Regional Differences in ASL?

by Alina

Hello!
I love your site!
I just had a question on what type of ASL your site is, because I have a friend that has ASL as her 1st language (she is hearing). When I showed her the sign that I saw on your site as French, she said it meant Forever. What does this mean?

~Alina

Answer:

Hi Alina,

Thank you for your kind comments about my site! :)

My site is for American Sign Language. If your friend is from another country, she could be using another sign language, or if she is in the US, the sign she uses might be a regional difference. Some signs differ from region to region, and sometimes even state to state.

Here is the sign for forever from another ASL dictionary:

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/FOREVER/774/1

Here is the sign for French from another ASL dictionary:

http://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/FRENCH/737/1

They are the same as on my site.

Let me know if you need any more help!

God bless,

Michelle Jay

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Regional Differences in ASL?

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Dec 08, 2009
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You should be fine.
by: Michelle Jay - Webmaster

Hi Alina,

No, regional differences shouldn't cause too much of a problem. The sign language doesn't vary that much. It's still ASL--they just may sign a few signs differently. You can normally tell what they're trying to say by the context.

The only issue you would have is going to another country. In another country, they use a whole different sign language. For example, French Sign Language, British Sign Language, etc.

God bless,

Michelle Jay

Dec 08, 2009
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Thank you!
by: Alina

Thank You!
I was just wondering if the region to region difference could cause problems when talking to a deaf person. I'm from Colorado. If I talk to someone from Texas do I need to learn the Texas sign language? Or would we understand each other?

~Alina