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gail2

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Anyone have any experience of this/learning it Only reason i ask is that a lady has come into my circle of friends whos deaf and she uses bsl just wanna learn some basics to make her feel more at home
 
A couple of friends learnt it for a few years. They were just interested and used to use just BSL at home for one evening each week in addition to their lessons. They still find it useful in our choir rehearsals to communicate across the hall.
 
gail2 said:
Anyone have any experience of this/learning it Only reason i ask is that a lady has come into my circle of friends whos deaf and she uses bsl just wanna learn some basics to make her feel more at home
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You may find Makaton easier in terms of just picking up a few words - and the chances are your new friend will understand the Makaton signs you're likely to be using with her.
 
Having great fun on youtube with BSL
 
CliffH said:
You may find Makaton easier in terms of just picking up a few words - and the chances are your new friend will understand the Makaton signs you're likely to be using with her.
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They might understand but they might also be a little confused or even a bit offended. They’re two separate languages and Makaton is usually used with children and adults with additional needs. Here’s a statement from Makaton who phrase it better than my clumsy phrasing:

“Makaton and British Sign Language (BSL) are entirely distinct and are used by very different communities of people. The Makaton communication programme, developed over 50 years ago, combines speech, signing, and symbols, specifically aiding those with learning or communication difficulties. It is not a complete, natural language like BSL but rather a supplementary communication system. Makaton has adapted a number of BSL signs but uses them alongside spoken English and symbols in English word order, making it a key communication method for over 100,000 people, primarily those who are hearing but face communication challenges. Makaton is not appropriate for use in interaction with Deaf people as it is not a complete or natural sign language.”
 
Inka said:
They might understand but they might also be a little confused or even a bit offended. They’re two separate languages and Makaton is usually used with children and adults with additional needs. Here’s a statement from Makaton who phrase it better than my clumsy phrasing:

“Makaton and British Sign Language (BSL) are entirely distinct and are used by very different communities of people. The Makaton communication programme, developed over 50 years ago, combines speech, signing, and symbols, specifically aiding those with learning or communication difficulties. It is not a complete, natural language like BSL but rather a supplementary communication system. Makaton has adapted a number of BSL signs but uses them alongside spoken English and symbols in English word order, making it a key communication method for over 100,000 people, primarily those who are hearing but face communication challenges. Makaton is not appropriate for use in interaction with Deaf people as it is not a complete or natural sign language.”
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Thanks dont wanna offend her just communicate with her naturally
 
gail2 said:
thankyou didt think of that
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I would try to ensure that you are watching British sign language, as American sign language (or one from another country) can differ to some extent.

I used to work with a deaf person, and they set up a lunchtime BSL class. I joined it and learnt some stuff. But for me it speeded up / got more fluent a bit too quickly and I found it more difficult to try follow along - I kinda dropped out then.
 
guess who can now curse/swear in BSL 😎
 
gail2 said:
guess who can now curse/swear in BSL 😎
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I did an accredited BSL course several years ago with a friend. We both worked in a bank a had a few deaf and hearing impaired customers. It was an evening course at the local college. We practised at work and it helped keep up our fluency We also learned some swear words and slang. Really enjoyed it at the time but can barely sign now since I left the bank and lost the opportunity to use it. Good luck and have fun signing with your friend.
 
gail2 said:
Thanks dont wanna offend her just communicate with her naturally
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Yes I have qualifications for signalong, which is similar to Makaton and our teacher told us never to use it with deaf people, as many find it offensive.
 
Saw my new friend lets call her Ann had a try out of my limited BSL and she was very kind to me and has taught me a lot. Shes going to meet me on Saturday to learn me more as we are meeting for a coffee and a good old natter I feel the start of a good friendship beginning. Will let u know how it goes
 
silver minion said:
I did an accredited BSL course several years ago with a friend. We both worked in a bank a had a few deaf and hearing impaired customers. It was an evening course at the local college. We practised at work and it helped keep up our fluency We also learned some swear words and slang. Really enjoyed it at the time but can barely sign now since I left the bank and lost the opportunity to use it. Good luck and have fun signing with your friend.
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Great to hear that banks offered that to people.I think some retailers will sponsor training for staff too so that there is someone in a store who can sign if needed
 
UPDATE im now very good at BSL can hold my own in a conversation and even beginning to follow the deaf zone on tv As for my friend Ann not her real name she's teaching me a few things and pointing out when i go wrong 😱
 
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