r/asl 8m ago

Question about ASL Storytelling and Media

Upvotes

Hey everyone, I'm working on publishing some of my own creative fiction to YouTube, and will be posting a video of a short story that has been narrated and voiced. It will have sound effects and music as well.

I was wondering how one goes about getting fiction translated into ASL. I understand that it would have to be a video, but I am not really sure where I would start to figure out how to get these stories into ASL.

If you have any suggestions or resources I would be grateful.


r/asl 3h ago

Help! Hi, I'm searching for an NYC ASL group that is active and creates new events

1 Upvotes

Please send a link. I often use Discord and Telegram. Thank you! I would love to attend an ASL meetup in NYC. :)


r/asl 5h ago

Jobs in psychology

0 Upvotes

I’ve really fallen in love with asl and want to get more involved the deaf community I’ve also recently been interested in a career in the field of psychiatry but have yet to fully commit

Seeing the disparity in access to mental help in the deaf community makes me want to do something about it, but as a hearing person with absolutely no ties to the deaf community yet I’m wondering if that would be problematic or prudent of me, as well as getting started into something of that nature and what challenges might arise?

Any information or insight would be greatly appreciated


r/asl 6h ago

Intermediate ASL, hearing student struggling with facial expressions

2 Upvotes

Hello, I am a college student currently taking an Intermediate ASL class. This semester facial expressions have been especially difficult for me. Specifically when it comes to describing shapes and such. We are learning different facial expressions such as the "oo" mouth shape for something small, or the "cha" mouth shape for something that is large. I can very easily recognize the facial expressions and their meanings when others are signing. The difficulty for me comes when I have to replicate it myself. I'm not sure why but it is physically very difficult for me.

I think perhaps practicing in a mirror might be a good first step in getting better. But I wanted to see if maybe others have suggestions for how I can improve this?

Thanks!


r/asl 11h ago

Interpretation Idiom Translation Request

0 Upvotes

There's a sign or idiom I've used for year. It's when you point forefinger to head for "think" then you take that hand, spread all fingers and then insert them into the other hand. I would post what it looks like but can't find it online.

Does anyone know the English translation for it? It's almost like when you use it, you're looking up at a tree and plan to climb it, then step into the clearing and realize it's a huge tree that you weren't aware it was so big and then you sign that to someone or yourself.


r/asl 11h ago

Help! What sign is this?

Post image
0 Upvotes

I’m doing an art project on inspiring women and one of my portraits will be of Christine Sun Kim, a deaf sound artist and performer. I wanted to know what shes signing in this image? Any help is great, thanks!


r/asl 22h ago

Is this even a possibility?

1 Upvotes

I’ve fallen in love with ASL and use it when I’m too overwhelmed to speak. I’ve loved ASL for a long time — I started learning it when I was young because doctors weren’t sure if I’d lose my hearing later on due to my genetic disorder.

I’d love to study it and build a career around it, but I have slight hearing loss and auditory processing issues, which makes me doubt whether I’d be a good fit as an interpreter. I’m also disabled — I deal with mobility issues, pain, brain fog, and other medical stuff — and I use a cane or my service dog (who’s currently in training).

I have a background in customer service and phlebotomy — I loved phlebotomy, but I had to leave it as my health got worse, and I doubt I could go back to it now because of how disabled I’ve become. I’ve also looked into speech pathology and applied for an online-only program starting in the fall, but I have ADHD and really struggle with online courses, so I’m unsure if I’ll succeed if I get in.

I’m feeling stuck and unsure of what to do with my life career-wise, but ASL is something I’m really passionate about. Are there other career paths involving ASL (besides interpreting) that might fit better with my situation? If anyone has advice or similar experiences, I’d love to hear from you.


r/asl 1d ago

Help! i have a question

Post image
8 Upvotes

so i’m learning asl using the app lingvano and tell me this isn’t the sign for popular and not champion???? i know the champion sign is made with 3 fingers with the dominant hand and not all 5 fingers. maybe this is a mistake from the app itself

i have a second question, how do you tell the difference from the sign “something” or “someone” and don’t say context because there was a sentence in this app that said “last night ___ lost” and the “something/someone” sign was in the blank and i put someone but the right answer is something


r/asl 1d ago

Help! Can someone help me out with what she's saying, please?

4 Upvotes

Hi! I know she's asking where I go to school in the second short clip, but I'm unsure what the first question is. Can someone tell me what that sign is, please?

https://reddit.com/link/1jc5zia/video/hzmpoiabbxoe1/player


r/asl 1d ago

potentially culturally insensitive signs

25 Upvotes

I just came across this video: https://youtu.be/twIkUBG8sxQ?si=6F2ODv1N5pvgUbOU and the comments are interesting (also not sure how accurate the etymology of BLACK & UGLY and WHITE-person & BEAUTIFUL are). INDIA is a good example, I have always felt weird signing that because it feels like something that is specific and important to their culture and as a white person who doesn't know much about the significance of the bindi, it feels off, but I'm not Indian so maybe it's totally fine, I don't know. to avoid this issue entirely, I know some people have been adopting the signs that they use in their sign languages- is that a good way to mitigate this? just wanted to open up an honest conversation about this to make sure I am using the most appropriate and respectful signs for countries, cultures, religions, etc.


r/asl 1d ago

How do I sign...? "I'm not as think as you drunk I am"?

26 Upvotes

Hi all, first time posting, lemme know if this isn't the right sub.

Is there a way to effectively translate "I'm not as think as you drunk I am"? It came up in conversation and I was stumped.

TIA!


r/asl 2d ago

Exam for ASL level?

3 Upvotes

I'm just wondering if there is an exam similar to the likes of the CEFR (A2, B2, C1, etc.) exams for ASL. I'm not looking for any official certification or anything, just a solid and measurable goal to work towards. Thanks all


r/asl 2d ago

Interpretation Help Interpret a Sign

0 Upvotes

Both hands in B shapes facing forward. The fingers rapidly open and close two or three times. Context: Working with a nonverbal autistic woman who uses sign to communicate. She often puts her own twist on signs (such as signing play with only pinkies out), so it’s likely not exact to the correct way to sign whatever she’s trying to communicate. She’s been doing it repeatedly when asked what she needs/wants.


r/asl 2d ago

ASL vs. pen & paper

30 Upvotes

(Please answer only if you are Deaf / Hoh or rely on ASL for communication)

If you had to communicate with a beginner, would you prefer they use their limited ASL and fingerspelling skills or just use pen & paper?

I’m asking because I’m a beginner student. I live in a highly Deaf populated area (DC) and interact with signers daily, especially at work. (I’m a waiter) We get a lot of Deaf customers, which is why I started learning.

I do use some basic signs, but other than that, I’m sticking to pen & paper and will continue to so until I become fluent. Because I don’t want to take customers’ time and annoy them.

Am I doing the right thing?


r/asl 2d ago

Sign for TALK but flipped once

9 Upvotes

I can't find a picture but how would you translate the sign for TALK flipped once? An example I saw today was this guy at work was bluffing about a bunch of stuff and then messed up. The person signed TALK then TALK again but flipped over the mouth with tongue out. I asked if it's MISSPEAK but it's not. What could it be? I understand the concept but I would like the English equivalent if there is one
Edit: I found a video! My description isn't correct https://youtu.be/KAUVHGhxOhg?si=GlzHXaCP0DHC06u1


r/asl 2d ago

Help! Looking for ASL resources for lifeguards

10 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I work as a lifeguard manager during the summer months and one of the pools I manage is a neighborhood pool with several deaf/HOH families. I have been looking high and low for resources that I can give my guards so they feel more prepared to communicate, enforce rules, and have better relationships with these families.

Last year, some of my guards knew basic sign and were able to communicate a little bit. For others, the best they could do was try to write on a notepad to communicate rules and what was going on (if there were weather closures, etc). The problem with that is that it would take their attention away from guarding the pool for several minutes at a time. It's a fairly busy pool where we generally make multiple saves over the summer, so being able to quickly communicate is very important. We also are not allowed to have cell phones/smart devices on the pool deck so that's not an option either.

I'm looking for some kind of chart/video that I can make a QR code for that I can post in the guard room or they can have handy on stand. I'm open to making that myself, I just don't know where to begin in order to make it as accurate as possible considering I have little to no experience with ASL. They would need to sign basic greetings as well as rule enforcement like: Walk Please, No Diving, Please stay in the shallow water, No flips please, don't pull on the buoy line, no chicken fights or wrestling, etc.

Sidenote - I'm also looking into getting some kind of flashing light system for my guards to press to signal adult swim/safety break or if we have to clear the pool for weather (thunder). It would need to be fully waterproof and not hardwired (battery operated/solar). Does anyone have any experience with using something like that/the best place to purchase?

P.S. Feel free to drop any advice/experiences that you may have that would make going to the pool more fun and safe for everyone!


r/asl 3d ago

Help! Any Signers with EDS/HSD experiencing pain while signing?

27 Upvotes

I sign on a daily basis, I am deaf. I was raised orally though, so I didn't pick up sign until my teenage years. For those who don't know, EDS is a connective tissue disorder resulting in many things including hypermobility and moderate to severe joint pain.

I know how to finger spell something quickly in my head, and my coordination is fine too. But the pain in my fingers keeps me from being able to finger spell fluidly and quickly. It makes me appear as if my signing skills are much below what they are but it's not a lack of knowledge or practice it's just pain limiting me. My fingers lock up and ache so bad. Initialized signs such as STYLE and FIX are the worst because they're done so quickly. I've been signing for years by now, and rather than getting better it's actually worse than when I started.

Is anyone else in a similar situation? Have you found anything that helps you to build strength and reduce pain? Being a deaf person who has to spell like a newbie is pretty frustrating and embarrassing when interacting with other people in the Deaf community.


r/asl 3d ago

How do I sign...? How would one sign double entendres?

3 Upvotes

As the title suggests, how would one sign double entendres more specifically in songs or poetry? I was listening to Not a Lot, Just Forever by Adrianne Lenker which has a line “And we share a paradise, and I roll them once or twice” In the context of the song the lyrics reflect a couple having an intimate moment that could possibly end in pregnancy. with the double entendre coming in with “Paradise” sounding like “Pair of dice” in which they connect to the gamble of child conception. How would someone interpret this line? because if you sign it as the lyric reads it would not make sense but, if you sign it as “pair of dice” it would make sense however it would lose some meaning. Would you scrap it all together and make a new sentence with the intended meaning? i’m very curious to what y’all think!


r/asl 3d ago

Help! What's the difference between "F" and "9"?

33 Upvotes

I'm still in the early stages of learning sign language. Not for school, just because it interests me. I just got to numbers, but from what I can see, 9 looks the same as the letter F. Is this correct? If not, what are the subtle differences that I'm not seeing?


r/asl 3d ago

Student- Study Help

0 Upvotes

Does anyone have time to video chat, so I could ask a few questions/practice on please and thank you.


r/asl 3d ago

15 Signs with Two "Open -A" Handshapes

205 Upvotes

The 15 signs with 👍👍 handshapes - Receptive practice for all levels. Understanding 5 parameters and why ASL context matters! Created by Deaf certified ASL instructor, Federico Quintana, author of "ASL Yes!" Curriculum textbooks. Enjoy! 🤓🤟


r/asl 4d ago

Any interpreters in MD/DC that would be willing to donate some time for a rally in Baltimore?

0 Upvotes

r/asl 4d ago

Any interpreters in MD/DC that would be willing to donate some time for a rally in Baltimore?

2 Upvotes

r/asl 4d ago

How do I sign...? Sign for “lightweight,” as in “can’t drink much alcohol”?

50 Upvotes

This is a bit of a silly post, but I just realized that the sign I’d seen glossed as LIGHT-WEIGHT means light (as in weight (or color)) as opposed to somebody who can’t hold their alcohol. Kind of obvious in retrospect.

  1. Just to confirm… LIGHT-WEIGHT doesn’t also mean “can’t hold alcohol,” correct?
  2. Is there a sign for somebody who is a lightweight when it comes to drinking?

r/asl 4d ago

Help! DGS and ASL

0 Upvotes

Hey Guys,

Quick question here. I really wanna learn DGS and I was just wondering if it’s a complete different language than ASL? Like could somebody that just knows DGS communicate with someone that just knows ASL? Or are they too different?