Mexican Sign Language: Lenguaje de Signos Mexicano:
How do you fingerspell the "ñ" (tilde n) character?
----- Original Message
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Subject: ASL: The Spanish "ñ"
In a message dated 5/25/2007 1:23:38 PM Pacific Daylight Time, texmex@ writes:
Buenos Dias Dr. Bill,
My name is George Macias in English and Jorge Macías Azcárate in Spanish. My wife and I are new to Sign
Language. We're still "babies"so to speak. We started signing 6 months ago and we love it.
My question is:
How would one sign the Spanish letter "ñ"? That letter appears in many forms in English text and does
crossover to Sign Language. For example; the phenomenon call "El Niño" and the related
"La Niña." We have a city in California named "Los Baños." There are many Spanish surnames that if
spelled-out would require an "ñ" like Nuñez, Ibañez, etc.
--
Jorge Macías Azcárate
(916) 212-8520
Jorge,
I don't know the sign
for ñ. But why don't you try asking a contact of mine down in Mexico:
Robin DeLaRosa
Apartado 640
Cabo San Lucas, BCS
CP 23450 Mexico
jsfreaky@
Robin knows MSL and some native MSL users who might have a sign you could use. If you find out a good sign for
ñ, please do let me know.
Cordially,
Bill Vicars
From: "Jorge Macias" <texmex@>
To: <jsfreaky@> Cc: <billvicars@>
Subject: The Spanish "ñ" Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 20:48:18 -0700
Estimado Señor De La Rosa,
Estoy en busca de un solución a lo que ha surgido aquí en California debido a que más y más Latinos estamos
aprediendo "American Sign Language." El suscrito explica lo que busco. Por favor contesteme con su opinión. Se
lo agradeceré.
Jorge Macías Azcárate
(916) 212-8520
In a message dated 6/1/2007 1:13:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time, robindelarosa@ writes:
Saludos de Tejas Señor Macias y
Señor Vicars,
Voy a escribir en inglés, el lenguaje común de todos. Espero que estará bien.
Throughout Baja
California, Mexico the "ñ" (tilde n) is signed by ASL users with the MSL/LSM sign. The LSM sign is typically used
for any letter or accented letter specific to the Spanish language. Attached is a two page PDF document of the
LSM alphabet.
The LSM "n" is the same as the ASL "n" although it is more common to see the index and middle fingers pointing
straight forward/out in LSM. To sign "ñ", make the ASL sign for the letter "n" and while maintaining that sign you
would draw the "~" (tilde) with your index and middle finger.
Accented letters/vowels are signed in ASL (which the ASL & LSM vowels are the virtually the same...I have seen "y"
signed slightly different at times but I don't believe it is ever accented in Spanish) with a turn/flick of the
wrist. The turn/flick is almost the same motion as with the tilde but without the rolling motion as if you were
trying to remove something from your hand.
I hope this is helpful. Another avenue of information would be the Riverside School for the Deaf in California.
I remember meeting a teacher from there that knew some Spanish that I believe was taught
there at the school. In any case, if you see something different, I would appreciate your sharing of the
information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Best Wishes,
Robin DeLaRosa
4148 Shadow Gables Drive
Dallas, TX 75287
972.248.8575
jsfreaky@
p.s. Bill, as you can see have moved to Texas. I hope to start the interpreters program at Collin County
Community College in the fall. We will be here for approximately five years (my husband is working on
his masters). We hope to return to Mexico when he is finished.
Hi Robin,
Thanks for the great information regarding "Lenguaje de signos mexicano!"
I appreciate it!
--Bill
Saludos Bill!
Here are the two sources for Mexican Sign Language that I have found to be the best:
VHS & book: http://www.missionsociety.us/signlanguagebooksandtapes.html
DVD & VHS by Ronald Henson: http://www.silentwordministries.org/cart/video.htm
Both are done in English and Spanish. The Ronald Henson videos are more complete but a little slow moving, in my
opinion.
I DON'T recommend the MSL/ASL translator cd by IDRT. Very incomplete and several Hispanic deaf have laughed at
some of their signs.
Mexico's Department of Education (SEP) had produced a series of booklets but they have been difficult to get a
hold of. The Chandler's best bet is to go to the local special ed school in Mexico and see what someone there has
and ask to photocopy it. Chances are a teacher has a photocopy of a photocopy etc......
Hope this helps!
- Robin
Hello Robin,
Great to hear from you!
Thanks for the information regarding MSL resources!
I'll be posting it in an upcoming newsletter (I already have a couple months in the pipeline, but it will show up
eventually). :)
Plus I'm going to set up a page over at Lifeprint.com in the Library titled Mexican Sign Language and put an
edited version over there.
Thanks!
Bill
In a message dated 1/1/2015 11:24:59 A.M. Pacific Standard
Time, mopaigeblue@yahoo.com writes:
Hi! ...
I am 22 and this is my fourth year living in Mexico. While in
High school, because of flunking out of Spanish, I took ASL for
3 years and my teacher shared her passion, love and experience
with ASL and working and living among the Deaf community in
Southern California. Well, after graduating I felt pulled to
Mexico where I learned MSL at a school for the deaf and ended up
teaching Mexican deaf kiddos... I had NO idea how to teach
hearing or the deaf... these kids didn't have any form of
communication, some teens came with 18 years and nothing. How
amazing to see them understand and communicate with Sign. It was
awesome.
Now, funny how I ended up learning and using Spanish everyday. I
have moved further south in Mexico and I am living in a city
among many deaf people. There are the deaf that still do not
communicate, know their names, nothing and then there are others
that have learned MSL and are in schools with teachers that are
Deaf.
Seeing all that you've done I am encouraged. There are not many
materials here in Mexico and what there is is dated. Well I have
been teaching classes along the way but now have decided to go
all in... I am nervous excited. I am no "teacher" but I have the
love for these people hearing and deaf to communicate with sign
language. I have a MSL book and some materials. Anyways, thanks
so much. Its a bit overwhelming but also exciting. I gotta start
somewhere...
From Moriah McLeod
Queretaro, Mexico
Moriah,
It is indeed interesting the twists and turns our lives take as
we move from one stage to another.
I wish you the absolute best in all you do.
- Dr. Bill
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