learning sign language any help here

[Rozannnancarrow]

currently in an auslan sign group in my cong  but cant learn quick enough

[Margaret]

Look online...usually have been free ASL instruction or watch our videos in ASL

[LeslieDean]

currently in an auslan sign group in my cong  but cant learn quick enough

I am learning ASL! A slow go but I'm getting there!

[Margaret]

I want to and I know it is growing in our area

[Sheila]

I'm pretty sure there is a slight difference between ASL (American Sign Language) and Auslan (Australian Sign Language).  Many years ago a group of brothers and sisters got together to teach other brothers and sisters how to sign.   Was quite popular for a time, and cant remember why it stopped.   The only sign language group is now run from one congregation on the south side of Brisbane, and a few years ago I rang hoping to join (my father was deaf) but was advised that although learning to sign was relatively easy, nearly all the deaf in Brisbane had already been contacted and as they are fairly anti-social these people would get ticked off fairly quickly at being interrupted by 'strangers'.  Deaf people don't have a lot of 'people skills' (as I well know, coz my father was typical) and when they get tired of the 'conversation', they just turn their head away and ignore you, or even just walk away.   Wasn't encouraged so didn't pursue it, which was a shame as I would loved to have given it a try.   But the enthusiasm you have all shown makes me think that maybe I could try again, things might have changed.

[Margaret]

Learn it. You never know when you will have a need in your ministry

[Sheila]

Thanks for the push Margaret......although I havent heard about any brothers running sign language classes right now - will ask around.  Maybe there are online courses available somewhere. 

[LeslieDean]

Thanks for the push Margaret......although I havent heard about any brothers running sign language classes right now - will ask around.  Maybe there are online courses available somewhere. 

 

Look up lifeprint on the internet.  That is the site we were encouraged to use for the ASL classes at our KH.  It is broken down into lessons and easy to study.

[LeslieDean]

I'm pretty sure there is a slight difference between ASL (American Sign Language) and Auslan (Australian Sign Language).  Many years ago a group of brothers and sisters got together to teach other brothers and sisters how to sign.   Was quite popular for a time, and cant remember why it stopped.   The only sign language group is now run from one congregation on the south side of Brisbane, and a few years ago I rang hoping to join (my father was deaf) but was advised that although learning to sign was relatively easy, nearly all the deaf in Brisbane had already been contacted and as they are fairly anti-social these people would get ticked off fairly quickly at being interrupted by 'strangers'.  Deaf people don't have a lot of 'people skills' (as I well know, coz my father was typical) and when they get tired of the 'conversation', they just turn their head away and ignore you, or even just walk away.   Wasn't encouraged so didn't pursue it, which was a shame as I would loved to have given it a try.   But the enthusiasm you have all shown makes me think that maybe I could try again, things might have changed.

 

I really don't see how this is any different from people who just blank out on you.  They are still looking at you but have tuned out.  At least you know when you lost them. LOL

[Rozannnancarrow]

On 1/2/2014 at 10:48 AM, Sheila said:

I'm pretty sure there is a slight difference between ASL (American Sign Language) and Auslan (Australian Sign Language).  Many years ago a group of brothers and sisters got together to teach other brothers and sisters how to sign.   Was quite popular for a time, and cant remember why it stopped.   The only sign language group is now run from one congregation on the south side of Brisbane, and a few years ago I rang hoping to join (my father was deaf) but was advised that although learning to sign was relatively easy, nearly all the deaf in Brisbane had already been contacted and as they are fairly anti-social these people would get ticked off fairly quickly at being interrupted by 'strangers'.  Deaf people don't have a lot of 'people skills' (as I well know, coz my father was typical) and when they get tired of the 'conversation', they just turn their head away and ignore you, or even just walk away.   Wasn't encouraged so didn't pursue it, which was a shame as I would loved to have given it a try.   But the enthusiasm you have all shown makes me think that maybe I could try again, things might have changed.

Well now I'm in ghana  and having to adapt  my ausLan to asl ..doing fine and have studies  already  . One is attending  meetings.

 

This is max my deaf student  

Doing very well

 

 

Edited September 5, 2016 by carlos
Fixed formatting a bit

[Omoyeme]

May Jehovah bless your efforts Sis. Rozann! 

[Tcvancoops]

Learning sign language too.  I attend the sign language congregation once a week, and I try to make the material to regular English.  Then when I'm at my regular congregation I try to match the material to sign language via JW apps.  Plus, doing a lot of google searches, and YouTube videos to help me.  And in going to a class at the library soon; pretty surprised they're offering classes right when I decide to learn ASL.  And trust me, I'm an idiot so it's a slow process. 

The key thing is practice, practice, practice!  Try to use sign during your daily routines.  Ask the friends if they can help teach you.  Some congregations give lessons if they have X-amount of people to attend.  And of course, lots of prayers to Jehovah for help.  I'm sure he's already blessing your efforts!

 

[Alexa]

45 minutes ago, Tcvancoops said:

Learning sign language too.  I attend the sign language congregation once a week, and I try to make the material to regular English.  Then when I'm at my regular congregation I try to match the material to sign language via JW apps.  Plus, doing a lot of google searches, and YouTube videos to help me.  And in going to a class at the library soon; pretty surprised they're offering classes right when I decide to learn ASL.  And trust me, I'm an idiot so it's a slow process. 

The key thing is practice, practice, practice!  Try to use sign during your daily routines.  Ask the friends if they can help teach you.  Some congregations give lessons if they have X-amount of people to attend.  And of course, lots of prayers to Jehovah for help.  I'm sure he's already blessing your efforts!

 

That's nice sis Van, I hope another class come up here  

[tekmantwo]

38 minutes ago, Tcvancoops said:

.  And trust me, I'm an idiot so it's a slow process. 

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with you here Sister of mine.

I see you as a very elite person,  someone that the most powerful Being calls a personal friend,  someone that He called out of this evil world that was smart enough to recognize that call and take the necessary steps.  You are in a group that is less than one tenth of one percent of the worlds population. 

 

That makes you a very special person. ..don't sell yourself short--

Almighty God Jehovah doesn't. ..

 

[Precision]

16 minutes ago, tekmantwo said:

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree with you here Sister of mine.

I see you as a very elite person,  someone that the most powerful Being calls a personal friend,  someone that He called out of this evil world that was smart enough to recognize that call and take the necessary steps.  You are in a group that is less than one tenth of one percent of the worlds population. 

 

That makes you a very special person. ..don't sell yourself short--

Almighty God Jehovah doesn't. ..

 

 3 likes Tim       Spot on !   

 

It is not easy learning a second language Van. Jehovah loves and cherishes your efforts. He especially shows favor to ones who take and show sincere interest in ones that the world show little regard for.  Your efforts will pay off Sis...Please just give it a little time.  Practice and persistence makes perfect .

[Thesauron]

Forgive me for diverging a bit from the topic here, but how are you sign language publishers treated in the ministry by those whom you meet?

[Tcvancoops]

6 hours ago, Thesauron said:

Forgive me for diverging a bit from the topic here, but how are you sign language publishers treated in the ministry by those whom you meet?

Doing sign language in service is different in English.  It's more of a search effort than regular door to door bible discussion.  You tell the householder that you are reaching out to the sign language community and ask if they know of someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.  If they say yes, sometimes they'll give you a location for you to find them.  If they don't feel comfortable in giving a location we give them a little card which directs one who is deaf to JW.org, as well as a time and location for a sign language meeting.  But we do NOT witness to that householder unless they ask for more.

[Pjdriver]

I used to serve in the SanDiego sign language cong many years ago. I love the ministry in ASL. I found it easier than in English. It was like going on RVs all the time. The search work was easy and moved very quickly. We covered the whole county which I think was about a couple million people if I remember right. Unfortunately we had switch back to English because my son wasn't getting into it. 

I also belonged to group in Iowa for about 15 years. Had the privilege of teaching ASL  in two foreign language classes in that area. 

I think a great way to learn is to jump right in. Don't worry about mistakes. Watch the publication videos. That's the best way to learn how to sign the theocratic terms etc...

 

 

Edited September 11, 2016 by Pjdriver

[Rozannnancarrow]

On 9/11/2016 at 0:44 PM, Tcvancoops said:

Doing sign language in service is different in English.  It's more of a search effort than regular door to door bible discussion.  You tell the householder that you are reaching out to the sign language community and ask if they know of someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.  If they say yes, sometimes they'll give you a location for you to find them.  If they don't feel comfortable in giving a location we give them a little card which directs one who is deaf to JW.org, as well as a time and location for a sign language meeting.  But we do NOT witness to that householder unless they ask for more.

True we did a lot of deaf search in australia   and most were reseptive. 

In ghana  here they are very willing to hear ..specially  when you show or sign the scripture  on the deaf  will hear again 

[tekmantwo]

On 9/11/2016 at 0:28 PM, Pjdriver said:

 

I also belonged to group in Iowa for about 15 years. Had the privilege of teaching ASL  in two foreign language classes in that area. 

Bro Burt, what part of Iowa?  My wife  lived in the Quad cities  area for years and we lived there for a couple of years after we married.  We know a few people in the ASL  community,  two Sisters in particular,  who teach it at a secular school.

 

[Ahuvah]

On Tuesday, February 04, 2014 at 4:13 PM, LeslieDean said:

 

Look up lifeprint on the internet.  That is the site we were encouraged to use for the ASL classes at our KH.  It is broken down into lessons and easy to study.

That is a huge help thank you Leslie. 

 

I am fluent in NZSL ... but it has been a while and the flow of signing has been refined, with new signs and the way sign is fomattedis more streamlined, so I feel like I'm learning all over again. ASL is a basis for many of the signs in NZSL so this site will benefit me greatly as ASL is easily adapted to NZSL.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing my Deaf Student - Albert in the New System. I studied with him and his girl friend when I was pregnant with my children - so more than 20 years ago now. He had lived with his lady for 11 years and because of the truth decided to marry her, so I had the privilege of signing at their wedding, and sadly just three months later he had a stroke and died ... so I had to sign at his Funeral, it was heartbreaking. He had just arranged a meeting with the elders to become an unbaptized publisher. So I'm really looking forward to seeing him again.

[Pjdriver]

2 hours ago, tekmantwo said:

Bro Burt, what part of Iowa?  My wife  lived in the Quad cities  area for years and we lived there for a couple of years after we married.  We know a few people in the ASL  community,  two Sisters in particular,  who teach it at a secular school.

 

I was on the other end. On the border of South Dakota and Nebraska, in Sioux city. We had classes in Omaha an Sioux Falls. I noticed you're from Colfax. I lived in Rocklin, CA for about 10 years in the 80s and 90s. Small world. 

[tekmantwo]

4 minutes ago, Pjdriver said:

I was on the other end. On the border of South Dakota and Nebraska, in Sioux city. We had classes in Omaha an Sioux Falls. I noticed you're from Colfax. I lived in Rocklin, CA for about 10 years in the 80s and 90s. Small world. 

Haha, yes,  small world --

If you look at my avatar,  it is our wedding and it was in the Davenport Hall. ..

Some names you might know,  my wife gave them to me.

Evan Terronez and Geraldine Ackerland, that's all she could think of right then that were involved in the ALS ..

[Pjdriver]

56 minutes ago, tekmantwo said:

Haha, yes,  small world --

If you look at my avatar,  it is our wedding and it was in the Davenport Hall. ..

Some names you might know,  my wife gave them to me.

Evan Terronez and Geraldine Ackerland, that's all she could think of right then that were involved in the ALS ..

I didn't know anyone out there. It was a 5-6 hour drive from where I was.

And I moved back to  the east coast about 7 years ago where I grew up. 

I studied with 7 deaf people back in Iowa. 4 got baptized one fell away and one passed away. The other 2 are doing well. The husband is a MS. And their children are grown now and also doing well. It was a wonderful experience, I miss it. 

 

Do you know any old timers in Rocklin or Loomis? I'm sure there's a lot of changes since I was there.

 

Edited September 12, 2016 by Pjdriver

[tekmantwo]

1 hour ago, Pjdriver said:

 

 

Do you know any old timers in Rocklin or Loomis? I'm sure there's a lot of changes since I was there.

 

 

My wife is the one that knows the area and the people of Iowa.  I wasn't really happy with living there and we moved back to Chicago Park CA. I don't really know anyone in the Rocklin or Loomis area, I pretty much stayed in the Grass Valley / Nevada City arena, except for work and then I went everywhere. lol...

 

I  did meet up with an old family friend one time at a CA that, I believe,  is from there. Philip Morano is his name, his wife is Christy, they have a couple of sons.

He told me some other mutual friends were in the area,  Ken Goodwin and Lyle Price....that's about all I got..