WHY ARE ASL SIGNS FOR SOME WORDS NOT CONSISTENT?
We’re
excited about adding new videos for teaching and learning ASL (American Sign
Language) to our online resource, FINKlinks. The question many ask who have seen
the new versions is, “Why are some of the ASL signs different than the earlier
version of videos?”
The
answer:
Both
are correct. American Sign Language is very much like spoken language and one
word can be expressed in more than one way and sometimes even pronounced
differently. Here is what The
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders says about
ASL:
“Just as with other languages, specific ways of expressing ideas in ASL vary as much as ASL users themselves do. ASL users may choose from synonyms to express common words. ASL also changes regionally, just as certain English words are spoken differently in different parts of the country. Ethnicity, age, and gender are a few more factors that affect ASL usage and contribute to its variety.”
WHO ARE MARK AND CHRISTY?
The
gentleman doing the signing for Faith Inkubators in the original Old Testament videos is Mark Shoepp. When Bible Song was first introduced, Mark did a great job teaching the songs on video.
Later
as New Testament lessons were being developed, Christy
Smith of Discovering Deaf Worlds began teaching/demonstrating the sign language on video. Christy has now signed all
the Bible Song scripture songs (New and Old Testament) on video. There is now consistency in the signs across all of our videos.
NEW VIDEOS NOW AVAILABLE
Until
now, only the tutorial version for each Books of Moses song has been available on-line. Starting today, both the tutorial and song demonstration are on-line (FINKlinks and YouTube). The ASL signs should now be consistent if you teach from both the Old and New Testament tutorial videos.
The Into
the Promised Land videos will be updated with the Christy Smith-versions before the end of 2010. The
on-line versions (FINKlinks and YouTube) will be modified first. DVDs will follow.
We know that the vast majority of our users have access to the internet, but not every user in a church has immediate access to the individual DVDs that accompany materials when you license for Bible Song. Therefore, it made sense that the on-line version would be first.
LINK: Books of Moses Videos with Christy Smith
If you are a long-time Bible Song user, either set of videos (Mark or Christy) will work fine. The signs on both versions are correct. Both accomplish the goal of using sign language as not only a
teaching tool but as a way to memorize scripture.
If you are new to Bible Song, we suggest that you start using the Christy Smith videos. This will ensure that the ASL signing for common words will be consistent as you work your way through the Scripture.
We realize that there are many fans of the Mark Shoepp videos. Mark does a great job of explaining the meanings of the signing in the tutorials. Because of the popularity, we will make sure his videos will still be available on YouTube.
LINK: Into the Promised Land videos with Mark Schoepp
Haven’t
seen Bible Song and want to know what the FINKlinks are?
FINKlinks are an online tool for parents and children to use in the home or for Bible Song programs to
use during small group time. FINKlinks reinforce the scripture lesson for the day.
There is artwork, the scripture song, ASL tutorial and song demonstration of the
scripture, and games.
Click Here for a FINKlink sample of Lesson One from The Books of Moses.
If you have any questions about Bible Song, FINKlinks, ASL videos and more, please give me a call at 888-55FAITH or send me an e-mail at dstreicher@faithink.com.