Merry Christmas

Christmas

This sign has several variations.

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CHRISTMAS:
Hint:  Think of a wreath.

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CHRISTMAS:
Hint:  Think of showing the inside edge of a wreath.

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CHRISTMAS:
Hint:  Think of showing an initialized form of the sign "TREE."  (No, this sign doesn't mean "Christmas Tree."  To indicate a Christmas tree, sign CHRISTMAS + TREE.)

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
For the "Merry Christmas" greeting, just show an "M" and a "C"

Martha's Vineyard Sign Language

Everyone who lives in Martha's Vineyard knows sign language! Well, if it was the1800's deaf and hearing people would know how to how to sign! The deaf population was so high that it was natural for everyone to embrace the language. Today the population is different, but the history lives on. I'll be putting this island on my list to travel to for 2011!

Cover of Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Marthas Vineyard

Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Laurent Clerc

Laurent Clerc
Teacher, co-founder of the first permanent school for the deaf in North America.
Born	December 26, 1785 La Balme, France
Died	July 18, 1869 (aged 83) Hartford, Connecticut, United States

Books, Books and Books

We all know and trust Laurent Clerc. Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center offers an extensive list of books for multiple purposes - general, music, parents, specific focus.

For teaching purposes, I have used the following books:

This book is useful but I do not rank it number one. However, it is a good resource for beginners. 

Signing: How to Speak With Your Hands Elaine Costello

This dictionary is by far one of the best purchases to make when learning sign language. The definitions provide the origin of the word, which is helpful to remember the sign. 

Random House Webster’s Concise American Sign Language Dictionary

[Mass Market Paperback]

(1 Customer Review)

Elaine Costello

If the flash card technique worked for you during your educational career, pick up this set. It is useful for teaching purposes and for personal practice. 

	The American Sign Language Handshape Flash Cards: Set 1 Richard A. Tennant	Other Format Usually ships in 24 hours. May 22, 2002	$24.95		check store inventory add to wish list 1 used from $20.46
	The American Sign Language Handshape Flash Cards: Set 2 Richard A. Tennant	Other Format Usually ships in 24 hours. May 22, 2002	$24.95		available online only add to wish list 1 used from $19.92

Personally, I recommend taking a course or learning from a friend, even visiting the interactive websites to really grasp the language. The pictures in books are really great to boost your memory of forgotten signs or to read the connection to the sign and word. However, if you know of more books or looking for another book, share please!

Want to get certified in American Sign Language?

Ocean County College has a certification program with an extraordinary leader, Kathy Basilotto. Take a minute to peruse the classes offer or email Kathy for more information.

Better yet, enjoy one of the Rock and Roll shows performed at OCC. Here's what Kathy Basilotto says about it "American Sign Language Rock and Roll Show Fundraisers – I direct three shows per year with ITP students and professors.  These exceptional shows are mesmerizing for all who attend.  Songs performed in the show are played by a DJ; however, students perform these songs using ASL.  The concerts benefit several charities, our annual Deaf Awareness Day at OCC, and the annual senior trip to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C."   Being a past graduate, this was one of my favorite parts of the program. It was an excellent learning experience signing on stage and an opportunity to interact with the deaf community and bond with other signers.


Learning a second language can certainly be one of the most profound accomplishments to experience!

Happy Hanukkah!

Visual Reading

Has anyone ordered materials from Signs Across America? The resources look phenomenal. There are interactive storybooks using voice and sign. Recently, I found out pop up books are a favorite of babies. I can only imagine how these interactive sign books can have a positive cognitive impact on babies. Below is a sample from the website. Share your thoughts if you order or have used these books!

Gallaudet University

Visiting Gallaudet University is the best experience. Get totally immersed in the deaf culture. Did you know it is the world's only university for deaf and hard of hearing students? One of many thanks for GU is to President Ab Lincoln signing the Act of Congress in 1864.

Football season is done, but next time cheer on the Bison team. That was one of my favorite experiences during my visit. 

Mapquest the location and drive on over...
800 Florida Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002-3695
www.gallaudet.edu

Presents!!! Sign Gifts...

Looking for a fun unique gift or know someone who signs or is deaf and looking for an awesome gift??? Here are my thoughts... click on the link to purchase. ***I receive zero profit from these sites. This is just my sign research I am sharing. 

For the guy who loves is girl ...   
Endless Love Ring is the name of the ring above. 












For the child or adult who loves board games ... 

See It and Sign It is the name of the game.


















For the ornament lover ....  
Cherub Ornament "Right hand signs "I Love You", as this innocent angel kneels as in diligent watchfulness, creating an atmosphere of guardianship and love. "




















For a best friend, interpreter, love ...                                                               Sterling Silver Charms that will never go out of style or lose their meaning. 

For the chef lover! Customize your own apron. There are different styles and colors. Here's an example: 

This apron says, "Kiss the Chef" in sign language.

For the t-shirt lover ... 
There are so many t-shirts to choose from so select the one that best fits your lucky gift receiver or especially for YOU!
There's also stickers, mugs, sweatshirts, journals, bags, mouse pads, coasters, magnets and sooo many more fun items! 
THIS IS A FUN WEBSITE TO BUY PRESENTS FOR YOURSELF OR FOR OTHERS!

Government Signs

Do you work for the government? Several family members of mine work for the government and I came across this site ... http://www.needsoutreach.org/Pages/sign-Gov.html

Excellent visuals and well organized. The vocabulary word is shown. Click on the picture again and you will see the English sentence with the ASL sentence signed. Watching the ASL sentence structure is a great learning tool. Check it out!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving: (version 1)
Do a "double handed" "double thank-you."

Abe Lincoln Signing?!?!

Have you ever been to Washington, D.C. to see the statue of Abe Lincoln? It was created by Daniel Chester French. If you look closely at his hands you will see one hand in the shape of the sign language letter "A" and the other hand lifted slightly into the sign language shape "L." Yes, Abe Lincoln supported higher education for all people during his Presidency, which supported the college for the deaf to be established, presently known as Gallaudet University! It is not directly stated by French that he created the statue on purpose to show the sign letters "A" and "L." However, since he was a creative artist with knowledge of the manual sign language alphabet, how could he have not intended to shape Lincoln's hands as such?!?!

 

After all, if you click on French's name above you will read that he created the statue below FIRST, before Abe Lincoln's statue above. The statue represents a teacher signing the letter "a" to a student who is modeling. 

 

Signing to Babies

Sign space is important when using American Sign Language as a second language (or first language). When teaching babies sign language or person who has limited mobility or fine motor skills, observe how the child interprets the sign. Signing the word water requires your dominant hand to be in the shape of the letter W using your pointer, middle and ring finger. Move the W shape to your mouth tapping your pointer finger underneath your bottom lip. You have now signed the word, water. Check out www.aslpro.com dictionary for a visual. As the parent or teacher, always sign the word correctly. However, if a child signs water closer to their nose or cheek, uses all five fingers instead of three or taps under their chin understand this non verbal communication as water. The formality of the word can be learned later as the child develops. In the meantime, allow flexibility with the sign.

Sign Language Perks

Knowing sign language as a second language gives you the ability to communicate between glass doors, down the hall, from car to car, in a noisy room and I am sure you can think of some other perks!

Marlee Matlin

Did you see the news on AOL today? Check out this video link if you didn't see it. Marlee Matlin signs an important message about being heard. I think it's pretty inspiring. Also, you get to see her sign in action along with closed caption. Whether you know sign language or not, you'll understand. 

Marlee Matlin also has several books published. I read Deaf Child Crossing by Marlee Matlin. It is an easy quick read to understand a glimpse of deaf culture. 

 

I'll Scream Later by Marlee Matlin is another one of her books. Has anyone read it? I'll be headed to the stores this holiday to pick it up. 

SEE, ASL, PSE - What does it all mean?

Simply stated ...

SEE = Signed Exact English
This type of sign language is signing every single word in English to sign. If you want to say, "I go to the store" one would sign each word "I want to go to the store."

ASL = American Sign Language
This type of sign language is the language of the Deaf. It has its own syntax and grammar. If you wanted to say, "I go to the store" one would sign "store I go." Did you know it is the 4th most commonly used language in America? Check out the ASL link.

PSE - Pidgin Sign English
This type of sign language is a combination of English and ASL. It doesn't follow English in exact word order nor the syntax and grammar of ASL. If you want to say, "I go to the store" one would sign "I go store."

Savvy Sign Language Website

Not sure of how to sign a word or want to learn a new word???  Signing Savvy Your Signing Resource is a user friendly site to learn. If you tab this site as your favorite you can even follow and learn the word of the day.

ASL Pro is another site I often visit, as well. My favorite feature is testing my skills with the quizzes that are available.

Know of any other valuable signing sites?

Baby sign

Do you use sign language to communicate with your newborn? Research shows using sign language is the perfect transition from babies begin nonverbal to verbal. It's an excellent way to decrease the unknowns of parenting. The most common signs I hear about are the words: more, eat and finished. Mothers and fathers or those who are caretakers of babies, what are the most common signs that you use and teach?

Panera Bread Deaf Chat

Another fun night at Panera Bread chatting in sign language with amazing people. Familiar faces from Deaf Mosaic joined in the conversation, as well as new faces eager to learn the language and develop a relationship with the deaf community. Vitamin is one of the new words learned during the chat this evening. With your dominant hand make the letter v shape and circle it = vitamin. Being familiar with the environment and topic of the conversation absolutely creates a sense of ease and understanding of the discussion being signed. Although verbally the conversation would have been smoother, it took more time to express the thought in sign language because the component of knowing the signs did not exist until told. The same thing applies to a spoken topic one is unfamiliar with too - not knowing and understanding the lingo for doctors, accountants, chefs, musicians, etc may deter you from following the points of conversation fluently. Knowledge is power, right!?!

Central Jersey Sign Language

Connecting with other signers in central Jersey has not been the easiest connection. Most deaf events in the Monthly Communicator and Sign News (both are FREE to subcribe - If you know other paper resources, please share!) are located in North and South Jersey. Recently I came across Deaf Mosaics Center, a non profit organization, which shares local central jersey events. Check it out. I have been to the Ocean Township Panera Bread deaf chat. The group was extremely friendly and welcoming. I look forward to enjoying another vanilla chai tea latte with the group.

Cheers!
Amy

Vodka sign and medicine

Today I learned a new sign. Vodka. Not all signs related to liquor have actual signs. Most liquor drinks are finger spelled. How do you sign vodka? Use your dominant hand, touch your thumb to your middle finger to make a flicking motion as if you are going to spin a coin on the table - do this motion to the side of your neck repeatedly.

The vodka sign came up in conversation as a health remedy. Apparently if you take one shot of vodka with a piece of hot cayenne pepper your sore throat will go away by morning. Now I have not tried this strategy and only recommend it those 21 years and older. If you are of drinking age let me know if this works the next time you have a sore throat and use this interesting medicine technique.