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From: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: How hard is it to learn to sign?
Message-ID: <15580@handicap.news>
Date: 14 May 91 13:49:00 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Allan, how long it takes to learn sign depends on several factors.
If you elect to learn an MCE-Manually Coded English such as SEE, Signed
English, or something similar and if you also have a good mastery of
English to begin with; you may find it relatively easy. Basically you
would to presenting English syntax in a physically mobile format. Your
hands would be making positions and movements designed to duplicate
English syntax and spellings. This is a pseudo-language not unlike
writing in that it presents what is normally a spoken language in an
unspoken form. It does not carry over the voice intonations and other
phonological characteristics.

If you elect to learn American Sign Language; also known as Ameslan
and ASL, that changes things. You would be learning a new language
that has its own syntax, grammar rules and unique properties as does
any true language. Your natural aptitude for learning languages, your
level of desire to learn it, the quality of instruction you receive
and the degree of opportunity you have to practice it in practical
situations will determine how well you learn it. Don't let all this
pedagogy intimidate you. I personally believe that for many people;
the bottomline is something called "desire." If you really want to
achieve something; whether you achieve it 100% , or close to it or
far below that, comes down to how much heart you have for it. Even
if you fall a bit short but still do well enough, you are head and
shoulders above the alternative. Believe me, it will be rather obvious.
Go for it. Whichever way you choose to go.

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