Sign Language

Did you know that South African Sign Language (SASL) is a fully formed, proper language? Yip, you’ve got it, a language with a history, a linguistic structure and rules, a language that changes over time and has different dialects in different areas… a language just like English, Afrikaans, Dutch or any other spoken language. Sign Language is actually, in my opinion, the most underrated language in the world!

Open your eyes… take a look… I mean a real look… there are Deaf people all around, in every walk of life. Why not learn their language? Being able to Sign (communicate using Sign Language) means you can have Deaf friends, help a Deaf person be understood by people who don’t understand Sign Language, become an interpreter, (yes, this is a real carreer!) communicate with other hearing friends in loud places, chat with your mouth full of food!!… the list goes on…  The possibilities are endless when you have an extra language under your belt!

From a more scientific point of view, studies show that if children learn Sign Language before they learn to speak, they will be communicating long before they would’ve had they only been taught a spoken language! This means that baby has much lower stress levels, and fewer tantrums, as he doesn’t struggle as much to be understood! Studies also show that learning Sign Language doesn’t inhibit spoken language, in fact, it helps it! The connections, or sinapses that are formed in the brain when a visual language is learnt, are the same as those formed when a spoken language is learnt. This means that once you’ve learnt one language as a foundation, other languages will come more easily!

Of course, the best time for language learning is from birth to 3 years old… but that doesn’t stop you and your friends and family from learning SASL today!!

Each class is tailor made for you, what you’d like to get out of it, and what you already know. It is better to come with a group, but if you don’t know anyone else who would like to come, we can put a group together for you! (note to self: this is also a great way to meet new people!!)

There’s also an interpreter’s class for beginner interpreters. This will help you learn the basics of interpreting before you stand in front of thousands and make your mark on history.

Sign Language classes are theme based, so they help you learn the signs for words that make sense in a context, like cooking words… we’ll actually cook up a storm while you learn how to communicate about it in SASL! You may even meet Deaf people during this course, who’ll teach you so much more about life in Deaf Culture… yes, the Deaf have their own culture, rich with history, experience, politics and so much more.

Classes are also offered to schools who would like their learners to gain this exciting social and linguistic tool, and to businesses who would like to empower employees to communicate with Deaf customers or colleagues!!

I know you’re intrigued… Come on, give me an email or call and set up a class today!

Classes available for adults, children, beginner interpreters and we are in the process of setting up a baby sign class!

So what are you waiting for? Get signing!  Contact me.

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