Why I Sign (for the ASL
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- Опубликовано: 18 апр 2016
- My story with American Sign Language - why I struggled to embrace my Deaf identity at first and how I found it through ASL.
ICODA: International Center on Deafness and the Arts
www.icodaarts.org
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Someone saw this video and asked me if I could tell them how I learned to cope and become comfortable with my Deaf identity, and I wanted to share my response in case anyone else is struggling with the same thing and there’s any chance this helps:
I don’t know that I ever really hit a level where from that point on, I was always comfortable with my Deaf identity 100%. …
The truth is that we might always face situations that are difficult and frustrating and make us question how accepting we are of our identities. But what I’ve found is that these moments are so, so insignificant compared to all the times I stood up and self-advocated for my needs, or the feeling I get every time I sign a song in ASL, or the countless times a friend or even stranger has excitedly approached me to show me the new signs they learned, or the times when it’s just all my Deaf friends in one room with hands flying and no ears necessary. And that, I think, is kind of what embracing your identity is all about-trusting that the great moments far outweigh the frustrating ones, and trusting that your own self-acceptance will decimate any shame or anger you’ve learned to associate with your identity.
There’s no set manual on becoming comfortable with your Deaf identity and learning how to cope with those awful, infuriating situations when you don’t hear or understand people and the world doesn’t understand you. But remember: never be afraid to demand the accommodations you need; cherish the people in your life who respect, understand, and fulfill those needs; and no matter how rudely or indifferently or ignorantly the people around you act-know that you deserve full accessibility and that you are completely and utterly valid in your own identity. 
Развлечения
Not being able to understand made me fustrated, but then I was happy because it meant I was understanding how it is to be watching a video with proper captions or signing! It is so bad that many videos exclude people who prefer or need to have an alternative way of understanding the video!
captions
captions lol
I loved this. Even though I had to use captions, I want to learn sign language as I grow up so I can translate for others. I find it so intricate and detailed. You're beautiful and this was inspiring.
How did u turn the captions on?
+Julia Sampson if you look to the top right corner then is three dots like up vertically.. Press that and there would be a sign that says CC press that then English then there you go
+Sara Dixon (GirlWarrior98) Congrats!
I started learning roughly around a month ago and I love the language, I think it's amazing how people found a way to communicate with actions and emotions! It's a beautiful language! I want to be able to help out at a deaf school or even be able to become an interpreter!
+Sara Dixon (GirlWarrior98)
Same!!! It's beautiful to learn!
Sign language is such a gift. I'm hearing and find listening in a hearing culture boring now that I know sign. I find I can express myself with my face. I find it is aiding me in my ADD in that I don't have to sit still and listen. I can do things while I listen. I'm so grateful
I really want to thank you. I'm hearing but you have inspired me to learn asl. I started to teach myself after watching your spoken word. I've now been taking classes for 8 weeks now and I love it.
Whoop!
I watched this and I'm so glad that I did. I'm HoH, but not severely. It still effects my everyday life. I sign and I'm taking proper classes so that I can become certified as an ASL medical interpreter. People like you inspire me and encourage me to keep learning, keep growing, and keep learning. Keep signing and being your awesome self
May I say this is beautiful. In sign language, you never have to shout to be heard, you can hear the sound of silence, and there is a quiet grace and dare i say intimacy in it that speaking with the tongue lacks.
I'm so inspired by the whole deaf community it actually encouraged me to learn sign language!
Ren, you really inspire me. I'm deaf, and for most of my life I was hearing, so, when I went deaf, I pretty much refused to learn to sign. I was hopeful I'd get my hearing back, but I never did, and when I realized that this wasn't a disability, but a difference, I learned to sign. It was really a game-changer for me in how I communicate with people, and it opened an entirely new world to me.
I have been learning ASL for not even a year yet and I understood most of your signing. I love this community so much and (while I don't have many friends who sign/are deaf) learning this beautiful language from a teacher who is hard of hearing opened my eyes. I realized just how everyone is just trying to live and love and everyone on this world can do anything even if they can't hear.
If you do Speech-Language Pathology do you get to learn sign language because I really want to be a Speech Pathologist and learn sign language.
Ren, you are so amazing. That speech you gave... WOW. I want to learn ASL and when I found your channel, I think, OMG this girl is amazing.
Hey Ren, thank you for sharing your story. I've been following Rikki Poynter for a while now and I found your channel through hers. I'm an actor/director/youtuber. I recently directed a short commercial with deaf actors and it opened my mind up to a whole other world. Just last week I saw a play with a cast made up of only deaf actors. As a youtuber, my aim is being a diversity activist. So I'm so lucky to have stumbled upon your channel and to be learning more and more about the deaf culture. Thanks again Ren, talk soon!
It’s so nice to see stories like this being spread. Although I am not deaf, I learned sign to become a part of this great community you talk about. I hope to see a world that everyone signs in one day though, so everyone can experience this.
I'm hearing and I'm trying to learn sign language. I find signing so expressive! I just love it! Love you Ren!
Thankyou REN for this very informative video on your life and why you serport the why I sign campaign,,, I have allways found your videos to be most helpful and honest,,, thankyou for being a role model to all 😀
This my first deaf RUclipsr Who I'm subscribed to! Your so awesome. Please continue yout life even when your deaf. And your beautiful. You don't see deaf youtubers commonly:)
I had to read the captions because I am a hearing person who doesn't understand much sign language, and it was difficult, something I wasn't used to, and it opened my eyes to how easy we take things we have for granted. This was an impactful video for me for that reason. I am going to sign up for a sign language class at my library just so I never leave someone out because my ignorance of someone not being as fortunate as me. Thank you.
This is amazing! Love you Ren!
Hey, Ren! I really like your videos and I love your commitment to be better at life. It's a really beautiful thing. I hope you have a great day!
i didnt know that you were hearing untill i looked at your other videos, thats so awesome :3 my whole family is deaf too except a few of us. its awesome that you make these videos
Excellent video, Ren! Truly, ASL opens many opportunities for d/Deaf people of all ages!
I love this video. I've always stressed over the fact that I can't communicate with everyone, because we may not speak the same language. I felt that same distress when I started the video, because I love people and I love hearing what they have to say. It made me happy to find the captions and even happier for the parts where I could figure out what you were saying without them. I want to overcome the language barrier whether that's through learning the different languages like sign language or just learning to read people.
i am not deaf but I would just like to say I really like watching your videos +Ren because you are inspiring so many people with you're joy, kindness, and signing. you showed me that no matter what happens never give up. your videos have made me happy when im sad because you are full of joy and I love that. I am learning to sign, I know some day I might need it for myself or someone I love. plus its a wonderful language to learn. I just want to say that you are an amazing person and I hope you will always stay happy and inspire people!
Hi i really think you're awesome because your pretty much the only deaf youtuber with over 10,000 subs thats awesome so please keep making youtube videos because even though you might not make anyone else proud but you sure do make me proud and happy
Awesome! ^.^ Can't wait to see what you accomplish!
I am not deaf but ASL has been my dream language for as long as i can remember and finally i am learning i find it awesome that u are a you tuber and that you do not look at being deaf as a disability i hope you can be an example to many !
You have inspired me to learn sign language to be able to read what your saying i went out and bought a book today about sign language you are an amazing person
I saw the video without captions first because I wanted to, this is what makes me what to learn asl, not because I can't understand you but because I'm so interested and curious. My goal in the next 10 years is to learn how to sign 😊 I signed a little but I stopped since I hand no one to precipice with since my bestfriend moved away and I practiced with her but now you've inspired me again! You're awesome!❤️❤️😊😊
I seriously love you and admires you so much. You just have angel when you express, i can see that you are a funny, creative, sweet person. #humangoals for you girl. Im a suscriber #TEAMREN
i like how you made me read the captions instead of hearing like other videos , i'm not deaf but i wish i can speak or interact like you .
I love your channel ! I’m trying to start my own Deaf theater and I’d love to hear more about that Deaf theater program your in.
my asl 3 class had to gloss (asl grammar) this video, so i found your channel afterwards and i'm obsessed
Thank you for your sharing about yourself. My daughter is Moderate hearing loss for left and Severe hearing loss for right. She wears hearing aid. She loves to watch you and Kelly's song. She loves to sing as like as you do. I am deaf too. Please keep your songs.
Thank you for what you're doing
Keep doing this
I'm glad this video has captions of what your saying
I wish I could learn sign language
You can! It's super fun and easy! I started about a month ago and I love it! I jut use RUclips and I watch switched at birth (it's a very cool tv show) I am not deaf and I don't know anyone who is dead but anyone can learn to sign!
It's really easy I know it
+Anonymous Person feels good when u encounter someone who is deaf and desperate and out of the blue you are the only one able to help and make the persons day
+Anonymous Person feels good when u encounter someone who is deaf and desperate and out of the blue you are the only one able to help and make the persons day
+CityOfSandwiches
I agree! I can't wait to get the chance to do that! I have always felt bad that deaf people have to go out of their way to try and explain things, which is why I decided to learn asl!
Hey girl! I am deaf/severely hard of hearing and I speak well like you, but I was curious if there as any way I could contact you? I am learning sign because along with my hearing loss, I also have menieres disease so lip reading really is not working out so great for me anymore. I would just really like to talk with you if thats okay? ask some questions? I have no deaf friends and where I live has no deaf community. I would love your response! Thank you :)
+Madison Beckstedt Hi! My e-mail is renlikethewind@gmail.com :)
beautiful Brazil
+Ren can You make Videos learning How to Sign no one I now is deaf but I'm Fascinated by this beautiful thing known as Sign
You have bilateral Meniere's? Is that what took all of the hearing you lost, or do you have another condition as well?
Sarah: Meniere's is something that rarely develops in childhood.
Great hearing, but Im a full ASL speaker :) 2nd language! My best friend is completely deaf. Learned the whole language!!
I put the subtitles to understand (I'm not deaf and I dunno how to sign) and it was great even though sometimes it didn't go all the way though. I'm here just to know ur story and find it amazing so I wish u all the best in the world
Thank you so much for captions
Hi Ren. I'm not deaf but I do know sign language! even with the captions I knew what you were sayingand it made me very happy +Ren
damn stumbled across this channel, its so amazing keep up the great work!!
I can't read sign language but I turned on captions and this is beautiful
I do take sign language in school, but I still needed the captions.
Interesting video.
I actually might want to become an interpreter
I love this x
So my friend and I are going to start learning ASL this summer, and I only know a few signs right now. But I try to learn new signs any chance I get, such as in watching this video. For some reason, I was able to follow along pretty well :P
Having grown up with a deaf sister i love finding out more about deaf culture
I'm so glad I learned sign language when I was little!!
Wow ur a huge inspiration
I"m going to use this video for a project on ASL education!
I’m so happy that captions work! Because I don’t need understand sign language
She's my inspiration
You could never realize. How badly I wish I was blessed with your awesome talent of sign. : (
I do have a great idea if you are willing to listen? How you can help thousands all over the world. By giving a few minutes of your time and sharing your gift of sign.
I took 2 years of ASL and I love the culture and language. I wish I had a better teacher... Then I would have taken more classes. I hope to get good enough some day to make some friends and really learn more about the deaf community.
You are so pretty!😍
The reason I sign is so I can become a part of the Deaf's World, and hopefully bring about communication from other hearing people to them. I just don't have the heart to leave a deaf person without someone to talk to.
For al the old and new subscribes we should make that this beautiful girl has more subscribers, you know, more people that watch and support her videos and just for people to know about her. Lets do it in all of our networks and social media.
#TeamRen
Beautiful
i wanna learn sign language now O.O She's so smart and awesome :D
I tried learning asl and I know like a few letters but it is more difficult (for me) to try and learn it from a book without someone who knows it, showing me. btw, I love your hair :)
Love you sis.... From India 🤗
love it
I've been learning asl/pse for about a year now, I try to understand soley signing but sometimes the signer goes to fast. I am going to try to keep up!
i was trying to practice understanding you without captions and you were signing IDOCA and i was like “what’s wrong with me i cant read what you’re fingerspelling!!” and when i turned on the captions i realized that was correct lol
God bless you :)
Those who don't understand what she is saying put on captions btw keep up the awesome work!!
💕💕💕
I did not know what she said but I am trying to practice my ASL because I think it is one of the most amazing thing to do I have a friend and she is half deaf but her family is completely deaf so if I meet her one day I can talk to her in sign language and i need to practice so I can understand because when I grow up I want to be a vet or a person to help deaf people that would be awesome I practice my ASL everyday and it is so much fun
Wait.... You are really pretty :O
I think it would be a fun video to try/teach people how to sign
It's amazing how she can make a youtube vid wherever she wants because she doesn't have to worry about sound complaints and stf.
i like the sound of that
I have been watching switched at Birth, Now i am super interested in deaf culture!
they have a sign language club at our school, which i think is really cool, and im gonna see about joining
I'm trying to learn how to sign so i can talk with my friend she dosent have many friends who can sign so she dosent really like being by people these videos act as a test almost I really enjoy them:)
I am not deaf but I'm not entirely sure if I'm heard of hearing but I could understand most of what your saying because I'm learning ASL to communicate with deaf/hard of hearing ppl
I'm hearing and after watching the full show switched at birth inspired me to learn, I only under stand a little asl bc I'm just learning but I kinda good at reading lips thow...
Okay, I really really really want to learn ASL now
I love it so much and by the way I am hard of hearing and have a nice day
I look up to you
I literally just discovered captions for RUclips in this video and now I wanna learn to sign😂😂 (I'm not deaf but I really wanna learn now)
Chrissy Long The DailySigns,Meridith ASL.
Hey Ren, I'm really interested in Sign Language and I've considered multiple times to start studying it after school amd maybe do an intern at a school for deaf children or something. I'd really like to watch your videos. I hope it is not rude to ask for captions?❤️
I'm sending greetings your way
Avria
Now I'm off to learn sign language
I used the captions but I understood some words. I have only been signing for a year but I can have full conversations in ASL with my friends.
You need more subs.
you are so pretty😭 i hope you can hear again soon
That literally makes no sense...
+Caternater 3000 nothing's impossible tho..👌👌
1. Ren said nothing about the gene making a member of her family-- or even herself-- hearing again.
2. Ren seems perfectly content now and embraces her identity as a Deaf woman.
3. Beauty has nothing to do with deafness or any other kind of difference.
4. Things that aren't broken don't need fixing. Think about it.
+Goofy16girl787 sorry.. I just wanted her to hear again..
+SquishyPanda I know, but she has actually got a richer and better life because of the experience of loosing the ability to hear. She gained more than she lost, and what she gained is worth more than hearing.
Could you teach us some signs?
yeah that would be an amazing idea
im not deaf and im subscibed because i want to suport you very much thats why i love your videos bye
U SHOULD MAKE MORE VIDEOS PLZZ
i have a friend who is deaf but I don't know a lot of sign language and want to learn more cuz she is my best friend
1:26 ❤️🤟🏻
dis is sweet and sad
OMG so o distied to turn on kaptions to see what she was saying I didn't think it would works but it did 😂
Personally idk what she said . but I would date her even tho she's deaf . Im sure she's an amazing girl :) I wish her the best ❤
Hi, I'm really interested in learning asl, however I don't know how to start. Any suggestions or tips? Please let me know.
Hi, I have a question related directly to ASL... When I sign "sign" i usually sign it with my two pointer fingers going around each other in a circular motion. Are there many different ways to sign "sign" or am I signing it wrong? Thanks :)
sam, i sign "sign" with to finger pointing toward each other in a circular motion.
I need to able to sign because that's the only way I could talk I kinda understand it has been 2 years I haven't sign
I think everyone should learn to sign, deaf or not, it's so expressive and artistic, and they say French is a beautiful language pffft -.-
Ren I am not death but I'm sorry for you but I don't know if I should be sorry because I don't know if that would be insulting. But I am glad there is I death person on RUclips so other death people can actually watch something and not have to lip read or use there mind a lot when they just want to relax have a good day!
Guys u can use RUclips captions
i don't know sign language. should i learn it? realistically, if i don't know any people who can't hear, how often would i use it?