The Love of ASL

Means, I love you.

My love for ASL (American Sign Language) comes from something deep within me. ASL is unique in my eyes because it is not a language that is spoken but a language that is expressed. Naturally we express ourselves in the tones of our voice and body language. However, ASL is strictly expressed without a voice, something that is told through hands, body language and facial expression. Yes, people do these things everyday but who really pays attention to it? If people payed attention to body language more than just someones voice then they would have better communication skills in my opinion. We tend to make our voice sound appropriate but ignore what our body language is saying, what we truly want to say. So this is why I feel ASL is unique.

ASL is always underestimated by people thinking it is an easy language because its just talking with their hands. Not the case at all because facial expression and body language can change the meaning of what you are signing instantly. Something to remember when learning something new, you don't have all the answers, so don't act like it

If you haven't noticed I am weird and like to think I myself am unique because my style it weird, different, and never the same as most people. (Meaning ASL is seen as weird/different) Oddly that is not how I fell in love with ASL, I didn't choose ASL but it chose me. I was 13 years old and taking the bus from La Puente to LA by myself back and forth to school. When one day I saw college kids signing on the bus but at the time I had no idea what they were doing. I didn't know much about deaf people only that there was deaf people, and that was only do to a movie I saw with my mother about a woman struggling to communicate with her son that was deaf. Even then I thought of it as a rare medical problem because is was implied as such. When I saw them I didn't want stare but I was curious so I glanced here and there. The next day I saw my grandpa and he told me it was ASL and that is how deaf people communicate. I was intrigued so I asked to be taken to the library got a book on ASL and taught myself the ABC's.

When I mentioned it to friends they sort of blew it off so I never had anyone interested in signing w/ me but I kept the ABC's w/ me always. Not 24/7 but when I took ASL 1 at Mt.Sac I was familiar with the ABC's well enough to be excited for more!

My sign name

Why am telling you about this ASL love of mine? Well for one this is my world of thoughts and passions. One of my passions is ASL and I realized I have never expressed that before. And second I want to do my part in bringing awareness about the deaf culture starting with ASL and let you know that you are hearing. Think about it when was the first time you realized you were hearing? I was 13 years old, that day on the bus opened my eyes. I am just trying to open yours.

Means, Support.

As the bottom fist pushes the top fist up. I see I will support that idea, decision... I will help you through it, I have your back and I will be there for you. Such a powerful painting.