I have a couple questions about the 'general ASL question'.
1. Who are the students - ages, language backgrounds?
2. Are you teaching in a second language setting, or are you working
with children acquiring their first language?
3. Are you a parent teaching some signs to your children?
I have to admit, I am more than concerned when I hear that people who do
not know ASL are teaching ASL. I have made the assumption the person who
is teaching ASL vocabulary doesn't know ASL because that person indicated
a clear lack of knowledge for the fact that ASL can have more than one
sign for indicating the same thing. Someone mentioned there might be
regional variations, but this is hardly the most common explanation for
the variations.
An example of different ways to express the same thing in English would be
the different words we use to represent the concept of "the thing wrapped
in colourful paper and tied with a bow". I can think of at least two
English words I might chose from, and there are probably more.
An example of different ways to express the same thing in ASL would be the
different signs we use to represent the concept of "having a
conversation". I can think of at least 4 signs I might chose from, and
there are probably more.
And, out of curiosity, what are the two signs for DOCTOR?
Barbara
Barbara O'Dea Voice: 871-7443
Sign Language Studies Department TTY: 871-7444
Vancouver Community College FAX: 871-7442
email:
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