What If I'm Left-Handed?
Many ASL users are left-handed.
If you are left-handed, your left hand becomes your dominant hand when signing. The same ASL rules apply regardless of which hand is dominant.
What Are Name Signs?
Name signs are part of Deaf culture and are used to identify individuals.
Name signs are typically given by members of the Deaf community rather than chosen by the individual receiving the sign.
When meeting someone for the first time, it is still appropriate to introduce yourself by signing or fingerspelling your full name.
How Can I Meet Deaf People?
One of the best ways to become involved in the Deaf community is by attending Deaf events.
You can visit our Deaf Events page here: http://events.startasl.com for events and other resources for meeting Deaf people or fellow signers.
You can also look for:
Deaf community organizations
Schools for the Deaf
ASL meetup groups
Community college ASL programs
Building genuine relationships and participating respectfully in the community are important parts of learning ASL.
We go into more detail about this in Don't Just "Sign"... Communicate!: A Student's Guide to ASL and the Deaf Community. In that book, we share 20 ways to meet deaf people.
Can I Learn ASL In Person?
Yes.
Many colleges, universities, community organizations, and Schools for the Deaf offer ASL classes.
If in-person classes are not available in your area, Start ASL also offers flexible online learning options.