One of my biggest regrets is not being interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL) when I was younger. My mother, a teacher of the deaf, would try to spark my desire to learn the rich, visual language that is considered the backbone of deaf culture. However, beyond mastering the manual alphabet and a couple of random words — such as shoe, banana, mom and dad — an interest in learning how to communicate fluently using the language never peaked my interest.
ASL is easily one of the most useful forms of communication, not only using hand movements, but also facial expressions and body movements. Executed fluently, the language is poetry in motion. ASL is the perfect universal language and would benefit all learners. For that reason, I wish that learning ASL was mandatory starting at an early age and continued throughout all levels of education in our country. I know that if I had mastered the language at an early age, the process would have been much easier. Additionally, when placed in an environment with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, knowing ASL would tremendously improve my ability to directly express a thought without the large communication barrier.
I was reminded of how difficult the barrier between a signing and non-signing person can be when a former student of my mother's recently visited with his children. He and his three children, all deaf, communicate effortlessly with one another, but I had to rely on my mother to interpret the conversation when they would all start signing to each other.
Given that the ages of the children range from around 8 to 11 years old, communicating with them was not entirely impossible. I could express happiness and laughter through facial expressions and make clear gestures while playing with them and they understood me. However, I recognize that there will certainly be challenges the older they get and they will have to communicate in more complex ways with those who do not know sign language.
We all only stand to gain from learning ASL. One of the first lessons that we are taught when entering school at a young age is to be social by communicating with our peers and teachers when we have a question or need help. Given that trends in education often force deaf children to learn in an environment where the majority of people; teachers and peers alike, do not sign, it seems reasonable to mandate American Sign Language as our national language, ensuring that the opportunity to communicate is available for all children without difficulty or fear of marginalization.
