From what I understand of how brains work, one of the best things you can do for your brain is to study ASL.
If I had my way, all children who could would be raised multilingual with whatever languages they learn now + ASL.
It's even usable by the blind with only minor adaptions. The deafblind use ASL signed into their hand to communicate and Braille to read and write. Although I admit it's harder for the blind to use ASL, and I'd be okay with blind kids not learning ASL as they have to put some extra time into learning both regular spelling and Braille spelling, plus learning to use adaptive tech.
But seriously, ASL is great for people. I wish I knew it. I only know a few words of it. But if we spread it throughout our population we would reap so many benefits. Fewer people unable to communicate due to strokes, babies able to say what they wanted at a younger age, and just general better understanding of language and communication. The benefits of knowing both an auditory and a visual language are huge. It puts communication into two parts of the brain (more or less, it's complicated). Plus, deafness would be only a really minor disability.
From what I understand of how brains work, one of the best things you can do for your brain is to study ASL.
If I had my way, all children who could would be raised multilingual with whatever languages they learn now + ASL.
It's even usable by the blind with only minor adaptions. The deafblind use ASL signed into their hand to communicate and Braille to read and write. Although I admit it's harder for the blind to use ASL, and I'd be okay with blind kids not learning ASL as they have to put some extra time into learning both regular spelling and Braille spelling, plus learning to use adaptive tech.
But seriously, ASL is great for people. I wish I knew it. I only know a few words of it. But if we spread it throughout our population we would reap so many benefits. Fewer people unable to communicate due to strokes, babies able to say what they wanted at a younger age, and just general better understanding of language and communication. The benefits of knowing both an auditory and a visual language are huge. It puts communication into two parts of the brain (more or less, it's complicated). Plus, deafness would be only a really minor disability.
no subject
*nod*
no subject
If I had my way, all children who could would be raised multilingual with whatever languages they learn now + ASL.
It's even usable by the blind with only minor adaptions. The deafblind use ASL signed into their hand to communicate and Braille to read and write. Although I admit it's harder for the blind to use ASL, and I'd be okay with blind kids not learning ASL as they have to put some extra time into learning both regular spelling and Braille spelling, plus learning to use adaptive tech.
But seriously, ASL is great for people. I wish I knew it. I only know a few words of it. But if we spread it throughout our population we would reap so many benefits. Fewer people unable to communicate due to strokes, babies able to say what they wanted at a younger age, and just general better understanding of language and communication. The benefits of knowing both an auditory and a visual language are huge. It puts communication into two parts of the brain (more or less, it's complicated). Plus, deafness would be only a really minor disability.
no subject
*nod*
no subject
If I had my way, all children who could would be raised multilingual with whatever languages they learn now + ASL.
It's even usable by the blind with only minor adaptions. The deafblind use ASL signed into their hand to communicate and Braille to read and write. Although I admit it's harder for the blind to use ASL, and I'd be okay with blind kids not learning ASL as they have to put some extra time into learning both regular spelling and Braille spelling, plus learning to use adaptive tech.
But seriously, ASL is great for people. I wish I knew it. I only know a few words of it. But if we spread it throughout our population we would reap so many benefits. Fewer people unable to communicate due to strokes, babies able to say what they wanted at a younger age, and just general better understanding of language and communication. The benefits of knowing both an auditory and a visual language are huge. It puts communication into two parts of the brain (more or less, it's complicated). Plus, deafness would be only a really minor disability.