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From: boone@athena.cs.uga.edu (Roggie Boone)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Beginner's questions about sign language
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Date: 30 Mar 91 05:21:09 GMT
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Reply-To: boone@athena.cs.uga.edu (Roggie Boone)
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Index Number: 14587

Hello, I am interested in learning sign language.  I have purchased
a couple of books (_Joy of Signing_ and  _The Signed English
Dictionary_) so that I can study on my own.  I am considering
taking a 4-week night class on Beginning Sign Language.  This class
claims to teach "American Sign Language", but from what I have read
in my books and others, "Signed English" seems to be preferred.  My
questions are then,

        1) Is there that much difference betweeh ASL and SE?
        2) if I take a class in ASL, will I be learning a style that will
           be soon be phasing out or a style that will hinder my
           learning of SIgned English if that turns out to be the
           preferred method of signing?

>From my own study, I prefer Signed English, but the classes
offered here where I live and the books in the library focus on
ASL.  I found a book called "An ASL Phrase Book" (if I'm not
mistaken) that looked good for personal study and apparently has an
accompanying video tape series.  Is there a comparable phrase book
for SIgned English and/or Video Tape series?

Thanks in advance for the advice and information.

Roggie Boone
boone@athena.cs.uga.edu