What does ASL mean? In simple words, ASL has three meanings.
- ASL or asl (lower case) stands for “American sign language” used for deaf and dumb peoples.
- In the modern age, asl or Asl means age, sex, and location, generally used in chat and text to get information about the person who talks.
- Asl is also used in the written context of “as ■■■■”. For example, if someone annoys you then you could write “you are annoying asl”.
ASL as American sign language:
What is American sign language? Sign language is very common in the USA, UK, and Canada. ASL stands for American sign language is a natural language generally used by deaf or partially deaf peoples in America and anglophone Canada. It is a complete and organized visual language, contains similar linguistic properties as any other spoken language. ASL speaks through body language and facial expression, every gesture possesses its own meaning. Normal peoples also learn this sign language if they have any deaf members in their family, friends, and relative, or it could be learned for educational purposes. ASL is the third most used language in America, closely related to French sign language.
Origin of ASL:
It is an ancient language about 200 years ago, originated in the early 19th century in the ASD (American school for the deaf) in West Hartford. It is an intermix of french sign language and American local language. After introducing it to different schools and organizations, since then it has been using in every school and organization that is specially designed for deaf peoples and children to educate them as normal individuals in society.
Are all sign languages the same?
No language is a universal language except the language of love, different countries have their own sign language such as British sign language (BSL), Chinese sign language (CSL), French sign language (FSL) and so. ASL and FSL are quite similar.
If we specifically talk about ASL (American sign language) then there would be a slight difference in its usage in different parts of the country. Although in America everyone speaks English however, there is still a regional difference such as tone of the words, slang, accent, pronunciation, words delivery and so. ASL is the same as any other spoken language, regional differences exist in terms of sign, slang, pronunciation, and rhythm of singing.
In short, Sign languages are not only different in different countries but also slightly variable in different parts of the country.
How sign language is different from spoken language:
Signs are a part of daily life, we have seen different signs while driving on road, shopping in the mall, or talking to a deaf or dumb person. Sign language is 360 degree opposite to spoken language, normally, we speak through our voice however, in sign language
expressions, hand gestures, and body language is the voice.
Like any other language, sign language contains all the fundamental features with its own rules and regulation. Either it passes a statement or raises a question, there is a certain tone, words, and body language that support word delivery. The same is with sign language, expressions, hand gestures, and body movement supports the signed language delivery. The combination of all these aspects helps to successfully persuade the other person about thoughts, queries, and requirements.
How do children learn ASL (American sign language)?
Like other languages ASL is also a language, then what does ASL mean? Asl is an American sign language used by deaf people to understand number, alphabets, and other. Hence sign language is not easy to learn even for elders than how children learn this language.
It must be challenging for parents if any of their childbirth with a hearing disability however, if they start learning sign language from the early age of their child then it would be easy for a deaf child to learn ASL, also build a bridge of communication between them.
A child of six-month-old starts adopting things including language, this is the age when understanding ability starts developing. One year is the age when a child speaks small words, breaks sentences, they try to persuade elders about needs and wants. After 2 to 2 and half a child speaks clear words and sentences and that’s how a kid develops throughout the spoken sessions.
Does the next question arise if a kid takes 2 to 2 and half years in learning spoken language then how much time does it take to learn sign language?
According to research, learning any kind of language for a newborn child is as effort-full, and time is taken either its ASL or English. It takes the same stages, initially, they can not express themselves properly, however, with time they learn proper facial expressions, hand gestures, and body language.
What if parents are deaf or one of them is deaf?
In this type of case kids easily learn sign language by seeing their parents communicating with each other in daily life. The time duration of learning spoken and ASL language is the same, no difference would have seen throughout the studies.
To sum up, children are like a blank book they easily catch up with whatever is happening in front of them. Like any other language, sign language is as time taking and effort-full for them. It takes the same time duration and stages to learn even if both languages simultaneously.
Some basic ASL:
As describes above, what does ASL mean? ASL contains three meanings among them one is American sign language mostly used by deaf peoples to communicate with each other. ASL has some basic hand gestures used such as if someone wants to ask what is your name then it would show like,
- Express your, point out someone with your finger
- Say name: double-tap by joining the first and second fingers of both hands over each other.
- Express what: move both hands in the way to shows query with expression.
Like this, there is a whole alphabet spelling express through hands. Such as for A make a fist with your hand, for B open your hand and bend tumb inside, for C make a curve with your hand etc.
Here in this picture, you can see the hand gesture that shows all the alphabets.
For A:
For B:
For C:
For D:
For E:
For F:
For G:
For H:
For I:
For J:
For K:
For L:
For M:
For N:
For O:
For P:
For Q:
For R:
For S:
For T:
For U:
For V:
For W:
For X:
For Y:
For Z:
Summary: sign language like ASL is an art, an art to express feelings, emotions, requirements, and love. It is a way of communication for deaf people or people having a poor sense of hearing. It is the second-largest learning language in the United States.
How to learn ASL?
Learning sign language is very important for the deaf community or the people with poor listening ability to communicate with each other or with normal people.
ASL is an American sign language used by deaf people or normal people if they have any deaf family member, friend, or either for teaching purposes. ASL is the 2nd largest speaking language in the united states, with this large number of communicating ways, how to learn this language?
There are some institutes, organizations, and schools that offer ASL courses other than this there are some other ways like personal tuition, online classes, online videos and so. Youtube is considered to be the most high-end free institute through you can learn almost anything either it’s spoken language or sign language. For a learn the are 1000 ways to learning.
Learning sign language by using the app:
When it comes to learning something by heart, there are many ways that open up among them apps are playing a good role in the modern world. Many sign language apps available that help to learn ASL, what your news just download it on your cell phone and open it whenever have time. Here are some names of the sign language apps that can be download on android phones or iPhones.
- The ASL app. iTunes. 3.7 stars (free, in-app purchases)
- Baby sign language dictionary ($2.99) iTunes. 4.6 stars
- Hands-on ASL (free, in-app purchases)
- ASL coach (free, in-app purchases)
- ASL fingerspelling ($ 3.99)
- Marlee signs (free, in-app purchases)
- WeSign basic (free)
Where can I learn ASL for free?
ASL is a beautiful sign language, it is like an art, an art of expressing love, emotions and feeling among whom can’t express through words, can’t hear through ears.
What does ASL mean? ASL is an American sign language as there are many sign languages like BSL, FSL and so.
Youtube is an amazing platform where you can learn for free, however, there are many other online courses available for free where you can go and learn this language.
- Skillshare: American sign language (level 1)
- Udemy: ASL (basic and level 1)
- Gallaudet academy: online ASL courses (Gallaudet university)
- Udemy: ASL expression lesson #1-6
ASL as internet slang:
Above we discussed one aspect of ASL in detail. Now, what does ASL mean? Here is another perspective, a part of ASL as an American sign language, it also used as
ASL as Internet slang.
ASL is an abbreviation of age, sex, and location used in internet chatrooms and other social media platforms to query about the other person’s personal details. Such as type “your ASL?” means asking age, sex, and location in three words is ASL. it is also used as a sexual context.
ASL as ■■■■:
ASL is used as ■■■■ for example:
- He is as annoying asl
- This question is not solving as it is going to be asl (as ■■■■)
Generally, it is used in written form, in chat, or messaging as an abbreviation.
Summary: ASL is used as internet slang in the abbreviation of age, sex, and location and as ■■■■ in chat rooms and messaging. It is like writing less means more.
FAQ’S
The frequently asked question regarding the topic name “what does ASL mean?” is given below.
How long does it take to learn fluent ASL?
ASL is as complicated to learn as any other spoken language. Generally, it takes 2 to 3 years to attain beginner-level fluency. To get more advance in sign language with fluency it ideally takes 2 more years.
Is ASL worth learning?
Yes, absolutely not only for deaf persons but also for normal people. Especially for kids, muscle movement with expressions along with voice come up together and make it easy for kids in learning. In Montessori classes, teachers make the alphabet with hands to that help the kid to relate more with it and encourage quick learning.
How many ASL words are there?
In American sign language, ASL contains 22 finger shapes in a certain position that represents 26 letters of the American alphabet.
What are the three C’s of fingerspelling?
The term used as three C’s are:
- Configuration: it means how fingerspelling words looks like.
- Closure: complete the picture with the parts you have by filling in partial and or missing letters based on the topic or once knowledge of English.
- Context: what comes before and after the finger spelling words.
What is the most commonly used sign language?
Pidgin signed language:
Pidgin signed language (PSE) or signed English is a language that is the most commonly used in the united states of America.
Does Canada use ASL OR BSL?
In Canada, most people use ASL to communicate with deaf people this is because as it becomes a truly continental language.
What does crazy ASL mean?
Crazy ASL means age, sex, and location. It is used in the text as an abbreviation to know the personal information of the 2nd person. It is also used in a sexual or romantic context.
What is the most important part of fingerspelling?
Among three C’s context is the most important part of fingerspelling. If you converse with the other person you must have context in which you talk and spell words through your fingers. It counts as the knowledge of words, the topic of conversation, and the situation.
What does asl stand for on TikTok?
Asl is an abbreviation used in the modern age on social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. It is used in sentences in place of as ■■■■. For example, I am hungry asl (as ■■■■). It is also used as a personal query like age, sex, and gender.
Is there any app that translates sign language?
Google translator, is an app that translates sign language into text speech. You can easily use it as we have google as our browser.
Conclusion:
What does ASL mean? Its answer is a little bit complex in terms of multiple meanings. ASL contains three meanings.
ASL an American sign language used by deaf people to communicate with each other.
ASL as age, sex, and location used as internet slang in chatrooms. When someone writes ASL it means asking about the age, sex, and location of the other person. It is like asking personal questions in small words.
ASL as ■■■■ is also a slang used in place of as ■■■■. For example, he is a bad cook asl (as ■■■■).
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