How to Speak English: Redefining the Meaning of an Accent
Did you know that sign language features regional variations in signing and slang terms? The idea may seem farfetched to some. American Sign Language is often thought of as a literal interpretation of American English, with universal gestures for virtually every word and slang term imaginable. Those who use sign language as their dominant form of communication know each signer has a unique signing rhythm, speed and vocabulary. Foreign business professionals who are learning how to speak English find they too must become comfortable with the dialects found in their environment before they feel truly accepted by those around them.
How to Speak English: American Sign Language in New York
According to American Sign Language user Samuel Caraballo, a theater producer who has spent part of his life in New York, not only is there a variety of sign language accents contained within the broad term sign language, but the New York variety of sign language is distinctive. It features facial expressions, signing motions and body language cues which immediately communicate to others that the person signing hails from New York. Native New York signers sign words rapidly, while those in Ohio sign with a relaxed ease that many associate with the Midwest. New Yorkers are also more likely to use profane signs.
Signers from the southern US have developed an accent whereby they frequently touch their lower face and chest when signing. These mannerisms are equivalent in the sign language community to the southern drawl in American English. There are 130 sign languages worldwide. As you might expect, when a signer learns a new form of sign language, their accent is noticeable to other signers.
Many American sign language signers report sign language accents found in different regions of the country influence the way they sign words, even after they’ve left an area that features a strong sign language dialect.
How to Speak English: Deaf Signers vs. Hearing Signers
Native speakers of English can tell the minute a person begins speaking whether they are a native speaker or are just starting to learn how to speak English. By the same token, some individuals who have come from native signing deaf families can quickly determine whether the person signing to them is an interpreter, native signer, or postlingual signer. The latter term refers to learning sign language after developing the capacity to learn other languages. A select number of deaf signers can also determine whether the person signing to them is hearing or deaf just by the way they sign specific words. Generally hearing and deaf signers possess different signing patterns.
How to Speak English: Where to Learn More
Accent Pros has a continuing series on how to speak English, including common English phrases and American idioms. Be sure to check out other blog posts to find your favorites. Ready for a complimentary accent reduction tutorial or a free accent screening? Check out our on-line accent reduction courses available to students with accent reduction goals all over the world. For consistent access to our idioms series and further information on how to speak English Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter
