Fingerspelling in different countries. - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**BigE** · 01-25-2007, 05:58 AM

I am a hard of hearing man who uses American Sign Language as well as spoken English. Many people think that there is an International Sign Language. That is not the case. Most countries have their own sign language. Would surprise you if I were to say that ASL is closer to French Sign Language than British Sign Language?

I know most of you will not learn a foreign sign language to impress the rare Deaf person you meet during your travels. It has taken me two years of continuous study of ASL to become somewhat fluent. However, what if you meet a hot stud or chick who happens to be Deaf? Well, I can help you. I found a website that provides the different fingerspelling systems of many countries.

Here ya go:

http://www.michaelszczepanski.de/fastart.htm

Add this to your favorites. You may thank me someday.

**Esterina** · 01-25-2007, 07:14 AM

Who knows what the future holds for us ?! So Thanks for the links !

Does the ASL help you communicating with people around the world, when you travel?

**BigE** · 01-25-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atchoum

Who knows what the future holds for us ?! So Thanks for the links !

Does the ASL help you communicating with people around the world, when you travel?

It does help to a certain point. American Sign Language involves not only hand jestures, but it also involves a veriety of facial expressions and the eyes. It is a very expressive language. My professor told my class that he didn't have a hard time picking up Norwegian Sign Language, even though they have their own vocabulary, syntax, etc. I hope I will be able to meet Deaf and Hard of Hearing people overseas. It should be interesting.

lemlern · 01-25-2007, 10:58 AM

I am not deaf/hard of hearing but I studied ASL for a few years as well as dated a man who is deaf and I think it is the most convenient language! I of course am only mediocre at it and do a lot of pigeon. BSL uses 2 hands for finger spelling, am I correct? I love to hear any info about other country's version of sign! Thanks

**BigE** · 01-25-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemlern

I am not deaf/hard of hearing but I studied ASL for a few years as well as dated a man who is deaf and I think it is the most convenient language! I of course am only mediocre at it and do a lot of pigeon. BSL uses 2 hands for finger spelling, am I correct? I love to hear any info about other country's version of sign! Thanks

BSL and Australian Sign Language both use 2 hands. Very complicated I think. Much easier to use one hand.

**joe7f** · 01-25-2007, 06:35 PM

There are differences in body language even. If you point to a croissant or something and hold up your index finger to indicate you want one, you will probably get two. We count like this 1-indexfinger, 2-middle finger, 3-ring finger, 4-pinky 5-thumb. They count 1-thumb 2-indexfinger 3-middle finger etc..

Feel free to swap the We and They are our European posters (btw, I haven't seen Europeans on here other than the Irish and the Brits, what's up with that?)

--Joey

**BigE** · 01-26-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe7f

There are differences in body language even. If you point to a croissant or something and hold up your index finger to indicate you want one, you will probably get two. We count like this 1-indexfinger, 2-middle finger, 3-ring finger, 4-pinky 5-thumb. They count 1-thumb 2-indexfinger 3-middle finger etc..

Feel free to swap the We and They are our European posters (btw, I haven't seen Europeans on here other than the Irish and the Brits, what's up with that?)

--Joey

Like I said, it is all very complicated.

There are a few continental Europeans on here. I think they are very shy.