A Silent Foreign Language

The first foreign language I learned was Spanish. I learned the language for three years in high school, then tested into the review class (cause I'm that kinda student 😞) followed by Spanish I & Spanish II as a college student. These were the "Arts" classes I took to earn my affiliated requirements for my Bachelor of Arts degree. My other option was to struggle through [read: disintegrate] a few credits of various mathematics courses, & my college years seemed to be my "off" years for understanding & comprehending much of anything mathematical. Besides, if I'd have taken that route I'd have earned a B.S. degree, a.k.a. a b___s*** degree. 😂

Like eating mulch, 😂 as a kid, right behind my brother, & somewhat following suit, I signed up to learn Spanish. Our school happened to offer more than one foreign language, just not like now-a-days where kids begin learning their foreign languages long before middle/junior high school & high school. We could've also chosen to learn German; which, as kids who are part German, also made plenty of sense, especially from a genealogical perspective. At the same time Dad wasn't necessarily ready to learn alongside of us, or for being a learning board from which to bounce our newly learned skills. He'd have helped us out, he always did if asked, yet he wanted this to be our decision. And so it was. Spanish seemed to be a "general", or "cover all" foreign language to learn. And so we did. Sort of.

My brother & I never spoke in Spanish to one another. If we said anything, it was general phrases & such that Mom & Dad definitely could also follow. The most significant thing I figured out on my own was, "Mas de la leche por favor." Which I'd use during dinner occasionally. I felt so cool. I'm shaking my head & rolling my eyes with pursed lips as I type this. I was ridiculous.

Despite my having attempted to learn Spanish, or any German, I did find myself rather intrigued by another "foreign" language, especially somewhat post college. I think I'd always found it fascinating, though I'd never really taken the extra moments needed to really get into the language.

It was probably around that time, a few decades or so ago now, when I did learn how to sign the alphabet. The problem was, like any kid would learn their ABCs & only be able recite them in order, I could only sign the alphabet in order from A to Z, & I couldn't exactly read anyone signing to me (not that I actually had anyone with which to bounce my admiration for sign language either 😜).

So on grew my great interest in all things signing & sign language, though never truly dedicating the necessary time toward actually learning it (except for borrowing a number of never-cracked-the-binding books on the topic from the local library).

Fast forward about a decade. I turned into my prime for being invited to all things "baby", which meant it was "Baby Shower Time". I'd long been crocheting many a gift for most people I knew (baby-wise or otherwise 😊); sometimes this just wasn't appropriate or feasible.

And this happened right around the time that the hype in gifting all things "baby" happened to be, of all things: books. I perused Amazon & found a few books which seemed to be "just right" such as this book & this book. Ultimately, however, this is the book I've now purchased a few times (for this same gifting purpose), which I especially preferred since it's not gender-specific, & there still are plenty of parents-to-be who choose to not learn in advance whether they'll be having a boy or a girl.

I've grown to appreciate plenty of languages, & I'm excited that learning any language is something we're free to do (as long as we put in the right amount of effort) at any age. The set of German cassettes (this is the Amazon link to the more modern set of CDs of the same set of cassettes) I picked up along the way to study continue to collect dust awaiting insertion in a boom box I've kept around for just this purpose, & those Spanish classes from "back then" are the history that they are for me; it's awesome to me that sign language exists. I truly see it as a foreign language.

I appreciate that it's available to be learned & easily can be. One never knows when they might meet someone who's deaf or hard of hearing & in need - or, that they just want to assist. As a cashier, for instance, knowing sign language can really boost a relationship with these types of customers; it could help make a sale. Or, maybe a friend or family member might bring someone with them to a gathering who's of this profile. Maybe someone will {gasp} join your family who's of this profile.  And, as I remember from a particular book in this series, even adolescent's familiar with the language can help someone out in desperate need of all places: the public restroom; which, I believe, along with other related sign language hurdles, is a storyline mentioned in this book.



These links are affiliate links to Amazon as well as the image link in the top left.

If you'd like to shop my general Amazon Store, click here & Thank You!