Signed English Video Material
Modern Signs Press has a CD-ROM version of its "Signing Exact English" dictionary. Likewise, Gallaudet University Press offers the Signed English Starter book (]compare prices) and videotape series. In addition, several children's videotapes of stories and educational themes were released by Modern Signs Press:- Visual Tales Series - A series of signed versions of classic children's stories.
- School Zone Series - A series of educational videos focused on topics such as colors or animals.
- Funtime Kids Videos - More classic and some not so classic, children's stories.
- Rather Strange Stories - These intermediate level videotapes each focus on the vocabulary associated with a topic, e.g. the Body and Health.
About Visitors on Signed English
ASL is a road block because it makes it difficult to communicate with those using ENGLISH. That is why Signed Exact English is becoming more popular. Why force ASL on people when the whole idea is to be better able to communicate with the others--deaf or non-deaf? Signed Exact English just makes more sense, than a completely different language like ASL. I am the mother of a nearly 7 year old boy who was more likely than not born deaf.We did not know this until he was 22 months. He has profound bilateral hearing loss. Within a month of diagnosis, if not before, we had digital hearing aids for our son. Then we had to make the decision on how to communicate.
I am not really sure how we became aware of SEE, but it made sense to me. Talk in English, read in English, write in English.....this makes sense to me. I also was told that it made a difference in the educational setting in that my son would already know English syntax and order when it came time to compose his own writings.
We have used SEE sign this entire time. My son was implanted with a cochlear implant about 1 1/2 years ago. We still sign and he still loves his language. In fact, he will try to look up words for me in the dictionary. True we may never know all the signs for all the words, but do you know all the words for the hearing world?
My son is reading his Dr. Seuss books on his own, we communicate effectively, passoniately and with inflection. To hear others say that you cannot talk and sign effectively in a total communication setting has never really been immersed in that setting. When I am mad at Sean I can sign and talk simultaneously. When I want to express other emotions it comes out in my sign and my voice.
SEE sign has worked for us and for the most part been easy to learn. We already knew English so it made sense for us to learn how to add our hands to the conversation.
I recommend SEE sign to others who want to learn sign language as a second language. The history of SEE is never really talked about. It was developed by two women, one deaf, one the children of deaf parents. At its very core it is ASL, however, signs have been initialized or enhanced to allow for the signing of all words and past tense, etc. For example, ASL may have one sign that means happy and joy; SEE sign has a sign for both. Very similar signs movement yet two different signs.
I hope this helps give some insight. While it may be a bit rough around the edges since I am at work right now, I hope that the message that I believe in SEE sign is clear.
