Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Introduction to Sign Language!

First off, this class focuses more on the linguistics of sign language rather than being a pure language-based class. The main reason for this is that there are so many different varieties of sign languages out there, so I felt that it wouldn't really be easy to choose just one of these to focus on. I'm more familiar with American Sign Language and French Sign Language, and with HOLers coming from a diverse range of countries, I thought it would be better to help give you an understanding of how sign languages function and hopefully give you a good starting point to learn your own country's sign language.

I am profoundly Deaf, which means I have no natural hearing. I wear hearing aids to help me balance and orient myself. I use ASL (American Sign Language) as my primary communication method. I am very glad to have the opportunity to take over this class from Amy Lupin.

Should you have any queries, feel free to send an email to hol.signlanguage@gmail.com.

Hope you have a great term!

alt=“Illustration shows a man signing ‘good luck’ in New Zealand Sign Language. The index finger of his right hand is pointed towards his nose. The thumb is extended while the other fingers are curled backwards. Juxtaposed on the illustration is an arrow pointing downwards, indicating that the right hand moves downwards, with an illustration of the hand again with the index finger curled backwards along with the other fingers.”