The Challenge of Learning ASL from Short-form Media:


Brief video clips are popular.
Learning sign language from short-form media in which people post signs with labels is sometimes troublesome because such posts often do not include language usage notes, explanations, or helpful information such as:

This sign is:
1. regional / not used everywhere / not recognized in many regions
2. considered "older" or "incorrect" by some signers
3. conflicts with other (much more common) meanings
4. likely to induce long lively discussions

If you are using short-form instruction (or any form of superficial instruction) I encourage you to not start thinking that you now know "the" sign for a concept when in reality you may know "a" sign for that concept and be aware that the particular version you learned might be counter productive for your personal situation.  For example, after having seen some random post online -- that sign might be marked wrong on an expressive test by an instructor who may not know the "less common" sign if it is a variation used in some other region but not the local region.
 



 

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