So Far
It's been a bit since I last checked in about learning ASL. Life's been hectic!
So, what have I been up to with learning ASL? Over the last three years, I've been teaching myself a lot. I've also been lucky to learn from actual Deaf people through classes or just by making friends.
What's it like teaching myself? And what about the future?
Well, it's been quite the ride. There have been good times and tough times with ASL, but I don't regret any of it. Learning any language, you'll have moments where you wonder if you're getting it right or if you'll ever be fluent. With ASL, I've found that it's all about understanding each other, plain and simple. You're going to make mistakes, and that's okay.
What I've realized is that it's normal to sometimes feel stuck, like you're not getting past the basics – that's how self-taught journeys can feel. But using ASL, like any complex language, is never going to be super easy.
Even people who have been signing for years don't know everything. Think about it, if you speak English, do you know every single word? Probably not, and it's the same with ASL.
So, where am I now in my learning? I'm getting better, not just at signing, but at finding ways to keep improving. That's part of why I decided to go back to college. It's a place to learn more and get better at signing.
I've recently discovered that I have ADHD. For 24 years I've been thinking that my actions, behavior, and the way I think and do things is just "normal" and that everybody does it the way I do. Boy, was I wrong. After discovering that I have ADHD, a coworker of mine recommended something called Vocational Rehabilitation. It's a division in the government that allows for people with disabilities to seek and pursue their career choice and help people get jobs. Fortunately for me, they work with ASL Interpreters directly and will help fund me for my entire college degree.
I'm super nervous about starting college again, as the last I did this I dropped out due to having no time to do what I want and I didn't even know what I wanted to do.
Anyways, I know this post isn't as long as the previous one, but that's all I got so far on my mind. My next entries will be anything related to what I've learned in ASL and anything I learn when I start my courses.
Bye for now :)