can talk which results in less tantrums. So if our babies can learn it, then so can we.
7. You gain interpersonal skills.
The key to sign language is being able to read people. Eye gaze, body language, mouth movement and eyebrow movement are critical in determining the meaning of a sign and the tone that comes with it. These are all skills that are useful in other contexts.
8. You'll never lose at charades again.
And I'm not saying to cheat by signing the word! Because so much of ASL is body movement and depicting different things with your face and hands, charades becomes almost second nature. And since ASL is a visual language, many of the signs are based on what things look like, which is the first thing people try to show when playing charades.
9. Everyone will be jealous of you.
ASL is a fascinating language because unlike other languages we see it. That makes people instantly jealous when you can use your hands to converse with a whole group of people who live in your town or city.
10. You will get to experience a beautiful language.
One of my favorite things in the world is seeing people sign ASL poetry because of just how beautiful it is to watch. Even in everyday conversations it is refreshing to see something that is so conceptual, yet beautiful at the same time.
So what are you waiting for? Get started now by checking out some ASL resources for beginners. Happy signing!
Signing Savvy, an online ASL dictionary
9 Apps and Resources to learn ASL
ASL Pro, free dictionary, quizzes and lessons all on one site!
