Myths of Sign Language Debunked

Myth One: Sign Language is just gestures. It's not a Language at all.

There is evidence that early humans started communicating in gestures. Later, the gestures developed into a proto Language and then a full-blown Language. Spoken language could have been developed in a similar fashion. For example, different grunts could mean different things. Then the grunts could have developed into more refined syllables used in a proto-language. Then finally, a full-blown spoken language could have developed. There could have been too many words to deal with and as a potential result, structure could have imposed on the words to be able to handle the multitude of words. At which point do grunts become words of a spoken language? At which point do gestures become signs of a sign language? There are too many grunts to assert that spoken language does not exist. Similarly, there are too many gestures to assert that sign language does not exist.

Myth Two: If sign language is iconic and photographic, then it couldn't be a language.

This kind of reasoning is illogical. According to research, iconic signs are still too abstract for non-signers to figure out. Only the most basic signs like EAT, DRINK, and SLEEP appear to be universal. There is no valid reason why a language couldn't be both iconic and abstract. English has some iconic, phonographic words, like the sounds that animals and things make, for example, cock-a-doodle-do, moo, woof, chime, ring, tick-tock, etc. That doesn't make them any less of a word than other words of English.

Myth Three: Sign language has no order or structure. For example, SVO order does not exist in American Sign Language (ASL).

There is research that found evidence of both order and structure in sign language. The structure and ordering of signs appear to follow the structure and ordering of words when there is a minimal use of space around the body to express concepts in parallel. There are various ways to use space to express more than one concept at a time. For example, a different group of signs called classifiers dictate the structure and ordering.

Myth Four: Sign language has a direct one to one correspondence to spoken language.

English has many words that mean the same thing. One sign in ASL can represent all these English words with essentially the same meaning, for example, beautiful, gorgeous, good-looking, etc. can all be signed with one ASL sign BEAUTIFUL. At the same time, different signs in ASL, like bipedal-RUN, quadpedal-RUN, OPERATE, MANAGE, COMPETE, etc, can represent the different meanings of the English word "run."

In addition, translations between ASL and English are not straightforward because of the use of space to express multiple concepts at the same time. This is akin to foreign language translations when words don't directly translate between each other.

Myth Five: Sign language is slower than spoken language.

Research has found that the use of space and other cognitive shortcuts in ASL make it comparable in speed to English. It is not slower or faster. It is just different.

Myth Six: Sign language is completely separate from spoken language.

There is a general trend to emphasize that sign language is completely separate from spoken language. I found evidence to the contrary. It is more likely that spoken language concepts, meanings, and cognitive structures influence the signed language. For example, in English, adjective come before nouns being described. This is apparent in ASL. In Spanish, adjectives come after nouns being described. This seems apparent in sign languages originating in Latin America.

Also, vocabulary concepts and idioms developed separately in sign language could be borrowed into spoken language by bilinguals. For example, some ASL interpreters say CHA and PAH! Another example is that the ASL idiom of TRAIN-GONE was published as a title of a Book, Train Go Sorry: Inside a Deaf World, by Leah Hager Cohen. Yet a final example is the ILY sign, used around the world by both hearing and deaf people as a virtually universal gesture.

Myth Seven: Sign language should be eradicated.

Sign language represents cultural knowledge, similar to the languages of the Native American Indians. It also has its advantages. The Navajo code talkers used their native language to communicate vital war plans during WWII. In a similar fashion, people can communicate in signs where spoken communication is not desired, practical, or feasible. For example, signs could be used in covert operations underwater or in outer space. Audio technology is needed to support spoken language in these situations and using it could blow their cover.

Tips About French Language Courses

Learning a new Language is not an easy feat and it gets harder as you get older. French Language courses can be a huge advantage to anyone who is interested in learning this vernacular. If you want to learn French for any reason, whether it is to help with a job, or to be able to travel and know that you will be able to converse with the local citizens, then French courses are the ticket.

French is one of the most spoken Languages around the world, after English, so deciding to learn it is a great choice. Now you just need to figure out which program is the best for you.

Now that you have decided to learn how to speak French, you will need to decide on the type of French courses to take. Learning this great Language in a classroom environment works very well for some people. Learning in a group and having a teacher available to help you with any questions you might have or to help you understand the correct pronunciation of words is a great advantage. However, this is not an option for everyone.

For those who cannot attend a classroom setting, there are many other resources available. Today, it is possible to purchase language courses on CDs or DVDs. This type of course allows the individual the benefit of being able to access the program whenever they choose.

It is also very useful when looking to review a lesson that you may have not understood very well. Language CDs and/or DVDs can be the ultimate language teacher simply because of the availability of the program.

Learning to speak French can be daunting, yet another great resource that can help you is the plethora of online courses. If you search the internet, then you can find many ways to learn French online that will be fun and helpful. The internet is full of schools that are accredited to teach languages courses.

You just need to research them and find the one that is going to fit your needs the best. Many of them don't have a strict timeline for you to follow, like traditional schools do, and this is ideal for a working person. French language courses that are taught online also let you study at your own pace, so there is no pressure to keep up with other students.

While we would all love to be able to learn French in France, unfortunately, this isn't always possible. But what you can do is find a program that defines the French language in a way that is easy to understand and to learn. Do some research, decide which of the many French language courses will work best for you and then enjoy learning your new patois.

Increasing Scope of Hindi Language

In the market place, demand for those who can use Hindi Language for better communication is much more. Nowadays most advertisements are made in Hindi. Hungry kyaa, Ye Dil Maange More, Yehi hai Right Choice baby! and many similar phrases have become the choice of the multinational companies like Coke and Pepsi for advertising their products.

The Language of media is becoming more inclusive of Hindi words. Several FM radio channels have opened new avenues for Hindi presentation. In fact, there is big demand for those who can creatively use Hindi Language for communications.

Tips for Self Improvement in Hindi Language

1. Have self confidence in your Hindi language creative abilities and keep on improving it.

2. Make maximum use of common usage Hindi words which are popular and regularly in use.

3. Link Hindi literature with political, social and economic conditions prevailing at the time of its writing. You will develop better logical reasoning abilities in this manner.

4. Increase your Hindi vocabulary by reading Hindi newspapers and magazines.

5. Learn to use Hindi on computers, internet and other communication devices.

HindiLearner.com can help you learn Hindi language.

The website provides Hindi language tutorials that follow a communicative approach to learning Hindi and uses a methodology for gradually and consistently developing Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening skills in the Hindi learner.

Language Learning - An Ongoing Process

Language learning is an ongoing process that never seems to end.  Even in your first Language, doesn't it seem like you're always discovering new ways of communicating that make your interactions better and more enriching?

We never stop learning.  For longtime English speakers, like me, for instance, there are always new words to pick up, old skills to remember and familiar concepts to see in a new light.  The more we learn, in fact, the deeper the pool of learning that seems to lay before us.

Even if you've already gained a decent amount of facility in a second Language, we always recommend keeping your old materials for it.  That's because, if you want to get better, you'll always need to continually learn, whether by taking new advanced courses or refreshing on old lessons.

A comprehensive Language learning software is one of the best materials you can use to aid in the process.  Filled with lessons and exercises for students of all levels, they offer potential use, regardless of what point you are in with your current development.

Fluency

If language facility is an ongoing process, when do we become fluent?  There are varying levels of fluency.  Just because you are fluent in a language, it doesn't mean you can stop learning.  Native French speakers are probably fluent by the time they're eight or nine.  Yet, that doesn't mean their skills in the vernacular can't further mature, does it?

It is better to enhance yourself more in learning a language.

Why Learn French - 5 Good Reasons to Learn the French Language

Why learn French when there is such a variety of foreign Languages to choose from? While being able to speak any foreign Language has its obvious advantages like the ability to travel to more countries and communicate with more people, knowing the French Language has its own benefits. So why learn French? Here are 5 excellent reasons that should motivate you to study it.

Why learn French: number of French speakers in the world
It is not just in France and in Quebec that the French Language is used: it is the official language of 32 countries spread over all 5 continents and is also spoken as a second language in many more places. There are 70 member countries of the International Organization of La Francophonie and 200 million French speakers all over the planet. This is largely due to the fact that France has been one of the main colonizing nations throughout history and a lot of foreign nations kept French as their main language after gaining their own independence back. Examples of French speaking countries, besides the obvious ones, are Haiti, French Guyana and many African countries such as Chad, Madagascar and Niger. In addition, this language is also used as one of several languages in some European countries such as Belgium and Switzerland. Even in the U.S. Cajun French, a derivative of the French language, is still spoken in some parts of Louisiana.

Why learn French: more job opportunities
With those 200 million French speakers and many more wanting to learn the language, there are many more job opportunities that are open to people who can speak it. The tourism and travel industries need French speakers; knowing this language means you can be a French teacher, get a job as a translator or an interpreter, and given the fact that the bulk of American imports and exports are made with countries whose official language is French, being able to speak this language can help you getting promoted or hired by many multinational corporations.

Why Learn French: Official language of international organizations
While English is the main language of many international organizations, French is also used as official language of the United Nations, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) and the European Community, to name just a few.

Why learn French: social advantages
Not only it is the language of romance, but knowing some French undeniably has some social advantages. When people know you can speak French, they are more inclined to think of you as an intelligent person than someone who can only speak English. Knowing how to speak French is useful when traveling or meeting people from other countries as this language may be the only way to communicate between you and the other person, even if this person's first language is not French.

Why learn French: cultural advantages
Lovers of literature should be able to read the works of their favourite French authors in their original versions: it just does not make sense to have to read the English translation of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" or "Les Fables" of La Fontaine. Likewise for classic movies: why watch a dubbed version of "Belle De Jour" when you can listen to the beautiful Catherine Deneuve speak French?

There are many reasons why a person should choose to learn a language other than his or her own native language. If you are still undecided on which foreign language to study, think of how widely the language is spoken throughout the world, its cultural influence and economic relations. Then instead of asking the question: "why learn French?" maybe you should ask yourself: "why not learn French?"

Communicative Strategies in a Second Language Learning

The communicative approach does not emphasize error correction; rather it emphasizes fluency and meaning or in more concrete terms, getting the meaning across. In the communicative approach, learners are introduced to a variety of conversational contexts, yet the target Language speakers are limited. There is also a limited time frame of classroom learning in these contexts yet second Language learners are not always encouraged to place emphasis on accuracy right away in the beginning.

What comes to mind therefore, are the five proposals for classroom learning according to Lightbrown and Spada. This article will focus on the two more talked about ones that have implications for learning and teaching. The ideal classroom learning situation evolves around both accuracy and meaning. The proposals of 'say what you mean and mean what you say,' which is based on an interactionist's view in that a negotiation of meaning and modified input, are the basic components of teaching methodology where the learners are encouraged to pursue clarification and confirmation questions in order to negotiate meaning. There is no emphasis on accuracy or form. The 'Just Listen' proposal does not encourage performance as it relies solely on comprehensible input through listening and reading skills. The proposal is idea for the silent learners who learns and communicates via the material within himself or herself. The criticism behind the proposals of 'Just Listen' and 'Say What You Mean' state that comprehensible levels of input and meaningful interaction are not enough to bring the learner to high levels of accuracy of second language learning.

The Behaviorist proposal however works differently in that it is based solely on accuracy and form with litle or no negotiation of meaning; therefore, it is redundant to conclude that the behaviorist proposal is successful for creating a balance between fluency and accuracy. Its teaching methodology rests on preventing errors before they become fossilized thus learners are encouraged to repeat and repeat with little emphasis on meaning.

The final proposal of 'Teach what is teachable' places a high emphasis on the learner learning the structures according to his or her internal syllabus and the order of second language acquisition. Within the frameworks of classroom proposals for teaching are the elements of content based words behind a communicative oriented input where the learner has to decode language but does not have to break the language. (code breaking) One of the main assumptions behind negotiation of meaning within the communicative approach is that learners should reach high levels of intelligibility and that they are capable of being understood in various contexts. In decoding, the main aim is on fluency and not on accuracy. Learners do not have to produce; the focus is on making use of content words, background knowledge in order to negotiate meaning. In code breaking on the other hand, the emphasis is on production where a learner is encouraged to use the forms correctly.

These proposals when connected to a language monitor model provide important implications for teaching a second language. In the monitor model, a learner who does not monitor his/her speech, shows developing level of competence whereas a learner who monitors his/her speech according to the target forms will eventually reach higher levels of second language accuracy.

Best French Language Software - The 4 Best French Language Software Packages Reviewed

Learning French is not as tough as you think, if you use the right course for your budget and learning style. Here are the 4 best French Language software packages available.

#1 Tell Me More French

Tell Me More is a relatively new player in the Language learning game, but made a big splash when they adopted speech recognition software to their package. Tell Me More French is one of the best French language software suites because of this feature and also because of the amount of content within; over 300 hours of French learning material. However Tell Me More language courses in general target intermediate to advanced speakers, with this course being no exception. This course it not for beginners. Another drawback is the interface, it's been designed in a frankly bizarre way that is by no means intuitive. Tell Me More is the best French language software for intermediate learners and above, beginners and people with a low tolerance for confusing interfaces should stay away.

#2 Rosetta Stone French

Rosetta Stone is another big player in the language learning field, they have also incorporated speech recognition software into their program. Rosetta Stone courses depend on word association, with pictures appearing and the relevant word in the target language appearing. It works because there is a sense of immersion involved, with no translation whatsoever, you are really made to think. Rosetta Stone is definitely one of the more expensive courses around, so it may not be the best French language software for a beginner.

#3 Michel Thomas French

Michel Thomas is different to the above courses, with no written text or actual reading at all, this course is focused exclusively on making you SPEAK French. This has definite advantages in that if that's all you want to do, then Michel Thomas will take you there faster than another course that involves reading and writing, and of course the opposite is true also. I put this course here because for some people it's going to be the best French language course for them.

#4 Rocket French

Rocket French is another new course which has elements of Michel Thomas and a few other courses in it. The audio section is just like Michel's and there are some software games and other learning devices. Overall for beginners Rocket French is probably the best French language software they can get, it's easy to figure out, affordable and it's quite entertaining, all of which are very important for beginners.