Gallaudet university, city of American Sign Language and Deaf culture (video in ASL w/ captions)

www.fluentin3months.com/gallaudet
[This video has no sound. If you don't understand ASL, activate closed captions in English, by clicking CC in the bottom of the video]
After learning a little American Sign Language, I spent some time at Gallaudet university and was amazed to see how strong Deaf culture was there. In fact, I did absolutely everything (including buying a pizza, asking for directions, shopping) entirely using sign language once within the university campus. To me, it really is the "city of American Sign Language" and Deaf culture.
In this video, you can see me interview those who work at the university or study there, so that the hearing world can understand more about this university and Deaf culture.

[@sarahmagradcsulb]

I'm an ASL/English interpreter who has followed your videos for quite some time- I am so thrilled that you decided to give ASL a shot; it's really a beautiful language. You're doing a great job with it. Keep it up, Benny!!!

[@AndyRiot]

This is the most useful ASL video I've come across on KZbin. The fact that you're signing in real time, in-context, with interesting people, in a real life situation really helped me as a learner. Also, I can really relate to you. I took 3 ASL courses at the Mackay Center in Montreal (Quebec). Big ups to Jack and Patty :) I agree that signing is the best form of expression. I find it emotionally honest b/c signers HAVE to use facial expressions... Signers don't hide behind words. THANKS :D

[@msfanatic5]

Wow, this video was so cool! I had no idea that there are different versions of sign language around the world and how different the ASL community is from what I'm normally used to. I learned a lot from this. Thanks for posting this video! (:

[@rubyjc70]

I needed the captions to be on but was surprised I could understand the gist of what was being signed! I took about a semester of ASL last fall but haven't practiced it at all since then. Cool video! Thanks for sharing.

[@mayishi]

Wonderful video! My aunt works at Gallaudet. I stayed with her for a few months and loved every moment on campus. I really miss the people and atmosphere.

[@Fletchz]

It was weird to watch a video without sound. I felt like that I need to put some music but I managed to watch until end without any background sounds. Good and interesting video.

[@goulo]

That was unusually cool and interesting indeed!

[@Liface]

Benny, this is one of your coolest videos. I have never sat down and watched a video where some speaks sign language, much less a "non-native speaker". I think it's a beautiful language filled with so much expression.

[@Claire13C]

Great video! I learned a lot more about the ASL community. Thanks for introducing us to these interesting people, Benny!

[@Anonymous-bx9xt]

He's not even close to fluent but he is very good for only 3 months of ASL.

[@NicolePetrucci]

Thanks for the video, Benny! I was fluent in ASL in college but have let it lapse. This video reminded me how much I remember and how much I love to sign. I have been concentrating on learning a new language but now I realize that I should also dust off a language I already know.

[@MarekZeman91]

It's first time I watched a whole video about Sign Lang. And it inspire me to learn our Czech Sign Language, I'll try :) Good job friend, hodně štěstí. ... AWKWARD ... yep, this word is really cool :D

[@IdiomaSprachler]

It's so nice to finally see another polyglot learning ASL ~ I thought I was the only one! Your progress is amazing; I hope you keep it up :D

[@JaimewissnerCreate]

One thing to point out about the visual side of ASL. Alot of words that are no longer visual evolved to be how they are now from visual signs. For example, "where". It doesn't seem like a visual representation of where, however, it was originally supposed to represent pointing to different places on a map. Eventually, it condensed down to the little finger wiggle it is now.

[@GriLtCheeZ]

Good stuff Benny!

[@susaneckert7421]

Fun vid to watch... thank for sharing...

[@ahnmichael1484]

It's great to see one of the more prominent polyglots taking an interest in sign language as well as spoken language. Oftentimes, as was said in the video, people fail to acknowledge sign language as a legitimate language in its own right. They don't understand that it's not just "English (or any other spoken language) on the hands", but videos like these help bring that understanding into our awareness as a global community. Thank you, and keep up the great work!

[@lynleigheccles3156]

I realllyyy want to learn ASL!

[@yourmomwards1951]

Julianna looks thrilled.

[@ksacha77]

Ahh. Thank you for the feedback. We'll have to experiment with some alternate locations.

[@ThisIsNoise17]

Amazing video. And a strange one. To be honest, I don't like ASL aesthetically. But it's really a great language. I'm definitely adding it to my list of languages to learn before I finish college.

[@virgilioravino1186]

I remembered Amslan-Philslan not Pilipino because i listened my teacher hearing in subjects class when i finished my graduate from the Philippine School for the Deaf, Pasay City Philippines. I saw first time to learn slow Filipino Sign Language not well but story in Signing Exact English clear.

[@virgilioravino1186]

So I eager more learning deaf ASL meaning but deep don't know about that you 're good,Benny.Somethings i search other deaf video in KZbin..

[@irishpolyglot]

The quality of the call doesn't depend on the software, but on the quality of the call. One of you needs to try another connection to improve the speed - maybe moving to an Internet café or someone else's house. I had choppy ASL calls sometimes while travelling in China, which made it really hard to get a lesson from my teacher, but in places with good connectivity there was no problem.

[@ksacha77]

Great video Benny. I'm so glad you're learning ASL. It was my first foreign language. I have a technical question. Is it difficult to practice ASL over Skype? When I Skype with my in-laws in Australia, it seems very choppy, but I have really been needing an ASL practice partner and Skype would be easiest. Do you know if there is other technology that might be higher quality? Thanks!

[@TheSterlingJOe]

Benny, I am curious who gave your name sign. Can you explain the meaning of your name sign?

[@irishpolyglot]

Late answer, but when I was living in Austin, TX, I had a teacher I'd see very regularly for my lessons. She gave me my name based on merging the signs for "computer" (Texas version, a C rubbed up and down the arm) and Ireland, since I was an Irish computer geek, given how I'd talk about my blog and working online a lot in our lessons. She gave me my name in our very last lesson, and I think back on getting it very fondly!!

[@Mecklybver]

great vid. I was wondering why you picked ASL instead of Irish Sign Language. Now I know why ASL is the deaf lingua franca. right? You are very inspiring to me.

[@IIoveasl10]

You have a sign for "wait", or you can do like speaking persons, but instead of interrupting with your voice, you start signing while they are signing...at least, that's the way I learnt it, and do it.

[@cheesejkliop]

Reading, to see mouth movements, and some people are simply hearing impaired. If they want to work or study or whatever, I'm sure they still have to read/textbooks/etc. Like if they want to go on the Internet or watch a movie/TV with subtitles/captions, it might be a little easier if you can read and write English. Or perhaps you're with someone who knows not Sign Language, making writing it out the best option. This is my explanation. If somebody else has something to add, please do ^^

[@virgilioravino1186]

Hey! Benny Lewis, Wow! i see that is good. You learn American Sign Language at Deaf of Gallaudet University U.S. A but I just watch this video about your sign is fine okay. I am deaf there is me from Philippines.So Nice Day! Then I understand American Sign Language clear right! I am Signing Exact English and Philippine Sign Language. My kind of Languages are English and Tagalog but I know some little Filipino Sign Language normal fine.

[@animegirl506]

so do both deaf and hearing people go to the school? And do they learn English to understand mouth movements or is it something different?

[@irishpolyglot]

They learn multiple subjects, just that the teaching is generally through sign language. Although hearing people will also attend, generally to become interpreters.

[@Deaf70ful]

Спасибо за просмотра. Приезжайте в Россию изучите на русском жестовом языке.

[@Bobzilla8735]

Do you interrupt someone speaking English by putting your hand over their mouth?

[@DeafArtist1]

Check youtube ( Jerry Jr Deaf Show )