ASL Lessons with Mermaid Lotus! [Archive]

Lotus the Mermaid

07-11-2015, 04:31 PM

I've decided to start doing some American Sign Language video lessons for anyone interested! I'll be uploading these videos whenever I have time, and if you have some vocabulary words you'd like to learn, please let me know and I'll include them in an upcoming video! I hope you enjoy my VERY FIRST lesson! The ABC's and 123's! :dance:

Edit: Make sure to turn on the Closed Captioning!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyOOpmVgK0Q

P.S. I decided to fingerspell my full name, to encourage you all to practice doing the same! I may re-upload a video later with my mermaid name in the intro instead! I hope it's helpful!

Mermaid Harmony

07-11-2015, 05:43 PM

I love ASL! I used to be semi fluent, and then my friends moved away that signed with me, and now I'm back at basics again, I need to hop back on the bandwagon. I'm really excited to meet arion and maybe I'll pick it up again. :-) Yay ASL Friends!

Mermaid Mystery

07-11-2015, 05:50 PM

wouldn't arion speak French Sign Language? even though ASL came from FSL

Mer-Crazy

07-11-2015, 06:06 PM

Gah I wanna learn sign language so bad but I live in Australia so American sign language isn't very helpful for me :/ Side note: I feel like more people, if not everyone should be taught sign language

Merman Arion

07-11-2015, 06:09 PM

Hi guys :)

Actually, I happen to not know any sign language because I never had to use it until now. When I was a kid, I took a lot of private lessons with a speech therapist so I could speak French and English good. It really helped and fortunately for me, my deafness isn't as deep as some because still can hear okay thanks to my hearing aids but it's not perfect. Besides, my hearing can still lessen in the future. :(
It already did during my childhood, it could happen again and at that moment, I better be prepared and might need to know how to use sign language. I plan on learning but in Paris, the teachers are not many and the lessons are very expensive :cry:

@Lotus_Blooming
Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate it. I'm so gonna enjoy your videos. God bless you for adding subtitles :hug:

@Mermaid Harmony
I'm really excited to have the opportunity to meet you. I might have my own pair of fae wings ready by then :D

Arella

07-11-2015, 07:20 PM

This is great! I actually just began ASL classes a few weeks ago :)

Ciriun

07-11-2015, 07:31 PM

This is so cool Lotus! Maybe you can teach us some words relating to swimming and the water?

I am not eager to try signing my full name. I barely even like to write all 18 letters of it, and I don't know how to sign a hyphen.

Maethor

07-11-2015, 07:46 PM

Thank you! I'm taking American Sign language in college the is fall. I love watching videos made by other people!

Mermaid Mystery

07-11-2015, 08:37 PM

I'm taking it this summer but I took it my freshman year of high school. I completely lost it tho

MerShellly

07-11-2015, 09:45 PM

ASL looks like a really exciting language to learn!

PearlieMae

07-11-2015, 10:03 PM

Mermaid Jessica knows ASL, and signs when she's tank swimming.

Wouldn't it be lovely if there were a universal sign language all around the world?

Mermaid Mystery

07-11-2015, 10:11 PM

they tried universal sign language but it failed miserably. and that's so cool! I'd love to do that

Mermaid Harmony

07-11-2015, 11:03 PM

I know it's different, but because I forgot the majority of what I know and because they are so similar I could pick up FSL faster. But Arion, that's a bummer, but I'm still stoked to meet you none the less, we can have a fairy party!

Lotus the Mermaid

07-12-2015, 03:03 AM

Mermaid Harmony: That's wonderful! I really hope these video lessons help!

Mer-Crazy: I would love to eventually learn every type of Sign Language there is! I agree, I think that everyone should learn it. Whenever my husband and I have kids, I plan on teaching them as babies to help them communicate early!

Arion: Of course, Arion!! I really hope you do!! :D :hug:

Arella: That's fantastic! If you need any help, let me know!

Ciriun: Great idea! I'll start working on the vocabulary list tonight! If I have time, I'll have the next video up tomorrow!
Signing a hyphen is simple! You just pause in the middle of the two names. That's the beauty of ASL, it's beautifully simple. The context is what matters! I hope that helps! :)

Maethor: Wonderful!! It's a fun class, but don't be too intimidated if your teacher is one that refuses to allow you to use your voice in class! You'll pick it up very quickly!

mermaidofthelabyrinth: It's easy to do! I have to constantly practice, and I still have to refer to ASLPro.com and other dictionary sources often to ensure I'm signing less common words correctly!

Mermaid Carly: It is!! I hope you enjoy the videos!

Pearlie: Wow! That's what I want to do!! I'll have to look up her videos!!! I certainly wish there could be!!

Thank you all for the encouragement!! I'll keep them coming! :)

SeaGlass Siren

07-12-2015, 08:54 AM

So far I know how to sign "name" "a k l m n u v w y z" and 12345, and 10.

Lotus the Mermaid

07-12-2015, 08:56 AM

So far I know how to sign "name" "a k l m n u v w y z" and 12345, and 10.

That's a great start! And yes, 6-9 are weird! It's neat because you only need one hand to count them, though! I hope the videos help!! :)

SeaGlass Siren

07-12-2015, 08:57 AM

It helps greatly. Watching the same video every day will really help!

Lotus the Mermaid

07-12-2015, 09:00 AM

It helps greatly. Watching the same video every day will really help!

I'm so glad! I can't wait to upload the next one! It will be full of mermaid and ocean signs!!

SeaGlass Siren

07-12-2015, 09:02 AM

Oh yay!! Can't wait to see it

Lotus the Mermaid

07-13-2015, 01:12 AM

Here it is! Lesson 2! It's filled with vocabulary, so it's much longer than Lesson 1! I apologize for the brightness! I had to film it quickly this morning before going to church! If you can't see the captions, just wait a bit and try watching it a little later because the video may still be processing them! :)

Enjoy! <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6crvg7_RpA

Ciriun

07-13-2015, 01:33 PM

That was fun! I'll admit I keep getting my right and left confused so I'm messing up a lot, but I assume that isn't a problem for more coordinated people. :sweat drop:

Mermaid Mystery

07-13-2015, 01:57 PM

LOL I DO THAT ALL THE TIME! I swear I'm a lefty when it comes to ASL.

MerShellly

07-13-2015, 04:37 PM

LOL I DO THAT ALL THE TIME! I swear I'm a lefty when it comes to ASL.
same. They forced me to use my right when learning one time. :( lol

Lotus the Mermaid

07-13-2015, 04:51 PM

That's okay! It's extremely common! Nearly everyone starts out mirroring the signer they're learning from! The trick is to remember that your dominant hand should be doing the majority of the movement! :)

Mermaid Momo

07-13-2015, 05:16 PM

Loving these! I used to be semi fluent when I was younger (a library I went too had free classes and we took those along with Spanish but now I don't remember either languages.) For vocab, could you maybe do one on shopping? Like ordering food, asking questions for shoppers, buying things, asking if they want anything else, etc? Because it would really help me with my job

Lotus the Mermaid

07-13-2015, 05:42 PM

Mermaid Momo, I'm so glad you like them! Thank you so much for the suggestion! That will be the vocabulary for Lesson 3!
What types of food do you sell, so I can teach you those signs as well? :)

If anyone else needs or wants to learn any particular vocabulary, please feel free to let me know! I'll do my best to make these as helpful as possible for you all!

Ciriun

07-13-2015, 07:38 PM

I figured on the dominant hand thing, it's the signs that involve two hands both moving that throw me the most, like the one for shark. But I'll keep practicing!

I know for foreign languages one of the most useful phrases they teach is how to say you are not fluent in that language. It's one of the only things I still remember from high school Spanish, besides "Tengo un gato verde en mis pantalones." I think it was originally purple, but I forgot that one so I subbed in green at some point.

Aysun_the_Mermaid

07-13-2015, 08:01 PM

What about a green cat in your pants?

(My favorite translated into every language is "my hovercraft is full of eels)

SeaGlass Siren

07-14-2015, 09:03 AM

I figured Disney phrases and names of Disney movies for the store would help.
"did Ursula steal your voice?"
"Ursula stole mine too!"
and other basic phrases like
"how can I help you? What would you like?
no problem! I'll be back.

maybe other animal signs too.

Celaeno

07-21-2015, 06:20 AM

This is so cool!

We've been slowly learning ASL and teaching it to our daughter. It really helped when she was a pre-verbal infant, she could sign "milk" when she was hungry, "diaper" when she was wet, and "sleepy" when she was tired, and of course "mom" and "dad". :D
Since moving to England it's been interesting finding out differences between ASL and BSL.

MerMaisy

07-21-2015, 12:53 PM

My sister couldn't speak normally as a toddler, so we taught her ASL. I started taking it at the junior college when I was 11.
Celaeno have you showed your daughter Signing Time videos? My sister used to love them.

Celaeno

07-21-2015, 01:05 PM

Celaeno have you showed your daughter Signing Time videos? My sister used to love them.

Yes! They're so great! We started with Baby Signing Time and worked up to Signing Time. June loves them too. :D

Imogen Finnly

07-21-2015, 05:30 PM

Im taking ASL classes right now and it is great

formerly jayy

Mermaid Mystery

07-21-2015, 06:28 PM

I have my final tomorrow and Thursday

Imogen Finnly

07-22-2015, 01:30 AM

I migjt transfer to a 2 year and get an AA in deaf studies

formerly jayy

Lotus the Mermaid

07-22-2015, 01:32 AM

Working on the next video! I apologize for the delay. It's taking me longer than I thought to find the time to do it! (Adding the subtitles takes the longest)!

Thanks, everyone!! <3

SeaGlass Siren

07-22-2015, 08:33 AM

No worries lotus!!! You're volunteering your time to do this for us which is super appreciated! Take as much time as needed:)

SeaGlass Siren

07-22-2015, 09:00 AM

wondering if i should learn british sign language too o-o
because heres the thing with canada; we live right next to the states so we have a shit ton of similarities and things that are the same with the states (mixed use of colour/color, grey/gray)
but heres the other thing; we still bow to the queen and most of the things we use are borrowed from the british.

DelphinaSerene

07-31-2015, 12:20 AM

This is so useful! I tried to take ASL in high school but due to fine motor issues my teacher got me moved out of the class into a non-credit study hall. I almost didn't graduate because of that.

Mermaid Mystery

07-31-2015, 02:21 AM

I think I passed my class which is exciting and I hope I'll continue using the language

NerineArcticMermaid

08-03-2015, 09:20 PM

we should get on tiny together and sign!! I need a pratice partner! Im tAking sign II this fall!

NerineArcticMermaid

08-03-2015, 09:22 PM

LOL I DO THAT ALL THE TIME! I swear I'm a lefty when it comes to ASL.
Funny yyou mention that... I am right handed for writing but I am left dominate when it comes to sign.

Lotus the Mermaid

08-04-2015, 10:31 PM

Thank you all for being so patient with me! I uploaded the video quite a while ago, but I haven't had time to add captions yet! ╮(╯▽╰)╭

frozenbutterflywings

08-11-2015, 09:55 PM

My dream is to be an interpreter and a mermaid working with children who are deaf <3

theMerFanc

10-07-2015, 08:45 PM

I have just started learning ASL!! Yay <3

theMerFanc

10-07-2015, 08:46 PM

My dream is to be an interpreter and a mermaid working with children who are deaf <3
You are my new hero.

Lotus the Mermaid

10-08-2015, 11:36 AM

My dream is to be an interpreter and a mermaid working with children who are deaf <3

That's what I want to do, frozen!!

I hope we get the chance to work together someday!!! (*^▽^*)

Lotus the Mermaid

10-08-2015, 11:36 AM

I have just started learning ASL!! Yay <3

Whoo!!! You'll be surprised how often you'll use it!!! :D

Vrindavana Starfish

10-08-2015, 01:17 PM

Nice! There's a deaf woman at my climbing gym. It would be nice to sign to her, instead of her having to read my lips.

Rinoa Opaltide

12-02-2015, 12:30 AM

I found out recently that there's a school offering 10-week ASL classes and the next one starts in January. I've been looking forward to it ever since and can't wait for it to start. I have trouble speaking sometimes and I feel like signing might help me (tend to use my hands a lot during those times anyway). Also, I've always thought it would be really helpful with scuba so you could actually talk to your dive partner about what you're seeing and what's going on. There's also a family whose little girl I'm helping with English and they want me to try teaching her baby sign/ASL too if I can. Having people to practice with was the part that worried me most so I'm really glad I found this thread. Thanks, Lotus! :hug: