Sign Language

•are languages that use the visual-

manual modality to convey
meaning, instead of spoken
words.
•Like spoken languages, there are
different signed languages around
the world. In other words, sign
language is not a universal
language.
Before you begin learning the language, it is
best to be acquainted with Deaf culture.

• Terms that should never be used to refer to a

Deaf individual:
• "Deaf and dumb"
• "Mute"
• "Hearing Impaired"
• "Disabled"
Deaf etiquette dos and don’ts

• As you become more confident in your

ability to communicate through ASL and
begin to meet Deaf acquaintances and
form friendships, keep some simple
etiquette dos and don’ts in mind.
Dos:
• To get a Deaf person’s attention, tap them on the shoulder or flick the light switch.

• Let a Deaf person know that you can hear and that you’re learning ASL.

• If you’re at a Deaf social function, allow the Deaf friend you came with to introduce
you to others.

• Introduce yourself using your first and last name.

• Converse about sports, the weather, politics, pop culture, or whatever else you’d
discuss with your hearing friends.
Don’ts:
• Don’t barge into a Deaf person’s house because you think they can’t hear the
doorbell.

• Avoid ordering for a Deaf person in a restaurant, unless they ask you to do so.

• Never try to correct a Deaf person’s signing or lecture them that they don’t
sign the way your instructor does.

• Don’t initiate a conversation about a Deaf person’s hearing loss. Asking such
questions implies that you think of the person as broken or inferior.
Deaf pride is the idea of embracing
Deaf culture and language.
In the Deaf community:

There is a difference between "Deaf" (aka.

"Big D": accepting an identity) and "deaf"
(aka. "Little D": a medical term)
• Signs or words in American Sign Language (ASL)
can be categorized into three types:

• one-handed,
• two-handed symmetrical, and
• two-handed non-symmetrical.
• If you are a right-handed signer, your right hand is the
active/dominant. If you are left-handed, your left hand
is the active-dominant.
Alphabet
Numbers
expression
WH Question
pronouns