When I talked with a friend about being nervous to get involved in the Deaf community with my minimal signing skills she shared this with me "Learning to sign without interacting with Deaf people, is like learning to swim without water." -Bill Vicars. Its something that has stuck with me ever since and I remember it when I am scared about going to new events. I am so thankful for the friends I have made and the people I have met thanks to the Deaf community. Also great job on the video Rikki!
This. As a hearing father of a HoH daughter I was also very nervous about going to Deaf events. Upon going I discovered a) most Deaf are appreciative and patient of your efforts to learn ASL, and b) there are mostly nice people and some real a@@holes in any community, Deaf included. Just put on your 'Determined Rikki' face and persevere. You'll make friends and increase in skill as time goes on. Thank you for this video.
+Mark Sykes Good for you for testing the waters with your daughter! A lot of parents insist on raising their Deaf or HOH children to hide their disability and solely go mainstream. You sound encouraging. And I thought of what she said about saying, "Fine! I'll go make friends over there!"---if anybody is intentionally rude to you for not being fluent in ASL, it's not because you aren't fluent, it's because they're in a bad mood or the two of you just do not click. This happens in the Hearing world, it can happen in the Deaf world, the Blind world, pretty much in any social group.
@@xFictionAficionadax not true. My parents raised me as an oral deaf with academic mainstreaming all the way through college. I was raised primarily with Cued Speech (and SEE/ASL for substitute interpreters) interpreting, remote note-takers, and an in class aide. While this isn't the usual route most parents of deaf children typically took in the late 1970s, I believe it is so much better than the Total Communication/Deaf institutions (or state school) route that was available at the time. I know things have improved in the 2000s for young deaf children, but parents need to see there are other options like the way I was raised. I graduated from an university that isn't deaf oriented. I've completely lost my train of track at this point, but I assume you get the gist of what I'm trying to get across this late in the day. But my parents NEVER hid my deafness. They fought the school boards, and the state education department, from Elementary to High school in the 90s to give me the same education as a hearing child. Honestly the academics at the deaf schools were pretty dismal at that time.
After watching this video I'm pretty satisfied with myself because I understood almost everything you signed without turning the captions on! Also, it was enjoyable to watch, so do more of this, even if you aren't fluent yet! :)
I am new to your channel. my son was born deaf he just turned 1 on Monday. I am learning sign language so I can teach him. I have to say you are pretty fluent to me. I hope to be able to have conversations with deaf people as my son grows up. I also want him to be able to use his voice as well. I don't want him to feel cornered communicating with hearing people and deaf people.
Speech therapy is a great idea. Im not deaf but I know a great grip on deaf culture and the only thing I wouldnt push is the cochlear implant. I know its better when theyre little but the surgery is irreversable
You know, going to my first deaf night at a coffee shop made me realize that getting to know people and having more confidence in myself around hearing people should be waaaaay easier than I make it seem. It helped my confidence immensely. And then that in turn helped me open up more to be comfortable around people who sign. It took almost 6 months, but I learned! And I will be forever grateful.
I just adore you!! I'm Swedish and love SSL and ASL, and we are teaching our 1 year old "baby signs" and are going to learn SSL since my husband has a syndrome called Ehlers Danlos syndrome that in his case causes problems with his ligaments in his ears causing hearingloss :) So over the past 10 years he has gone from 20% hearingloss to about 50% and will probably be completely deaf in the next 10-20 years, so we need to learn SSL before that happens ^_^ Thank you for being a fun and great inspiration :D
Hello Rikki, my name is Terry Dufresne and I am deaf from North Bay, Ontario (4 hours north of Toronto) and I really enjoy watch lot of your RUclips Videos and this one you have lot of courage and you are part of deaf community now just as you just got new friend from me :)
Hi! I just arrived here from the collab you did with Tommy Edison. I know exactly how you feel when it comes to being nervous and scared. I took ASL classes because I wanted to become an interpreter. I came to realize that was not going to happen. I can sign better than I can understand. My teachers and I would hang out in the lunchroom before class; and they would tease me that I would just sit there and nod my head. Not unlike Deaf ppl when they are out with hearing friends who don't sign. :) I am glad that I took the classes. It started because one of my best friends as a kid was Deaf. There are several times that I ended up in an ER with a panic attack, and, while I could not speak, I could sign. It is also good for Autistic ppl to learn to sign, in my opinion. Thanks for the great video! Shala
I swear I thought I was the only one who was nervous for not being as fluent in ASL, but I've always just taken a breath and gone forth regardless. I have an easier time understanding others when they sign than actually signing myself, so that's an advantage. I'm proud of you for trying! Doing these events can be frightening.
Lol, Thank you so very much for this video! I am recently deaf and learning to sign and OMGOODNESS I am Freaking out! I feel like such an idiot because I know very little asl and I too worry about what everyone will think specially the Deaf and HOH communities. I am very sarcastic when I get uncomfortable and I am worried about offending anyone by using the wrong sign or wrong facial expressions! I love the idea of the wine though for calming down...haha like the bottle or 3. Thank you again for your video. Brenda
I came here from your video talking about transitioning into signing. Now, I am incredibly lucky, because I do not have a disability, but I have, and do, study languages. From the video I just watched, I know that you did not learn signing early, and that you have not been doing it for long. I am incredibly impressed. I cannot say anything about the quality of the actual signing, as I do not understand ASL myself, but what impresses me is that you are doing it in a video, putting yourself out there. I know you already were doing youtube orally, but as you have said yourself, that is the way you have always spoken. I don't do videos myself, but if I did, I would not feel comfortable doing it in any languages other than Norwegian or English, both of which I speak completely fluently. The fact that you are putting yourself out there is inspiring. Not just for learners of ASL or other sign languages, but learners of any language. Thank you for being on RUclips and for helping to educate people. It is great for those of us on the outside to be able to understand more, and avoid potentially embarrassing ourselves.
Rikki Poynter "putting yourself out there" was actually not in reference to you being deaf. It was in reference to what most of my comment was talking about: language learning. And using a language that you are not yet completely comfortable with on a RUclips video, rather than just in your daily life. I figured that would be implied, but I could clearly have spelled that out more.
Great job Rikki. You should be proud of yourself. Having courage doesn't mean not being nervous or scared it means doing something in spite of these things.
Even though you aren't fluent I feel like in the videos where you sign you really enjoy communicating that way, it's cool that you both talk and sign now (even if your signing requires work) because 1) you have the option and 2) you deserve to be a part of the Deaf community. I think also the expression that comes with signing makes your personality shine. It's great.
I just wanted to ask how do I respect fully join a Deaf conversation. I don't want to come across as that hearing person who is just using someone to practice. I genuinely want to make friends. I've been to many Deaf events but I usually get stuck with ASL students who just end up speaking. I don't know if I should just go and tap someone or just walk into a group conversation, that seems very rude. Could you maybe make a video about Deaf vs Hearing cultural differences?
I think the more eager you are the mord eager you will appear, and at least in my case my Deaf friends try to include me simply because I stand in theirgroups and actively get to engage. I used to feel like "that word hearing person" but they don't usually judge if you are genuinely trying to learn and keep up. You must tell them when you don't understand and you'll find yourself apologizing a lot when you're impatient with yourself, but i think it's a lot like many any new friends. You just kind of have to assert yourself and be real and ask questions and actually TRY to use youwhat signs you know. Don't be afraid to ask for repeats, and the nice ones will Havre no problem spelling out words you haven't learned yet. And whole you're practicing leaning vocabulary, continually ALWAYS always practice your finger spelling. If you can improve your fingerspelling comprehension you can overcome most vocabulary barriers.
Hey! Just want to say I'm so grateful for these types of videos and thanks for putting it up bc I am just learning ASL and stuff like this really helps my receptive skills -- fully fluent people are just a lil too quick for where I am at right now. Really appreciate the upload... I was able to follow with no cc's, good exercise!!
I love seeing you sign! I hope you do more videos like this!!! Also love the content of this video! As a hearing person who can communicate in ASL, but isn't fluent, I sometimes let the nerves keep me from getting more involved in the Deaf community even though I'm really passionate about it. Thanks again for this!
You've made a lot of improvements with your signing in such a short time! Your personality shines when you sign. I've been in and out of the Deaf community for almost my whole life and I still get nervous when socializing with those with stronger ties in the Deaf community.
hi! i'm hearing and i've been taking completely immersive asl classes in college for over a year now. i was in musical that was performed in english and asl, and signing with our Deaf audiences was really fun. it's totally okay to make mistakes, and i think most Deaf people who know sign are more than accepting than you may think. keep up the good work!
i'm not deaf but I've been learning a lil bit of asl in the last months and I'm very happy now because you sign in a way that I can pretty much understand! so keep up the work, I would love to see more asl vlogs from you.
This is so cool! I took an ASL course in college, but I was always too scared to go to any of the events they would try to get us to go to. I recognized some of what you were saying, and learned some new signs too! Glad to see it's something you plan on continuing.
I went to my first Deaf event when I was 16 years old! I was very nervous but Deaf people were so nice to me and signed slow for me :) I grew up mainstream so it was so nice to meet Deaf friends!
I loved it when you pulled out an invisible inhaler! It gets the point across! I attend a Deaf group at a friends house regularly. (I’m hearing) There is a Deaf man who tells stories amazingly well by using that type of visually descriptive gesturing. It makes it really easier for us ASL beginners to follow along. You are doing great! You should sign in more if your videos!
I've been there like...A lot. I'm pretty hard of hearing, more in one side than the other, and I've been learning ASL for a little under a year by now... I went to my first ever silent coffee with an ASL club, and I was worried as hell. I didn't even want to sit down with everyone when I realized they probably signed better than me, were probably more fluent, and I would make mistakes. Plus, I didn't know how many of them were hearing and how many were not, and I was afraid to feel like I didn't fit in with other Deaf people. Once I sat down though and was able to communicate with some other people using ASL, I felt so much better about it. I was telling them I was nervous but they helped me out. It's worth trying out a Deaf event if you're just learning to sign. Some people might be rude but the majority are really nice.
This video made me happy. I personally am a hearing person but I was born deaf. Somehow they managed to help me regain my hearing in my childhood. Despite that, I've always wanted to become a part of the community as an ally or something, but my ASL is horrendous and talking with d/Deaf people always makes me feel nervous. This video makes me feel a little more confident to reach out (that's even true for this comment, considering I've been wanting to comment for a long time but have been too nervous to say anything) Thank you, Rikki ^^
I went thru the same thing. I was freaking nervous going to my 1st deaf community event. it was awesome and fun. going back on 2/18/2017 for dingo. I am excited met wonderful people .
as a progressively HoH guy, I was/still am mainstreamed and I get so nervous with the deaf community because I know my asl is NOT fluent! It really does help to know that the deaf community is really diverse and I am not the only one who isn't a native signer. So far no one has really judged me that much- but I still get nervous sometimes haha! Thanks for this great video. It is nice to know there are other people like me haha.
I honestly love this video so much. I'm an ASL student and I'm hearing, so I'm around Deaf and Hard of Hearing people a lot, and it's great, but at the same time, I ALWAYS get nervous because my signing isn't as fluent and I worry that some people will hate me because I'm not Deaf or because my signing isn't as good, and I've noticed that A LOT of other people in my classes for the same major feel the same way.
You are improving, I applause for that Rikki. You are on your journey, in searching for your true identity and finding your culture in the Deaf community. Please know that you are warmly welcomed, even long before you knew it and as for anyone who want to socialize with us Deaf and Hard of Hearing community please know that we would more than welcome you all. We are more than happy to teach American Sign Language, we as Deaf and Hard of Hearing community teaches American Sign Language. Learning our language from us is more authentic than it would be from any hearing people hence that language were developed by none other than us in many generations or centuries. Nonetheless, Rikki. Great job and keep on improving.
when signing "nervous", I recommend using two "g" pointing down, like the q, but shape it like heels if you get what I mean... your index and thumb sticking out and pointing down. then, take your dominant hand and shake it a little bit. That's how I sign it. I see your sign for nervous alot, but try shaking just one hand and keep the other still. it'll show "freeze" and "shake nerves" at the same time.
I was born with hearing loss and my hearing has gotten so much worse over the years. I've been learning asl. The first time I went to a deaf event I was so nervous. But, then when I went I had so much fun and everyone was so nice and welcoming. :)
I love this! I'm in an ASL Interpreting program currently, at like an ASL 3 level. You will help me learn! I'm trying to immerse myself in Deaf culture. Keep it up (:
I love this! That's exactly how I feel. I sweat, I'm so nervous...I all of a sudden can't FS for crap. I'm so interested by how different our signs are. I know signs vary from region, but I totally like your sing for "wine" much better than the one I learned. It was really subtle stuff like "all", "wine", "drunk", I can't remember what else now.
Rikki, because of YOUR channel... I took a course in Sign Language. You & your videos inspired me to take the next step in my life. My new classes start in three weeks & I'm super excited. Thank you very berry cherry much for the awesomeness that you ARE. Stay Badass 😀
Oh, Rikki! I am so disappointed that I didn't make it to this event. I ended up having to do an emergency job-saving intervention for a client of mine that night. i would love to have met you and tell you the impact your videos make on my hearing co-workers, they love your videos - funny but educational esp how hearies act around Deaf. Ask Cat to let me know when you're in town, please?
I think you did very well. I understood all of it. I grew up orally and hearing aides and then a cochlear implant. I did not know about the Deaf community until I met a classmate who is CODA. They helped me learn ASL and helped if I didn't understand the teacher. The first time I went over to their house, I notice a lot of stuff like ASL, flashing lights for doorbell, and the most amazing thing, closed captioning on the TV. I didn't even know there was such a thing. I also found there was a Deaf institute only an hour from where I lived, my friend parents and my friend tried to get my parents to let me go. and my dad wanted me but HER (I have an abusive relationship with my person I came out of too.) anyway, I didn't get to go but that's OK, because I got to learn about my world through my friend.
I really needed this video. Thank you so much, Rikki. So, today I went to a meet up with a group of people for asl and I was really really nervous. I signed a bit. Mostly watched because it was my first day and super nervous. But yeah, in the end I had a lot of fun and learned a few new words. I've only studied for 2 weeks lol. I did come across thoughts of like, "man, maybe they think my signing will suck." One of the ladies there was nice and noticed I was scared. Told me to just sign and have fun.
hi Rikki, I love watching you sign! I'm not deaf but I started to learn the language in college! it's so awesome to see your comedy shine through your signing and facial expressions! not to mention I love sailor moon as well and I live in NC you rock girl!!
I'm gonna do my BEST plus 150% more. Please just know THAT your videos inspire people to be better. Your smile, your attitude & your everything else makes people strive to BE better. YOU TOTALLY made an impact in THIS world, know that 😀
Don't worry about it, girl. I was mainstreamed my whole life right through college. My ASL sucks as I, mostly, use SEE. It's all good. Just ignore the judgers/haters and just be you. Life is short and who cares?
Hey. This is my favourite of your videos so far. I love to see you using ASL 'cause you are super expressive with your eyes, face.. your whole body is talking. It is like to see a completely different person from your oral videos. I am a hearing person not native English speaker as you might notice already and I am learning ASL because I am working as an English teacher in Thailand for kindergarten and elementary school. Even me I am still learning English by teaching (different story). I have a 7 years old deaf student at my school so I started to learn ASL to teach him English with signs and include him in the classes. His parents didn't want me to teach him signs since they want him to talk, but is soo hard for him to feel included in a hearing class. Still I was teaching to the whole class as much as I was learning. Now all my students from the school know basic ASL and they love it. And when we play hangman to learn new vocabulary they fingerspell to discover the word. Suddenly the classroom got more silent. Is so great to use signs to teach a second language and now they translate the signs straight into English without passing through Thai. For me, having this student was a gift, I saw him as a great opportunity to learn another language and wanting to learn more and more. Now I spend a bunch of time watching deaf content from you and Jessica Flores and Sharing with heart and Duo Sign. Sometimes is a bit complex to use ASL with my students since the structure is different and I still need to teach them grammar structure in English. Now I am going back to Colombia and feel divided since I already start learning ASL and want to keep going, but also want to learn CSL from Colombia since it could be more useful to serve in my community. I guess even among Hispanic countries there are a lot of differences to sign things as they are a lot of differences with words meanings even in Spanish. Anyway, all this to say that this video is very inspiring and makes me want to study and practice more and more. Thanks for sharing your experience. It's always a big step to say F U to your nerves.
I LOVED THE VIDEO!! Because I don't have a way to go to take ASL classes, I am just learning by myself at home, and I loved your video :) Please make more videos like this
I love your story time videos! Your sense of humor is great. Recently at my school, an ASL club has started after school and I was so excited to finally have a way to consistently learn ASL in a way other than the internet. But turns out I already have a commitment the day that it runs :( But! I've been talking to some of the members and they said that they'll see about changing the day next year so I can participate! I really hope I can do it because I've been wanting to learn at least basic sign language for a long time.
I'm hearing, but I love learning ASL. I'm currently taking the second class for ASL and I'm in love with it! I went to a Deaf event (a silent dinner) and it was so scary but so fun! I didn't understand most of what they were signing, (because it was at the time where I was only a few months into learning ASL) but they were super helpful and nice. I definitely want to go to more Deaf events and meet Deaf friends!! This is such an encouraging and lovely video! :D
I haven't practiced signing in a while (dumb hearing person over here) and it was a really awesome refresher to see you sign and I was glad because for the most part I didn't need to read the text boxes. only when they were in the way! Good luck with becoming completely fluent!
Thank you for this video! I relate to the nervousness so much! I'm hearing but I am learning asl in school and I like to go to deaf events (besides I have to for an assignment), and in fact I'm going to something tonight, and I'm already nervous, hours before! I'm glad I'll have my friend with me.
youre soo funny and i love how much personality you show in your signing as well as your speaking voice. perhaps im just used to the relatively stoic signing of my asl teacher (since I'm not yet involved in the Deaf community or know any other signing people) but i just really love the way you sign things
I've been trying to learn ASL by self teaching and I know a lot, but don't have much practice with talking or having conversations and these videos are helpful! So I would love more videos in just ASL because it helps a lot with my practicing ! Thank you sooo much you're so inspiring and I love all your videos 😊😊💖
I really love your videos 🙂 you are so expressive when you do ASL and I think that's awesome! I actually have a hearing appointment on the 23rd of this month because for many years I've struggled with my hearing and sometimes when I talk to people it becomes very difficult to talk to them,like my hearing will all of a sudden drown out and do like a pop sensation and that's when it gets hard to hear myself talk and my voice kind of slurs.So I hope I get some answers soon.
Second time I watch this vid. Really nice to se you have evolved your sign! It's like I've done too. Born HOH and deaf from an accident and had to relearn from scratch.
I really enjoyed watching this video. I only know a little ASL myself, but was pretty pleased with the number of signs that I could recognize (though I did watch it with the captions, which certainly made it easier)! It's a language I've always been interested in, but not something I've ever had really opportunity to learn, so I only know a smattering of signs that I've taught myself. And despite warning not to use it is a study guide, I did pick up a couple more signs (ie. nervous, wine).
I love watching these videos because you really get into your signing! Nothing irks me more than when people (usually hearing) sign with a blank face. ¬_¬
I enjoyed this! A few times you made me laugh out loud (I rarely do this, partly because I'm like what's the point of making sound? :P ), and you did great! I look forward to seeing more signed videos :)
i loved this video. i am not deaf or hoh so im always nervous to go to different events like silent dinners. i always feel like i dont belong or like im intruding. but once i go in and talk to some people i feel alot better because most are really accepting and understand the only way to truly learn ASL is to immerse yourself into the culture and community. you should make more vids in all ASL :)
i dont feel deaf enough to go to events like that. I've a fully hearing ear and a deaf one. (i didn't feel deaf enough for hearing aid either but i couldn't do without) and I can only spell the alphabet poorly
I am friends with 3 people who are fully hearing in one ear and deaf in the other and they are fully involved and accepted within the Deaf community! You never know until you try it out
Yeah, I agree with Gabby Brock. You don't have to be "deaf enough". There are hearing people who are and want to be involved in the Deaf community because Deaf Culture is awesome!! I'm hearing. I learned ASL in high school, and I'm trying to get over being nervous and find Deaf socials to go to. You should too!
I love this video because you sign slow but fast enough at the same time. In my last video I was both praised and critiqued for signing pretty slow but I honestly don’t think it should matter how fast or slow someone signs to say if they’re good or not in ASL
I have a friend who signs super fast in PSE but slows way down when he tries to sign in ASL. He was mainstreamed so the order of the words he reads were how he signs, he's had more people pick on him for his signing than I have for being the hearing girl in the room. I keep getting told that events when alcohol is involved are fun and that it's basically impossible to find a mean person after everyone's had their first drink. looking forward to my first bar crawl on the 20th!
I've been trying to learn ASL for a while now. I'm Autistic, and have serious issues communicating verbally. But I'm hearing, and I never ever want to intrude in a space that's not meant for me. But it's been difficult learning ASL without really having anyone to practice with. It's also difficult because I'm constantly told how body language and facial expressions are extremely important when using ASL, and those are things I struggle with often.
around 3:45 in, I notice you used two index finger point up, it kind of look like two people walking instead of one. I recommend use CL 3 shape, you know, asl #3, and sweep them back and forth, not up and down. or just use one index finger up and move it forward to show one person walking forward. you can even move it side to side to show "person weave through crowd" kind of thing.
The video helps! And I've found what you're saying to be true. It's all good - say hi, and shake it off if a group doesn't really click with you. Thanks for the video :)
This is my first time seeing your video. I'm a hearing person, but learning ASL since 2011. I STILL haven't been brave enough to attend an Event. Actually I tried once when a Deaf friend was in town. But the event was happening the next week. 😯 We were so disappointed. My son also took an ASL course after I did. Now we have started a Deaf Ministry at our Church. But we need to meet people to join us and lead us to make the Ministry great! I will continue to watch you for more excellent advice. I want to say thanks to you and your viewers for giving me the push I need to find and attend some events!!!!!!
I'm hearing trying to learn ASL. I had a deaf couple come into my store and I attempted ASL. I was nervous like you were but hopefully they come back and I can work on it more.
I think this is really cool! I'm hearing, but I'm learning ASL in school. I've been wanting to get involved with the deaf community around my area, but I've been scared about what they might think since I'm hearing :/ I don't want them to think I'm trying to infringe on the community as a whole, I just love the language and the people.
I get super discouraged about signing. I'm trying to somewhat teach myself because nowhere around me offers sign language classes. when I try to communicate or do the little bit of sign that I know people always look at me like I'm stupid. it makes me not want to learn.. but I try anyways.
Thanks I love this and can understand it fully I am profoundly deaf in one ear and fully deaf in the other thanks this has made me understand what they think I'm learning to sign and I can lip read but my speak is not great
Your signing is amazing! I am just learning ASL and since you go slower, I could understand you! Your fluidity is also very visually pleasing.
When I talked with a friend about being nervous to get involved in the Deaf community with my minimal signing skills she shared this with me "Learning to sign without interacting with Deaf people, is like learning to swim without water." -Bill Vicars. Its something that has stuck with me ever since and I remember it when I am scared about going to new events. I am so thankful for the friends I have made and the people I have met thanks to the Deaf community. Also great job on the video Rikki!
This. As a hearing father of a HoH daughter I was also very nervous about going to Deaf events. Upon going I discovered a) most Deaf are appreciative and patient of your efforts to learn ASL, and b) there are mostly nice people and some real a@@holes in any community, Deaf included. Just put on your 'Determined Rikki' face and persevere. You'll make friends and increase in skill as time goes on. Thank you for this video.
+Mark Sykes
Good for you for testing the waters with your daughter! A lot of parents insist on raising their Deaf or HOH children to hide their disability and solely go mainstream. You sound encouraging. And I thought of what she said about saying, "Fine! I'll go make friends over there!"---if anybody is intentionally rude to you for not being fluent in ASL, it's not because you aren't fluent, it's because they're in a bad mood or the two of you just do not click. This happens in the Hearing world, it can happen in the Deaf world, the Blind world, pretty much in any social group.
@@xFictionAficionadax not true. My parents raised me as an oral deaf with academic mainstreaming all the way through college. I was raised primarily with Cued Speech (and SEE/ASL for substitute interpreters) interpreting, remote note-takers, and an in class aide. While this isn't the usual route most parents of deaf children typically took in the late 1970s, I believe it is so much better than the Total Communication/Deaf institutions (or state school) route that was available at the time. I know things have improved in the 2000s for young deaf children, but parents need to see there are other options like the way I was raised. I graduated from an university that isn't deaf oriented. I've completely lost my train of track at this point, but I assume you get the gist of what I'm trying to get across this late in the day. But my parents NEVER hid my deafness. They fought the school boards, and the state education department, from Elementary to High school in the 90s to give me the same education as a hearing child. Honestly the academics at the deaf schools were pretty dismal at that time.
"Fine... I'll make friends over there"... I LOVE that, such an awesome attitude, Rikki. Totally awesome
After watching this video I'm pretty satisfied with myself because I understood almost everything you signed without turning the captions on! Also, it was enjoyable to watch, so do more of this, even if you aren't fluent yet! :)
Yes!
i love it when you sign. it seems much more you.
weirdly she seems more comfortable.
+Hekla Eir yes i thought so too :)
Yes! I was about to say that! I love when she recalled when she was walking to the building.
I am new to your channel. my son was born deaf he just turned 1 on Monday. I am learning sign language so I can teach him. I have to say you are pretty fluent to me. I hope to be able to have conversations with deaf people as my son grows up. I also want him to be able to use his voice as well. I don't want him to feel cornered communicating with hearing people and deaf people.
Speech therapy is a great idea. Im not deaf but I know a great grip on deaf culture and the only thing I wouldnt push is the cochlear implant. I know its better when theyre little but the surgery is irreversable
You know, going to my first deaf night at a coffee shop made me realize that getting to know people and having more confidence in myself around hearing people should be waaaaay easier than I make it seem. It helped my confidence immensely. And then that in turn helped me open up more to be comfortable around people who sign. It took almost 6 months, but I learned! And I will be forever grateful.
great video! I remember this cool quote ~ fear is always worse than reality itself. your signing is wonderful! keep it up!
You looked like a natural ASL communicator, Rikki! You emanate pure confidence, too.
I just adore you!! I'm Swedish and love SSL and ASL, and we are teaching our 1 year old "baby signs" and are going to learn SSL since my husband has a syndrome called Ehlers Danlos syndrome that in his case causes problems with his ligaments in his ears causing hearingloss :) So over the past 10 years he has gone from 20% hearingloss to about 50% and will probably be completely deaf in the next 10-20 years, so we need to learn SSL before that happens ^_^
Thank you for being a fun and great inspiration :D
Rikki Poynter I had no idea we had any Swedish deaf/HoH people on RUclips! Thank you for the tip!
Hello Rikki, my name is Terry Dufresne and I am deaf from North Bay, Ontario (4 hours north of Toronto) and I really enjoy watch lot of your RUclips Videos and this one you have lot of courage and you are part of deaf community now just as you just got new friend from me :)
Hi! I just arrived here from the collab you did with Tommy Edison. I know exactly how you feel when it comes to being nervous and scared. I took ASL classes because I wanted to become an interpreter. I came to realize that was not going to happen. I can sign better than I can understand. My teachers and I would hang out in the lunchroom before class; and they would tease me that I would just sit there and nod my head. Not unlike Deaf ppl when they are out with hearing friends who don't sign. :)
I am glad that I took the classes. It started because one of my best friends as a kid was Deaf. There are several times that I ended up in an ER with a panic attack, and, while I could not speak, I could sign. It is also good for Autistic ppl to learn to sign, in my opinion.
Thanks for the great video!
Shala
Rikki you're my inspiration for learning more sign language ! I'm not deaf but I love ASL and the deaf community. Hope to see more vlogs !
I swear I thought I was the only one who was nervous for not being as fluent in ASL, but I've always just taken a breath and gone forth regardless. I have an easier time understanding others when they sign than actually signing myself, so that's an advantage. I'm proud of you for trying! Doing these events can be frightening.
Lol, Thank you so very much for this video! I am recently deaf and learning to sign and OMGOODNESS I am Freaking out! I feel like such an idiot because I know very little asl and I too worry about what everyone will think specially the Deaf and HOH communities. I am very sarcastic when I get uncomfortable and I am worried about offending anyone by using the wrong sign or wrong facial expressions! I love the idea of the wine though for calming down...haha like the bottle or 3. Thank you again for your video.
Brenda
How did you went deaf?
Love to see your comment. Yeah man if wine is needed... Cheers!
I came here from your video talking about transitioning into signing. Now, I am incredibly lucky, because I do not have a disability, but I have, and do, study languages. From the video I just watched, I know that you did not learn signing early, and that you have not been doing it for long. I am incredibly impressed. I cannot say anything about the quality of the actual signing, as I do not understand ASL myself, but what impresses me is that you are doing it in a video, putting yourself out there. I know you already were doing youtube orally, but as you have said yourself, that is the way you have always spoken. I don't do videos myself, but if I did, I would not feel comfortable doing it in any languages other than Norwegian or English, both of which I speak completely fluently. The fact that you are putting yourself out there is inspiring. Not just for learners of ASL or other sign languages, but learners of any language.
Thank you for being on RUclips and for helping to educate people. It is great for those of us on the outside to be able to understand more, and avoid potentially embarrassing ourselves.
Rikki Poynter "putting yourself out there" was actually not in reference to you being deaf. It was in reference to what most of my comment was talking about: language learning. And using a language that you are not yet completely comfortable with on a RUclips video, rather than just in your daily life. I figured that would be implied, but I could clearly have spelled that out more.
Great job Rikki. You should be proud of yourself. Having courage doesn't mean not being nervous or scared it means doing something in spite of these things.
Even though you aren't fluent I feel like in the videos where you sign you really enjoy communicating that way, it's cool that you both talk and sign now (even if your signing requires work) because 1) you have the option and 2) you deserve to be a part of the Deaf community. I think also the expression that comes with signing makes your personality shine. It's great.
That was great. You should do more ASL vlogs.
+Rikki Poynter Great I loved this one, hope more are coming!
so cool to see you sign a vlog. your signing has improved a ton! thanks for doing Deaf awareness videos Rikki
I just wanted to ask how do I respect fully join a Deaf conversation. I don't want to come across as that hearing person who is just using someone to practice. I genuinely want to make friends. I've been to many Deaf events but I usually get stuck with ASL students who just end up speaking. I don't know if I should just go and tap someone or just walk into a group conversation, that seems very rude. Could you maybe make a video about Deaf vs Hearing cultural differences?
I think the more eager you are the mord eager you will appear, and at least in my case my Deaf friends try to include me simply because I stand in theirgroups and actively get to engage. I used to feel like "that word hearing person" but they don't usually judge if you are genuinely trying to learn and keep up. You must tell them when you don't understand and you'll find yourself apologizing a lot when you're impatient with yourself, but i think it's a lot like many any new friends. You just kind of have to assert yourself and be real and ask questions and actually TRY to use youwhat signs you know. Don't be afraid to ask for repeats, and the nice ones will Havre no problem spelling out words you haven't learned yet. And whole you're practicing leaning vocabulary, continually ALWAYS always practice your finger spelling. If you can improve your fingerspelling comprehension you can overcome most vocabulary barriers.
Hey! Just want to say I'm so grateful for these types of videos and thanks for putting it up bc I am just learning ASL and stuff like this really helps my receptive skills -- fully fluent people are just a lil too quick for where I am at right now. Really appreciate the upload... I was able to follow with no cc's, good exercise!!
I love seeing you sign! I hope you do more videos like this!!! Also love the content of this video! As a hearing person who can communicate in ASL, but isn't fluent, I sometimes let the nerves keep me from getting more involved in the Deaf community even though I'm really passionate about it. Thanks again for this!
You've made a lot of improvements with your signing in such a short time! Your personality shines when you sign. I've been in and out of the Deaf community for almost my whole life and I still get nervous when socializing with those with stronger ties in the Deaf community.
hi! i'm hearing and i've been taking completely immersive asl classes in college for over a year now. i was in musical that was performed in english and asl, and signing with our Deaf audiences was really fun. it's totally okay to make mistakes, and i think most Deaf people who know sign are more than accepting than you may think. keep up the good work!
i'm not deaf but I've been learning a lil bit of asl in the last months and I'm very happy now because you sign in a way that I can pretty much understand!
so keep up the work, I would love to see more asl vlogs from you.
This is so cool! I took an ASL course in college, but I was always too scared to go to any of the events they would try to get us to go to. I recognized some of what you were saying, and learned some new signs too! Glad to see it's something you plan on continuing.
I went to my first Deaf event when I was 16 years old! I was very nervous but Deaf people were so nice to me and signed slow for me :) I grew up mainstream so it was so nice to meet Deaf friends!
I loved it when you pulled out an invisible inhaler! It gets the point across! I attend a Deaf group at a friends house regularly. (I’m hearing) There is a Deaf man who tells stories amazingly well by using that type of visually descriptive gesturing. It makes it really easier for us ASL beginners to follow along.
You are doing great! You should sign in more if your videos!
I've been there like...A lot. I'm pretty hard of hearing, more in one side than the other, and I've been learning ASL for a little under a year by now... I went to my first ever silent coffee with an ASL club, and I was worried as hell. I didn't even want to sit down with everyone when I realized they probably signed better than me, were probably more fluent, and I would make mistakes. Plus, I didn't know how many of them were hearing and how many were not, and I was afraid to feel like I didn't fit in with other Deaf people. Once I sat down though and was able to communicate with some other people using ASL, I felt so much better about it. I was telling them I was nervous but they helped me out. It's worth trying out a Deaf event if you're just learning to sign. Some people might be rude but the majority are really nice.
This video made me happy. I personally am a hearing person but I was born deaf. Somehow they managed to help me regain my hearing in my childhood. Despite that, I've always wanted to become a part of the community as an ally or something, but my ASL is horrendous and talking with d/Deaf people always makes me feel nervous. This video makes me feel a little more confident to reach out (that's even true for this comment, considering I've been wanting to comment for a long time but have been too nervous to say anything)
Thank you, Rikki ^^
I went thru the same thing. I was freaking nervous going to my 1st deaf community event. it was awesome and fun. going back on 2/18/2017 for dingo. I am excited met wonderful people .
as a progressively HoH guy, I was/still am mainstreamed and I get so nervous with the deaf community because I know my asl is NOT fluent! It really does help to know that the deaf community is really diverse and I am not the only one who isn't a native signer. So far no one has really judged me that much- but I still get nervous sometimes haha! Thanks for this great video. It is nice to know there are other people like me haha.
please make more of these ASL vlogs. They REALLY help me with understanding ASL better :)
I honestly love this video so much. I'm an ASL student and I'm hearing, so I'm around Deaf and Hard of Hearing people a lot, and it's great, but at the same time, I ALWAYS get nervous because my signing isn't as fluent and I worry that some people will hate me because I'm not Deaf or because my signing isn't as good, and I've noticed that A LOT of other people in my classes for the same major feel the same way.
You are improving, I applause for that Rikki. You are on your journey, in searching for your true identity and finding your culture in the Deaf community. Please know that you are warmly welcomed, even long before you knew it and as for anyone who want to socialize with us Deaf and Hard of Hearing community please know that we would more than welcome you all. We are more than happy to teach American Sign Language, we as Deaf and Hard of Hearing community teaches American Sign Language. Learning our language from us is more authentic than it would be from any hearing people hence that language were developed by none other than us in many generations or centuries. Nonetheless, Rikki. Great job and keep on improving.
when signing "nervous", I recommend using two "g" pointing down, like the q, but shape it like heels if you get what I mean... your index and thumb sticking out and pointing down. then, take your dominant hand and shake it a little bit. That's how I sign it. I see your sign for nervous alot, but try shaking just one hand and keep the other still. it'll show "freeze" and "shake nerves" at the same time.
I was born with hearing loss and my hearing has gotten so much worse over the years. I've been learning asl. The first time I went to a deaf event I was so nervous. But, then when I went I had so much fun and everyone was so nice and welcoming. :)
I love this! I'm in an ASL Interpreting program currently, at like an ASL 3 level. You will help me learn! I'm trying to immerse myself in Deaf culture. Keep it up (:
I love this! That's exactly how I feel. I sweat, I'm so nervous...I all of a sudden can't FS for crap.
I'm so interested by how different our signs are. I know signs vary from region, but I totally like your sing for "wine" much better than the one I learned. It was really subtle stuff like "all", "wine", "drunk", I can't remember what else now.
Rikki, because of YOUR channel... I took a course in Sign Language. You & your videos inspired me to take the next step in my life. My new classes start in three weeks & I'm super excited. Thank you very berry cherry much for the awesomeness that you ARE. Stay Badass 😀
i’m so happy!!!! i turned the captions off and i understood what you were saying!!!!!
Oh, Rikki! I am so disappointed that I didn't make it to this event. I ended up having to do an emergency job-saving intervention for a client of mine that night. i would love to have met you and tell you the impact your videos make on my hearing co-workers, they love your videos - funny but educational esp how hearies act around Deaf. Ask Cat to let me know when you're in town, please?
I think you did very well. I understood all of it. I grew up orally and hearing aides and then a cochlear implant. I did not know about the Deaf community until I met a classmate who is CODA. They helped me learn ASL and helped if I didn't understand the teacher. The first time I went over to their house, I notice a lot of stuff like ASL, flashing lights for doorbell, and the most amazing thing, closed captioning on the TV. I didn't even know there was such a thing. I also found there was a Deaf institute only an hour from where I lived, my friend parents and my friend tried to get my parents to let me go. and my dad wanted me but HER (I have an abusive relationship with my person I came out of too.) anyway, I didn't get to go but that's OK, because I got to learn about my world through my friend.
I really needed this video. Thank you so much, Rikki. So, today I went to a meet up with a group of people for asl and I was really really nervous. I signed a bit. Mostly watched because it was my first day and super nervous. But yeah, in the end I had a lot of fun and learned a few new words. I've only studied for 2 weeks lol. I did come across thoughts of like, "man, maybe they think my signing will suck." One of the ladies there was nice and noticed I was scared. Told me to just sign and have fun.
It's so nice to see a video all in ASL thank you so much for this video
hi Rikki, I love watching you sign! I'm not deaf but I started to learn the language in college! it's so awesome to see your comedy shine through your signing and facial expressions! not to mention I love sailor moon as well and I live in NC you rock girl!!
I'm gonna do my BEST plus 150% more. Please just know THAT your videos inspire people to be better. Your smile, your attitude & your everything else makes people strive to BE better. YOU TOTALLY made an impact in THIS world, know that 😀
The way you sign reminds me of Marlee Matlin. The way she signs is like so pretty. The confidence in her "speaking" is out of this world!
Oh wow thank you!
Don't worry about it, girl. I was mainstreamed my whole life right through college. My ASL sucks as I, mostly, use SEE. It's all good. Just ignore the judgers/haters and just be you. Life is short and who cares?
Hey. This is my favourite of your videos so far. I love to see you using ASL 'cause you are super expressive with your eyes, face.. your whole body is talking. It is like to see a completely different person from your oral videos. I am a hearing person not native English speaker as you might notice already and I am learning ASL because I am working as an English teacher in Thailand for kindergarten and elementary school. Even me I am still learning English by teaching (different story). I have a 7 years old deaf student at my school so I started to learn ASL to teach him English with signs and include him in the classes. His parents didn't want me to teach him signs since they want him to talk, but is soo hard for him to feel included in a hearing class. Still I was teaching to the whole class as much as I was learning. Now all my students from the school know basic ASL and they love it. And when we play hangman to learn new vocabulary they fingerspell to discover the word. Suddenly the classroom got more silent. Is so great to use signs to teach a second language and now they translate the signs straight into English without passing through Thai. For me, having this student was a gift, I saw him as a great opportunity to learn another language and wanting to learn more and more. Now I spend a bunch of time watching deaf content from you and Jessica Flores and Sharing with heart and Duo Sign. Sometimes is a bit complex to use ASL with my students since the structure is different and I still need to teach them grammar structure in English. Now I am going back to Colombia and feel divided since I already start learning ASL and want to keep going, but also want to learn CSL from Colombia since it could be more useful to serve in my community. I guess even among Hispanic countries there are a lot of differences to sign things as they are a lot of differences with words meanings even in Spanish. Anyway, all this to say that this video is very inspiring and makes me want to study and practice more and more. Thanks for sharing your experience. It's always a big step to say F U to your nerves.
Lol!!! Literally me every time I go to a Deaf community meeting in my town! The nerves are real!
I LOVED THE VIDEO!! Because I don't have a way to go to take ASL classes, I am just learning by myself at home, and I loved your video :) Please make more videos like this
I love your story time videos! Your sense of humor is great. Recently at my school, an ASL club has started after school and I was so excited to finally have a way to consistently learn ASL in a way other than the internet. But turns out I already have a commitment the day that it runs :( But! I've been talking to some of the members and they said that they'll see about changing the day next year so I can participate! I really hope I can do it because I've been wanting to learn at least basic sign language for a long time.
I'm hearing, but I love learning ASL. I'm currently taking the second class for ASL and I'm in love with it! I went to a Deaf event (a silent dinner) and it was so scary but so fun! I didn't understand most of what they were signing, (because it was at the time where I was only a few months into learning ASL) but they were super helpful and nice. I definitely want to go to more Deaf events and meet Deaf friends!! This is such an encouraging and lovely video! :D
I haven't practiced signing in a while (dumb hearing person over here) and it was a really awesome refresher to see you sign and I was glad because for the most part I didn't need to read the text boxes. only when they were in the way! Good luck with becoming completely fluent!
You should do more all ASL videos!!! I'm learning ASL right now and your videos are super helpful. BTW I love you so much!
You sign perfectly. I'm deaf and i understand you completely. Your sign is really good and pretty
Thank you for this video! I relate to the nervousness so much! I'm hearing but I am learning asl in school and I like to go to deaf events (besides I have to for an assignment), and in fact I'm going to something tonight, and I'm already nervous, hours before! I'm glad I'll have my friend with me.
I love this. You're amazing, Rikki.
Omfg, i love your facial expressions sooo much 😂😂. You are not that bad at signing, keep it up XD
you're so funny! I love your facial expressions when you sign!
This video is so relatable, thanks for sharing!
youre soo funny and i love how much personality you show in your signing as well as your speaking voice. perhaps im just used to the relatively stoic signing of my asl teacher (since I'm not yet involved in the Deaf community or know any other signing people) but i just really love the way you sign things
I've been trying to learn ASL by self teaching and I know a lot, but don't have much practice with talking or having conversations and these videos are helpful! So I would love more videos in just ASL because it helps a lot with my practicing ! Thank you sooo much you're so inspiring and I love all your videos 😊😊💖
I really love your videos 🙂 you are so expressive when you do ASL and I think that's awesome! I actually have a hearing appointment on the 23rd of this month because for many years I've struggled with my hearing and sometimes when I talk to people it becomes very difficult to talk to them,like my hearing will all of a sudden drown out and do like a pop sensation and that's when it gets hard to hear myself talk and my voice kind of slurs.So I hope I get some answers soon.
Second time I watch this vid. Really nice to se you have evolved your sign! It's like I've done too. Born HOH and deaf from an accident and had to relearn from scratch.
One more thing: I LOVE your channel
I really enjoyed watching this video. I only know a little ASL myself, but was pretty pleased with the number of signs that I could recognize (though I did watch it with the captions, which certainly made it easier)! It's a language I've always been interested in, but not something I've ever had really opportunity to learn, so I only know a smattering of signs that I've taught myself. And despite warning not to use it is a study guide, I did pick up a couple more signs (ie. nervous, wine).
I'm hearing but I loved the video. I first started watching you and you pretty much knew no ASL. Keep it up, great job!
I love watching these videos because you really get into your signing! Nothing irks me more than when people (usually hearing) sign with a blank face. ¬_¬
I enjoyed this! A few times you made me laugh out loud (I rarely do this, partly because I'm like what's the point of making sound? :P ), and you did great! I look forward to seeing more signed videos :)
OMG You're so funny. I enjoyed this video!! Hopefully I can find more ASL vlogs from you and subscribe!
i loved this video. i am not deaf or hoh so im always nervous to go to different events like silent dinners. i always feel like i dont belong or like im intruding. but once i go in and talk to some people i feel alot better because most are really accepting and understand the only way to truly learn ASL is to immerse yourself into the culture and community. you should make more vids in all ASL :)
i dont feel deaf enough to go to events like that. I've a fully hearing ear and a deaf one. (i didn't feel deaf enough for hearing aid either but i couldn't do without)
and I can only spell the alphabet poorly
+Rikki Poynter Exactly! :D
I am friends with 3 people who are fully hearing in one ear and deaf in the other and they are fully involved and accepted within the Deaf community! You never know until you try it out
Yeah, I agree with Gabby Brock. You don't have to be "deaf enough". There are hearing people who are and want to be involved in the Deaf community because Deaf Culture is awesome!! I'm hearing. I learned ASL in high school, and I'm trying to get over being nervous and find Deaf socials to go to. You should too!
I love this video because you sign slow but fast enough at the same time. In my last video I was both praised and critiqued for signing pretty slow but I honestly don’t think it should matter how fast or slow someone signs to say if they’re good or not in ASL
I have a friend who signs super fast in PSE but slows way down when he tries to sign in ASL. He was mainstreamed so the order of the words he reads were how he signs, he's had more people pick on him for his signing than I have for being the hearing girl in the room. I keep getting told that events when alcohol is involved are fun and that it's basically impossible to find a mean person after everyone's had their first drink. looking forward to my first bar crawl on the 20th!
I've been trying to learn ASL for a while now. I'm Autistic, and have serious issues communicating verbally. But I'm hearing, and I never ever want to intrude in a space that's not meant for me. But it's been difficult learning ASL without really having anyone to practice with. It's also difficult because I'm constantly told how body language and facial expressions are extremely important when using ASL, and those are things I struggle with often.
around 3:45 in, I notice you used two index finger point up, it kind of look like two people walking instead of one. I recommend use CL 3 shape, you know, asl #3, and sweep them back and forth, not up and down. or just use one index finger up and move it forward to show one person walking forward. you can even move it side to side to show "person weave through crowd" kind of thing.
love this, also slightly pissed (drumk) from a couple of shots happy dunk tho 😂😉
you did great, Rikki!
The video helps! And I've found what you're saying to be true. It's all good - say hi, and shake it off if a group doesn't really click with you. Thanks for the video :)
This is my first time seeing your video. I'm a hearing person, but learning ASL since 2011. I STILL haven't been brave enough to attend an Event. Actually I tried once when a Deaf friend was in town. But the event was happening the next week. 😯 We were so disappointed. My son also took an ASL course after I did. Now we have started a Deaf Ministry at our Church. But we need to meet people to join us and lead us to make the Ministry great! I will continue to watch you for more excellent advice. I want to say thanks to you and your viewers for giving me the push I need to find and attend some events!!!!!!
I'm hearing trying to learn ASL. I had a deaf couple come into my store and I attempted ASL. I was nervous like you were but hopefully they come back and I can work on it more.
I don't know ASL at all, but I really enjoyed this video, and seeing the similarities (and wild differences) with BSL!
Please do more like this so much better than reading captions!!!
Sign was my first language and I hate when people think I'm deaf. I'm not but sign language is a well known language for me.
Wonderful video! you're a natural storyteller!
I love you for making this video. Thanks very much
I think this is really cool! I'm hearing, but I'm learning ASL in school. I've been wanting to get involved with the deaf community around my area, but I've been scared about what they might think since I'm hearing :/ I don't want them to think I'm trying to infringe on the community as a whole, I just love the language and the people.
I really enjoyed this video!
My asl gets rusty too when I haven't seen my deaf friends in a while
this helped me so much 😊 thank you!
Ok so this was the first video in all asl that I understand and made me feel better about eventually meeting my deaf friend in person
When I go to deaf events it’s like all of my sign language goes out the window
I get super discouraged about signing. I'm trying to somewhat teach myself because nowhere around me offers sign language classes. when I try to communicate or do the little bit of sign that I know people always look at me like I'm stupid. it makes me not want to learn.. but I try anyways.
Thanks I love this and can understand it fully I am profoundly deaf in one ear and fully deaf in the other thanks this has made me understand what they think I'm learning to sign and I can lip read but my speak is not great
Congrats on your progress in learning ASL :)
I'm learning asl in highschool rn and I want to get really good at it. I really hope I can find the time to go to a deaf event