How to learn sign language | Self-development

Sign Language Interpreter Day is held on October 31st. It was established to draw public attention to the problems of the deaf.

A sign language interpreter is an intermediary in communication between deaf people and the rest of the world. Sign language interpreters “translate” television and radio programs, films, help with telephone communication, and represent the interests of people with hearing impairments in government agencies and hospitals. If a deaf person is not helped, many things will become completely inaccessible to him.

Many hearing people confuse finger alphabet and sign language. Sign language is a situation where hand gestures convey the sounds of speech (letter by letter), that is, one gesture means one letter, and sign language is when whole words are shown with one gesture.

The history of the appearance of the deaf language

The sign language of the deaf began to emerge in Europe a very long time ago, back in the early 18th century. The main task of teachers of the deaf was to teach hard-of-hearing people how to write and read correctly. In Europe, the old French sign language was mainly used, so it was slightly modified. Teachers were able to introduce new gestures that facilitated grammar learning. At the beginning of the 19th century, this language appeared in Russia.

The World Federation for the Deaf first appeared in 1951, and it was decided to create standards for the language. Standard rules were necessarily applied to all sign languages used by public figures and professionals in working with the hearing impaired.

To standardize gestures, experts carried out long-term work and analyzed the characteristics of all nations. In 1973, they were able to release a full-fledged dictionary of sign speech, prepared by the World Federation.

How to learn sign language

Difference between deaf and auditory languages

Hiremika studies sound language and also performs a distinctive function. This method of communication is achieved by pronouncing words with the lips. Gestures depict phenomena and objects in the environment, for example, those that are far from auditory language - “play the piano”, “computer” and others. Gestures express words such as working with keys and are expressed in a single gesture. Interestingly, for a single word of a sound language, gestural dialects may have multiple methods of expressing meanings and concepts.

Meanings may vary in different speech cultures, depending on dialects and the way people speak. Each person can add features when gesturing, which is similar to auditory language and dialects. In communication between deaf and dumb people, a special grammar is used, which facilitates communication on various topics and does not repeat the principles of sound language.

The Importance of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is an important addition to basic communication, allowing you to convey much more information to your interlocutor, increase the level of mutual understanding and make any conversation more constructive. Psychologists call 5 main functions of nonverbal signals:

Duplication. With a gesture, facial expression or intonation, a person can repeat the main message, confirming it, making it more understandable and unambiguous.
Contradiction. Consciously or unconsciously, a person may show that he meant the opposite. For example, when talking about his intentions, he can wink conspiratorially.
Substitution of meaning. With your eyes and facial expressions you can not only complement the meaning, but also completely change it or demonstrate that the phrase is said in a figurative meaning.
Addition to what was said. Certain gestures can convey additional messages. For example, a person can say that he does not want to do something, but show by his facial expression that he is tired of it.
Strengthening meaning. Kind words can be emphasized with a friendly smile, and an emotional statement can be emphasized by hitting the table with your fist.

What other sign languages are there?

Gestures are widely used not only when communicating with the hearing impaired and to convey information to the deaf:

In special cases, gestures are the object of art, for example, in pantomime. Such nonverbal communication with body movements can be used to poetically reproduce certain situations in life, convey feelings or mood.
Some types of classical theater in India are accompanied by symbolic gestures that indicate certain actions, phenomena, emotions or objects.
Classical drama theaters in Japan generally use sign language as an equal part of expression, which has strictly established forms and meanings.
Gestures are also actively used in the traffic rules system - by traffic controllers, traffic police officers and drivers. Drivers can use gesture signals in situations where indicator lights and turn signals have failed. Gestures from train drivers can warn of a dangerous situation.
There are established gestures in the army that are used in situations where it is impossible to give commands using the voice, to control the formation and give orders.
Gestures help during sporting events and referees use signs established by international standards.

Motorist sign language

Sign language from scratch: where to start?

Reading and understanding sign language seems quite difficult at first. Due to the fact that there is no universal sign language (there are more than a hundred of them in the world), you need to decide on the one you want to know. In this article we will look at the basic words of Russian Sign Language used for communication.

Learn basic phrases in sign language

The most important thing for learning is to understand that signs occupy space near the speaker. Unlike auditory language, which conveys information sequentially, deaf language is perceived and shown simultaneously. Literally one gesture can convey a lot of information. That is why it is better to first learn the sign language alphabet for beginners.

Let's get acquainted with dactylology and the importance of facial expressions

To understand sign language, learning must begin with basic knowledge. Russian sign language has a rich vocabulary and is not easy to use without skills and knowledge. Gestures consist of “hirems”, which do not have a specific meaning. The main principles of gestures:

how the gesture is positioned in relation to the body;
what shape does the hand performing the gesture have?
hand movements during gestures;
movements of the hands in space in relation to the body or between people.

Sign language has a schematic nature, invented during communication, as well as a distinctive connection with the visual meanings of words.

To take a sign language course from scratch, you need to spend the same amount of time as learning a regular foreign language. Sign language is not easy to learn, so in addition to theory, you need to have a lot of practice, without which it is difficult to master basic knowledge. The hardest thing is to correctly understand your interlocutors than to show gestures yourself. That is why it is important to learn to distinguish between the dactylic alphabet and sign language, because dactylems convey a word letter by letter, and gestures convey entire words or sentences. It is also important to choose the right facial expressions during a conversation in order to convey information in the right color.

Learn sign language

Counting and numbers

After you have completely learned the alphabet, you need to become familiar with the numbers and their correct display. To expand your knowledge, you need to learn how to show numbers and figures up to one hundred. Sign language in terms of numbers is quite complex, so pay enough attention and practice to this point.

Learn numbers in sign language

How to learn to show numbers in sign language

Technique of placing fingers and hands

In Russian Sign Language, speed of movement and hand position play an important role. That is why you need to learn sign language slowly, carefully working through the technical aspects of placing your hands and fingers. Study the alphabet step by step to work out the correct production.

At first, your limbs will get tired quickly, so be sure to take breaks and pauses while studying. Just a few workouts will help you adapt to such movements, so you will gain endurance. Beginners often initially encounter wooden gestures. Do special exercises for your hands and fingers to make them flexible and resilient.

There are several principles for clear body language:

leave straight fingers that are not involved in gestures;
in configurations, each of the fingers must act independently;
do not use gaps between configurations;
blurred and unclear configurations are considered defects.

Gesture speed

Sign language requires mastery of technique and precision in hand placement, so increase your speed of movement over time. Decide which words you want to learn first in order to pronounce in dactyl. For example, you can pronounce your name.

Position yourself in front of the mirror so you can see your body movements and start training. At first, just repeat the movements to memorize and gradually speed up your gestures. Do not violate the precision of body movement for speed. Be careful about every gesture so that you can fully use them and avoid making basic mistakes.

Gait

Remember that when gait, such indicators as foot placement, step size, degree of tension and speed are very important.
The speed of gait depends on the person’s temperament and the seriousness of his intentions. This can be indicated by a fast, active, restless, nervous, calm or relaxed gait.
If a person walks slowly and clearly spreads his legs wide, most likely he is trying to show off.
Heaviness and strength in gait indicates that a person considers himself superior, significant and strong. However, this is often just an appearance.
A person walking relaxed is most likely not showing any particular interest in anything at the moment, or is poorly disciplined.
A “wooden gait,” angular, with unnaturally tense legs, is a reflection of timidity, tightness and lack of contact with other people.
Impetuous steps and waving your arms in different directions are a sign of activity and the presence of some desires at a given moment in time.
A person who walks wide is a purposeful person, business-minded, enterprising and wanting to achieve something. It is likely that his actions are aimed at achieving a specific result.
Short and small steps in a woman are considered a reflection of caution, prudence, restraint, adaptability, quick thinking and good reaction.
If a person walks quickly and often steps, breaking the rhythm, he is afraid or excited.
A gait with a clear rhythm and hips swaying from side to side is characteristic of self-confident people.
Lazy, sluggish and sluggish people walk with a shuffling feet.
A somewhat theatrical, proud and heavy walk is a sign of arrogance and narcissism.

How to learn sign language words?

Russian sign language is a separate unit of language used to communicate with the hearing impaired. This type of language is distinguished not only by static figures, but also contains dynamic components and facial features. Also, during communication, it is necessary to pronounce words with your lips, which affects the gestural part.

How to learn sign language on your own

During communication, pay a lot of attention to your positions and do not make involuntary gestures so that they do not receive information inappropriately. Sign communication is based on the alphabet, which helps quickly overcome the barrier between an ordinary person and a hearing-impaired person. For many words in the Russian language, there are gestures that mean entire words or actions and are distinguished by their understandability and logic.

For example, “write” - we imitate writing with one hand on the palm of the other. “Count” - just bend your fingers. The structure of gestures is not the most complex, and the order of words is completely consistent with ordinary language. Like other languages, this type of communication is very lively and varies depending on the region. Books and guides are rarely updated, so recent publications of primers are a real treasure trove of knowledge.

The sign language of the deaf and dumb can begin to be taught from basic and simple signs that will help to understand such people. Here is a simple sign language, the words of which are the most popular:

The most popular phrases in sign language

thank you in sign language: “spa” - the right hand is clenched into a fist and touches the forehead with the knuckles, and “sibo” is accompanied by touching the chin;
my name...: we point a finger at ourselves using our right hand, and then we stroke the back of our left hand several times with quick movements, and make up the name using the dactyl alphabet;
how to say good afternoon in sign language: stroke the back of your left hand twice, pointing towards you. After this, we fold our fingers into a “duck” and point it upward, with the back side facing the other person;
please: this word speaks of a request for help and the gesture is very simple. We fold our hands and join our palms, and then move them a little as during prayer;
how much time: we pronounce the word “how much” with our lips, and then we bring our open fingers to our mouth and tap on the wrist of our left hand, where we often wear our watch;
goodbye: a simple sign that involves raising your hand and waving your fingers up and down.

The most important thing is to monitor the correctness of gestures and check your movements.

Why is it so important to understand people?

• We waste a lot of money or time by hiring the wrong person.

• We lend money to a friend in trouble, and then we find out that he simply took advantage of our kindness.

• A new acquaintance constantly reschedules the meeting, leaving us wondering what is really going on.

• In the world there are thieves, swindlers, philanderers and just people who need to get what they want from us.

These and many other situations require our attention to posture, facial expressions, voice timbre and other characteristics of nonverbal communication.

Where can they help me learn sign language?

Learning gestures on your own is difficult, especially if there is no practice. The following sources will help you during your study:

youtube. There are many different channels on the YouTube website with video lessons that teach such topics. They analyze the most common phrases and words, provide dialogues, provide voiceovers for films, songs, and much more. Video materials are more interesting to watch, so learning will go faster;
special sources and books (for example, the “city of gestures” website, where you can learn in the form of a game);
specialized sign language schools and tutors (Deafnet institution in Moscow, A.I. Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University in St. Petersburg, Institute of Social Rehabilitation in Novosibirsk, etc.). In almost every city there are schools, tutors and institutions that will help you quickly learn sign communication skills.

You can also communicate with people in the form of feedback, who will help you correct mistakes and put your hands in the correct positions.
Learning sign language from scratch is not easy, but with diligent effort you can gain complete knowledge and skills. Learn sign language

Handshakes

A person who places his hand on top of yours when shaking hands wants to convey his physical superiority over you. Superiority can also be indicated by the external thumbs of a person's hands when he holds them in his pockets.
If, when shaking hands, a person’s hand is turned palm up, it means that he is ready to obey you.
A direct and firm handshake indicates that the person is confident in himself, but is not going to put pressure on the person he is greeting or indulge him. This handshake is also a sign of respect.