In a message dated 10/10/2012 12:24:41 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, a
psychotherapist writes:
Hi Dr. Bill,
I am a psychotherapist who took ASL for several years
... and now find myself in the position of working with a Deaf
couple, with no interpreter. Obviously this is not an ideal
situation, but lack of finances and such make it the best we can do
right now...
One concept I have not been able to find a sign for is
the idea of "coping with" or "dealing with" an emotion or problem.
We therapists talk a lot about coping skills, but I'm not sure how
to sign about them! Any ideas? I'd love to be able to ask something
like "You got really angry - and then how did you cope with that?"
Thanks for any thoughts you might have...
- Jessica E____
Dear Jessica,
Hello :)
The ways to interpret "cope" or "deal with" are generally as
follows:
1. PATIENCE: Use the
sign for "patience." You could sign. YOU PATIENCE THAT HOW?
2. CONTROL: The sign for
"control" has many meanings, including: "manage, administer, reign,
and handle." The sign for "control" could be used in many
situations similar to the English phrase, "How did you handle that?"
You could sign, "YOU CONTROL THAT HOW?"
3. what-DO: The "what-DO"
sign can be combined with the YOU sign to mean, "What did you do?"
- Cordially,
Dr. Bill
You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com © Dr. William Vicars
