ASL Fonts, Success!

Unfortunately, learning how to use all this Internet technology – widgets, website design, etc, has been a slow process for me. But I’m learning.Today I successfully installed two ASL fonts onto my computer! The first is, of course, the Gallaudet TT (True Type) font. The second was generously offered free for non-commercial use by Joachim Lapiak, of Lapiak Design. I discovered its existence through a Computer, ISP, & Programming thread on alldeaf.com’s web-forum. It feels like Christmas.What does it look like you ask? Well, here is my name in Lapiak ASL Regular and Bold (Ed. I am now aware that these fonts don’t show up on a Mac! I’m working on fixing that. I’m not all that techno savvy.) :

Jessica Jessica  

 

It took me a while to figure out how to open it in my computer, since I’ve been a mac person for several years and I don’t really know how my PC works. Anyway, I can now use it in Word documents. We’ll see if I figure out how to use it anywhere else. If anyone is interested in what the problem was and how I fixed it, I’ll gladly elaborate. In other news, last night I learned 50 new signs related to computer technology thanks to the American Sign Language Library of sign videos at needsoutreach.org. My favorite of these signs is debug.

I can’t believe I never knew about this

In the eight or so years that I have been studying ASL, the changes in technology and computers have amazed me. There are so many more resources available, and they are much easier to find, than I when I started. I am constantly amazed – I feel like I’ve just woken from a long sleep. And so, I now expose my naivete. I had no idea that this beautiful, glossy magazine existed:

 

How cool is that? As an aspiring interpreter I’m ashamed of myself. But at least I’m making an effort. I’m attending my first ASL club in years this Sunday and now I will be up to date with Deaf news. I wonder if my computer will ever be new enough to support VR (Video relay)?

Braille as an analogy to Sign Language

Click this link to read an interesting article about the decline of braille literacy as blind students are increasingly being taught in mainstream schools and given less instruction in and time to practice reading and writing in braille.

Proponents Say the Decline in Braille Instruction Is leading to Illiteracy

While oralism has worked for some people, such as Bonnie Poitras Tucker, who became a Professor of Law at Arizona State University College of Law and wrote a book about it (The Feel of Silence), it is a failure for many. Some people view debates about whether to raise a child with ASL in the same way. By denying deaf children a natural language early in life, are we taking away their potential to be fully literate? I would argue that one difference between these two situations is that blind people who cannot read braille but may listen to television, radio, and books on tape are not denied cultural literacy (of the dominant culture) while deaf people without access to a viable mode of communication are. I haven’t gathered any evidence to back this idea up at the moment, but it’s something to think about. What do you think? 

Hello world!

I’m starting a new blog to integrate my current consuming passions under one domain. I am mad about ASL (American Sign Language) and I long to be an Interpreter of Sign Language. Someday I will achieve my goal! Eventually, I might shunt some content from this site to other blogs or websites as my content grows. Initially, however, I will talk about such things as ASL, my obsession with YA (young adult) fiction, my struggle to learn to enjoy cooking as much as my husband does, my dog, my desire to keep a clean house, self-development, how to beat depression… and on and on. Mostly, I will try to keep my content oriented to all things D/deaf. 

I want to create a space for beginning interpreters to share ideas and experiences with each other. I have been searching the internet for a place to meet other new interpreters and it is seriously lacking! I want people come here to share their thoughts on cochlear implants, mainstreaming, and teaching sign language to hearing babies. I want people to share their thoughts on hearing people taking advantage of deaf people. I want to share links to art and poetry from Deaf people as well as links to amazing Vlogs in ASL, which I will sometimes attempt to translate. So, as you can see, I welcome D/deaf people to check out my site too. I plan to build my profession (interpreting) around providing a communication interface between deaf and hearing people and I consider all of your input to be invaluable. 

I am a beginner. Teach me.