Answers.com
I saw this a while ago, but I want to comment on it. It is so interesting that Answers.com has decided to include American Sign Language as part of its packaged definitions. Aside from offering definitions, encyclopaedic entries, and cross references, they also offer a signed version for hearing people interested in communicating with the Deaf. Here's a sample, for the word afterward.
I was looking up this word because I wondered whether to spell afterwards or afterward.
I learned earlier that there was a difference between upstair and upstairs. The former is an adverb: The latter is a noun, adjective, and adverb. However, upstair is a word used only in Britain. Americans always use upstairs for everything.
But I digress. Now, despite this promising development, hearing people should know that signs can be different depending on which regions you're in. And different sign languages are used outside of the United States.
The signs offered at the MIT can be somewhat regarded as a general American Sign Language dialect that are understood by Deaf people around the US, but like any accent, each region of the US may have a distinct preference for a different sign or a different way of signing above all others. Let the signer beware.
I met an Illinoisan who told me that her way of saying "apple" and "calendar" were different enough to puzzle Californian speakers.
As I always said, "Fascinating."
I was looking up this word because I wondered whether to spell afterwards or afterward.
I learned earlier that there was a difference between upstair and upstairs. The former is an adverb: The latter is a noun, adjective, and adverb. However, upstair is a word used only in Britain. Americans always use upstairs for everything.
But I digress. Now, despite this promising development, hearing people should know that signs can be different depending on which regions you're in. And different sign languages are used outside of the United States.
The signs offered at the MIT can be somewhat regarded as a general American Sign Language dialect that are understood by Deaf people around the US, but like any accent, each region of the US may have a distinct preference for a different sign or a different way of signing above all others. Let the signer beware.
I met an Illinoisan who told me that her way of saying "apple" and "calendar" were different enough to puzzle Californian speakers.
As I always said, "Fascinating."
posted by Alan at June 15, 2005
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