If you’re indoors, make sure there’s enough light for them to see you clearly. If you’re outside, face the sun so that there isn’t a shadow cast in your face and the sun doesn’t glare in theirs. Avoid placing anything in or around your mouth (chewing gum, your hands) while you are talking.
Increase the volume of your voice only helps if the person asks you to do so. Speak a bit slower if the person asks you to do so.
Sign languages are natural languages, with their own grammar and syntax; for example, the English phrase “I give to you” is one word (or “sign”) in American Sign Language (ASL).
Visit https://www. startasl. com/american-sign-language-alphabet to practice the alphabet in ASL. Visit http://www. lifeprint. com/asl101/pages-signs/n/numbers. htm to practice your numbers.
To sign please: place your hand flat against the center of your chest and move it clockwise in a circular motion three times. [8] X Research source To sign thank you: touch your fingers to your lips (with your hand flat). Then move your hand forward and down in the direction of the person. [9] X Research source To sign hello: touch your hand to your forehead with your palm facing downward. Then raise it away from your forehead (similar to a salute). [10] X Research source
Take a course with a local college, university, or deaf organization. Join a signing club. Practice with a deaf friend.
Remember that there are different sign languages. It may be possible that the person you are trying to communicate with uses a different form of sign language than the one you know.
Sign with your hands out in front of you, at about chest level. If you must turn away for some reason, explain why are doing so and briefly pause the conversation.
You might say, “Would it help for me to summarize what we just talked about?”
