Is this culture appropriation?

[u/Life_Reply_3978]

So I know that this question is asked a lot and Im just worried with the sensitivity and awareness around this subject is high these days. I just do not want to offend anyone.

First off, I am learning ASL to help teach my daughter to communicate better and to minimize frustrations since she picks up gestures very well.

Of course, Ive always been interested in learning, since Im big on learning about others cultures, but this is a big motivator for why Im learning.

I want to frame it as another language, since after some research and learning that baby sign is actually cultural appropriation. I am seriously hoping to not only help my daughter to communicate as she is two and struggles with speech, but to connect better with the people who communicate better with ASL (Hard of hearing, Deaf, and Blind(?)).

I just feel like teaching my hearing Daughter ASL could be something that offends people. I want to also note that I am learning through an app called ASL Bloom and plan to further that learning with ASL classes.

I feel as though its not very common for non verbal kids and autistic kids to know sign language. At least its less heard of so, I feel like it can be considered as appropriation.

Anyways, bottom line, I do not want to offend anyone by learning another language to help my daughter communicate. I just worry that this is going to be a argument when shes older and I feel as though Im in the wrong, when the whole reason for this language is to communicate.

[u/RemyJe]

The only issue with “Baby Sign” is that you should just teach ASL, and call it that.

[u/CrunchyBewb → u/RemyJe]

There's no issue with baby signs at all, especially because motor skills develop before verbal language.
A baby cannot learn ASL the same way a baby cannot learn English right away, they need words first or signs first.

[u/RemyJe → u/CrunchyBewb]

Of course. You misunderstand. I’m not saying “don’t teach babies to sign.” I’m saying don’t think of it as “Baby Sign.” My brother and his wife taught my three CODA nephews to sign, just by using ASL, taking into account, of course, that they were babies, the same way hearing parents do with their babies. I’m not suggesting full-on conversations.

[u/TheKid1995]

There are studies that show teaching children to sign (hearing or deaf) decreases their overall frustration.

Also I don’t speak for the Deaf community as I was raised in a hearing environment and am unfamiliar with Deaf culture. But I’m still a Deaf person. And speaking as a Deaf person, I personally like when hearing people make an effort to learn sign. Spoken communication is so insanely frustrating for me, and the more people can sign, the more people I can communicate with without that frustration

[u/sureasyoureborn]

This question got asked earlier. Learning a language is not cultural appropriation.

But as a follow up you should work with an SLP that specializes in different communication models. ASL works great for some nonverbal kids, but it requires a signing population for them to communicate properly. There are other options that could support sign & other communication methods.

[u/moedexter1988]

This kind of post should be in FAQ. Tired of seeing "I don't mean to offend..." posts. Ghosts aren't real, there isn't an ASL ghost haunting you every moment you tried to sign with your daughter. Nobody really cares.

[u/Whole-Bookkeeper-280 → u/moedexter1988]

That

[u/Spirited_Ad_7973]

I work with autistic kids, and while them completely knowing asl is uncommon, I’ve definitely known some nonverbal/semi nonverbal kids who understand basic sign or will sign basic necessities to help them communicate.

I don’t know much about ASL bloom, but I’ve been using Lifeprint to supplement my learning in classes; put together by a Deaf teacher with a great sense of humor. Consider checking out out!

[u/ocherthulu]

You are fine. Keep doing it. We need more not fewer ASL signers (among the many other sign languages).

[u/HeHimInGrayi]

I have situational mutism and learning ASL is finally helping me feel like I can communicate and have control of how I come off even when I can’t speak. Especially without needing to write or type. Nothing about that is wrong and I feel like what you’re doing is extremely smart. I have ASL Bloom, but I’ve been informed that it’s pretty formal at times. It definitely can help, especially with thinking in ASL instead of English; however Bill Vicars on YouTube is the ultimate resource. Even if you take classes, he will most definitely end up coming up at some point. He has all his lessons free to watch and organized in playlists. (Aka I put him above ASL Bloom)

I’m hearing so of course I can’t speak for anyone deaf or HoH. But, I’ve never heard of learning a language being considered cultural appropriation. Especially when it’s literally for communicating. Of course make sure that you’re prepared to teach both English and ASL. They are different languages after all and it’s important to make sure your child has the chance to grow in English fluency as she grows up more as well. The struggles now may not be the same in the future.

One last thing though is to make sure you only teach what you’re confident in and to find resources for kids as well. Worst case scenario is you teach a sign that isn’t right in the early stages where it’s then difficult to reteach. But ofc that’s just language learning 101 lol. Don’t teach what you don’t know. But hey, best of luck

[u/Surfergirl321]

Bill Vicars is great for learning; I use his Lifeprint ASL University website. Also, look up theaslshop on Instagram and their website and the InterSignASL mobile app. 

[u/Surfergirl321]

I never thought about it until recently, but from my realization and what deaf/hard of hearing folks on Reddit/social media have confirmed is that it's best not to teach baby sign and just teach ASL (proper signs) and that little kids will probably still modify the signs anyway depending on what's best/easiest for them based on their current fine motor skills and will do the signs properly as their fine motor skills advance as they age. When I teach/show my nephew the signs I know I only do the correct ASL sign, not baby sign. 

[u/Money_Reception]

To me it’s like teaching Spanish or French. It’s another language. Not a spoken one, but a whole language. We always benefit from learning more language. I think it’s just important to learn about the culture, too. And to learn from people who are fluent. My son is HOH in one ear and still uses English as his primary language, but who knows what the future holds? I want him to always be heard and always have community. We’ve already met a Deaf person on vacation and she was trying to communicate, so it was great for her to not have to accommodate us. Anytime I’m somewhere that English is not the primary language, it always feels so welcoming when someone tries to speak my language, so I imagine most people would feel that way!

[u/eclecticmeeple]

Hey you are overthinking here. I appreciate that you are trying to be respectful and all that but its perfectly fine to learn ASL.

Its cultural appropriation if you start to sell services of teaching ASL or products with ASL on them.

Whenever possible please support ASL platforms which are deaf owned, ASL classes taught by deaf teachers and so on. Support the community whose language you are learning.

Do those then you’re solid.

[u/CrunchyBewb]

Education is never appropriation.
Pretending to be Deaf is appropriation.

Hope this helps.