Justin C.
In-Depth Introductory blog post
January 7th, 2020
What I will be going over
- What is In-Depth?
- What skill have I chosen to learn
- Why did I choose this skill?
- Why ASL over other Sign Languages?
- What Do I already know?
- Process and timeline
- End Goal
- What can others do to help?
- What do I still need?
What is the In-Depth Project?
The In-Depth project is one of the final and most important projects in the Talons program. It is a 5-month long project for Leadership that lasts from January to May. In the project, we choose a certain skill (one that you haven’t really gone into before and is not regularly available to learn at school) and go in-depth in it, learning and gaining new skills along the way. By the end, you should have learned a certain amount of knowledge or be able to perform your certain skill at a relatively good level. Everyone is tasked with finding a potential mentor and asking for their mentorship. The mentor should be an expert in the field of your skill so that they have the best chance of helping you successfully complete your end goal.
What skill have I chosen to learn?
The skill I chose is American Sign Language also known as ASL. ASL is a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages, with grammar that differs from English. It allows people to communicate using their hand motions rather than talking. The separate grammar will definitely be a challenge to learn and make it difficult. It is widely used among Deaf and Mute people as a main means of communication.
Why did I choose this skill?
I chose to do American Sign Language because I thought that I could potentially be very beneficial in my future as I hope to be a Pediatrician. I know that the two aren’t directly related but that wasn’t the only reason. Sign Language is something I’ve wanted to learn for years, but never really found the time or really the right opportunity to do so. At first, when I heard about In-Depth, I wasn’t sure what to do but then I remembered back to some of the skills that I’ve always wanted to learn.
My older sister and Mom used to watch a show in which the main characters were deaf, and signing was a consistent part of the show. My sister and mom looked up how to spell their names and taught me as well. It took me a while to remember what each sign meant (as I was young and it was my first time ever signing) but after I learned even those few letters, I was fascinated by what I had achieved. My mom is really excited that I’m doing ASL and I will try my best to teach her what I learn along the way, after all, she is the one who helped inspire me to do ASL. Hopefully, by the end of my In-Depth project, I can have achieved my goal and be as fascinated with Sign Language as I was then.
Why choose ASL over other Sign Languages?
Well for starters there is no universal sign language. Different sign languages are used in different countries or regions. For example, British Sign Language (BSL) is a different language from ASL, and Americans and Canadians who know ASL may not understand BSL. Some countries adopt features of ASL in their sign languages. Since ASL is the Sign Language used in Canada I thought that it would be the best choice for me.
What Do I already know?
Starting off In-Depth I don’t know much ASL or rather any form of Sign Language at all. A few things I already know how to sign are:
- Thank you
- Teacher
- Mother
- Grandmother
- Stop
- A few random letters (A, B, E, I, J, O, K,)
Process and Timeline
Over the next five months, I have a lot I hope to get done, here is a brief overview of my plan.
| Plan: An outline of methods, activities, strategies, people and resources you can use to meet your challenge | Timetable: The specific dates or times when you will accomplish the steps in your plan |
| Research for someone who could be my mentor, telling them about what I am doing | 1st week |
| Choose a mentor out of the people above^ | 1st week |
| Email them again asking for them to be my mentor (including everything I would be asking from them) | 1st week |
| Schedule to meet with my mentor and have an introduction | 2nd week |
| Meet with my mentor for the first time (possibly with my peers also doing ASL) | 2nd or 3rd week |
| Learn the Basics | 3rd to 7th week |
| Continue to have meetings | Every two weeks or so throughout the remainder of In-depth |
| Begin learning the alphabet | 8th week to 10th week |
| Learn some basic grammar | 10th week |
| Communicate with my peers also doing ASL, and check in with their progress, practice together. | Throughout January to the end of In-Depth |
| Eventually be able to communicate via spelling slowly or using words I learn | I hope to be able to do this as soon as possible |
| Do the finishing Blog post/conclusion | May |
End Goal
At the end of In-Depth, I plan to be able to communicate with someone who is deaf or mute by using basic Signing,
A few things I want to be able to do;
- Know the full alphabet (memorized and not having to go A, B, C, D…)
- Basic knowledge of ASL Grammar (As it differs from Spoken and Written English)
- Know how to sign ten full grammatically correct sentences
- Be able to communicate with deaf and mute people at a very basic level
What can Others do to help?
At this time, all I want or really need is support from my family, teacher and eventually mentor.
What do I still need?
A Mentor. At this point in time (January 7th) I don’t have a definitive mentor. I have emailed multiple prospects including ASL interpreters and college and I am just waiting for a reply. That is currently my top priority and I will hopefully have a mentor soon.
I am really excited to see my final results and to get In-Depth in ASL!
If you read this far, Thank you, and make sure to tune in as I will be posting a new blog every two weeks.
Thanks, Justin C.