Spanish or American Sign Language?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>For my major, I am required to take eight hours of a foreign language (sign language counts as a foreign language at my school). I just can't decide which one to take. I know that it would be really good for me to learn Spanish and it could help when I'm job hunting. Sign language also seems like a good idea, though. </p>

<p>Which one, in your opinion, would employers prefer?</p>

<p>I want to learn both eventually, but I'm only taking one in college to make sure I graduate on time.</p>

<p>I've been leaning toward sign language, just because I had such a hard time with Spanish in high school, but I don't know how different college-level Spanish courses are. It might be easier to learn Spanish now than it was in high school.</p>

<p>EDIT: Whoops! Sorry for any possible confusion. I meant Spanish Language or American Sign Language- not Spanish Sign Language or American Sign Language.</p>

2

<p>American. Chances are, unless you move to a Spanish speaking nation, you will be working with Americans. If they are deaf or mute and they live in America, they would probably know American.</p>

3

<p>If you’re going to be living in an ethnic area, or a border state, Spanish would probably be more useful.<br>
If you intend to be working with deaf people, ASL would be. ASL would also make you stand out more, in my opinion.</p>

4

<p>^^Aren’t there millions of Spanish speaking people in America?</p>

5

<p>Spanish; if you ever fail at your career and then you can choose to fall back on smuggling drugs from Latin America. Spanish would be useful during transactions south of the border.</p>

<p>Just kidding.</p>

6

<p>ASL isn’t just used in the US. A bunch of other countries, including Canada and countries that don’t speak English. ASL could be as beneficial as Spanish.</p>

7

<p>I know both and it really depends on where you’re living and what you’re doing. Unless you plan on doing something that is specific to the deaf community, ASL is quite useless. This is because members of the deaf community often have some sort of interpreter with them (spouse, friend, children, parents, etc) whereas Spanish speakers don’t always have people that are fluent in English with them. </p>

<p>Plus, in my opinion, Spanish is much easier to learn. And I’ve known ASL since I was very young (I was mostly deaf until about 1st grade and even now have annoying hearing problems) and didn’t start learning Spanish until freshmen year of high school lol. ASL is just a COMPLETELY different mindset. You have to speak with your whole body, on a conscious level, rather than just your words like you’re accustomed to and trained to do since birth.</p>

8

<p>spanish. the language and people are beautiful. </p>

<p>asl is just as penetrating. go with what interests you.</p>

9

<p>American Sign Language is truly a unique skill to have. I have been studying Sign Language for 6 years, thankfully, my high school had an excellent program (one of the few in the state!) Form my limited work experiences, I have found my skill to be much more useful then some of my spanish-speaking (and even spanish native!) co-workers. Although some will say that “Spanish is in high demand,” you must also remember that diversity is good, and there is a great shortage of knowledge about the Deaf community in America! Sign Language may come easier because it is a very visual language, as such the chance you have to learn it is awesome! Studying ASL outside of a classroom would in fact be rather challenging due to the visual requirements and lack of resources; you can buy video-texts, but live signing is obviously preferred. </p>

<p>I work at the same chain restaurant for 5 years through out high school and college (thank goodness for corporate transfer programs!) and I have found my Signing skills to be extremely beneficial. </p>

<p>Two things about the Deaf culture make this true; they often are born to hearing adults, so they form their own families of non-related Deaf peers. Sadly, many parents of deaf children do not learn to communicate properly with their children. This community is very, very close-knit. Of the 15 deaf individuals I have served at work, only 3 were with a hearing person. </p>

<p>This community truly appreciates meeting hearing people that are skilled in the use of their language. Thus, as in my case, they tend to attract other Deaf members of the community. I cannot tell you how many people tell me, “XXXXX told me about a signing waiter! I wanted to come to eat here to see if you would be here!” Any business transactions, not just retail work, could potentially include Deaf clients, think about it. </p>

<p>Now, take everything you read within my post, or anyone else for that matter, with a grain of salt. Also take into account that I am bi-lingual, I speak both Czech and English with native proficiency. I have also studied Italian and Spanish. I have personally found the opportunity to learn ASL very, very rewarding. I’ve had more successes studying Italian on my own, than taking Spanish classes, and let me tell you it will not be that way with sign language. I am not trying to discredit the Spanish language, I’m just trying to emphasize the amazing opportunity you have! If you have any questions about Sign language, please feel free to PM me!</p>

10

<p>Being a sign language interpreter is a career path. They are in demand by universities many of whom hire them as full time staff. Other interpreters work for agencies and are used in hospitals, courts, and public gatherings. However, I would personally go for the Spanish since I’m not real good manipulating my fingers.</p>

11

<p>I speak both, and they both have their own uses. Think about where you want to live later on in life- if you’re considering somewhere like Miami or any major city, Spanish will certainly come in handy. I’ve found ASL to be useful in the most unexpected places, such as with customers at my job or in the grocery store. ASL is also more unique, and if you’re considering a career such as being a lawyer or doctor, you can tap into the Deaf community for clients, since most people in those professions don’t know ASL and therefore require the person to hire an additional person to interpret.</p>

<p>However, Spanish is a LOT easier to pick up being around people who speak it without structured lessons, whereas ASL is pretty difficult to just learn; classes help greatly.</p>

12

<p>Well, I currently live in Texas and plan to live in a major southern city post-graduation- Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas, etc.</p>

<p>I will be working in marketing (specifically advertising). </p>

<p>I see how both could be helpful, but I’m thinking ASL might be the way to go. I feel like I could always learn Spanish later, but learning ASL would be harder outside of college.</p>

13

<p>Would the course(s) also incorporate learning about deaf culture? To get certification out my way, one of the requirements is an understanding of deaf culture.</p>

14

<p>Yes! All of the sign language courses include units on deaf culture.</p>