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Original poster

Can born hearing people learn BSL properly?

7 replies

AffIt · 20/08/2023 15:09

Firstly, my apologies if my use of the term 'born hearing' is incorrect: what I mean is people who do not have significant hearing or hearing-related speech challenges.

I enjoy learning new languages and have a natural ability (I speak fluent French and Spanish, B1 German and Italian and conversational Russian, as well as English) and I'd like a new challenge.

My question is is can people (particularly outwith the 'language acquisition window') learn BSL to a decent standard, or will non-hearing impaired people inevitably fall back to speech?

OP posts:
Rummikub · 20/08/2023 15:20

I guess it’ll depend on how much you can immerse yourself in it.

i don’t think that’s a reason to not learn bsl. It’s a great language to learn.

AtlasPine · 20/08/2023 15:23

It’s hard to learn and remember when you don’t have someone to use it with.

it has regional variances and lots of slang/colloquial short cuts. I think having it as a second language when you aren’t using it a lot with those who have it as a first language will always be evident to first language users.

ThePoetsWife · 20/08/2023 15:28

Odd question.

Did you know that BSL interpreting is a recognised profession with qualifications and registration required to become one. How do you think they learn BSL properly?!

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/08/2023 15:32

AtlasPine · 20/08/2023 15:23

It’s hard to learn and remember when you don’t have someone to use it with.

it has regional variances and lots of slang/colloquial short cuts. I think having it as a second language when you aren’t using it a lot with those who have it as a first language will always be evident to first language users.

When I learnt it we were encouraged to go attend 'Deaf Club' which was held in a community hall once a month, plenty of opportunity to chat to people and realise how bloody hard it is! We had a trip on the Thames once, that's was an absolute riot and I got chatted up by such a nice bloke in sign obviously ..big swoon,I'm married though!

Go for it!!

CarolinaInTheMorning · 20/08/2023 15:47

Did you know that BSL interpreting is a recognised profession with qualifications and registration required to become one. How do you think they learn BSL properly?!

This is certainly true of American Sign Language. One of my closest friends is an ASL interpreter, and she learned it as an adult. However, a significant number of ASL interpreters in the US are "CODAS" (hearing child of Deaf adults) for whom ASL is their first language.

LollipopViolet · 20/08/2023 16:26

Like any language, fluency comes with practice. I think it's possible to get to a very good standard, but you have to have opportunities to use it. As others have said, the regional variations and slang can be a tricky thing to navigate as well.

LakeTiticaca · 20/08/2023 16:34

ThePoetsWife · 20/08/2023 15:28

Odd question.

Did you know that BSL interpreting is a recognised profession with qualifications and registration required to become one. How do you think they learn BSL properly?!

That is correct. My former next door neighbours daughter is a BSL translater

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