5 Reasons Why You Should Learn American Sign Language

Did you know that today is American Sign Language (ASL) Day? All over the world, people join together in honoring the unique heritage in ASL while inviting others to learn more about this unique mode of communication spoken by as many as two million people in the United States alone. Just how popular is this language? It’s also the US’s fifth most-used language behind Spanish, Italian, German and French.

And while ASL may not be the first one that comes to mind when you think about learning a second (or third) language, there are many compelling reasons to do so. What better time to count them down than on this annual day of observance?

1. You’ve already acquired a rudimentary grasp of sign language.

Historians suggest that early humans communicated via physical signs long before they started using the spoken word. You, too, have also communicated this way at various points in your life. Waving hello, pointing to something with your index finger, and hailing a cab are all examples of sign language in its most elemental form.

Over the years, sign language has evolved to be much more complex and robust. Says Healthy Hearing, “Those who speak ASL fluently use their eyes, hands, face and body. The vocabulary and grammar of ASL is also different from English. As a result, learning to speak ASL as a language will be more demanding than just learning to communicate with signs and fingerspelling.”

2. You’ll become a body language expert in the process.

We already covered that ASL comprises body language and subtle facial expressions as well as the signs themselves. The better you get at sign language, the better you’ll get at reading nonverbal cues -- an indispensable skill in both personal and professional settings.

3. It’s picking up in popularity.

More and more people are choosing to studyBod ASL. In fact, it is now the 4th most studied modern foreign language at the US’s colleges and universities, according to statistics from the Modern Language Association.

Which begs the question: Why are so many people seeking out sign language studies? Their reasons are many. Some choose to study ASL because it’s graceful, beautiful and expressive. Others have more personal reasons, like wanting to communicate better with a loved one or friend. Still others have more practical reasons, including positioning themselves as a more desirable hire in certain fields, including everything from law enforcement to stock trading.

For those looking to work in the healthcare industry, meanwhile, a shortage of sign language interpreters means opportunities abound -- not just in terms of employment, but also in terms of helping others.

4. It delivers a brain boost.

Just like other forms of bilingualism, adding ASL to your skill set is linked with many cognitive benefits, including enhanced abstract and creative thinking, better thinking skills, improved cognitive agility and flexibility, and sharper problem-solving capabilities, according to the website Handspeak. Learning a second language is also associated with academic achievement.

In addition to offering the same benefits delivered by bilingualism, ASL also offers the benefits of bimodality. Continues Handspeak, “Bimodal, that is using visual-spatial medium, expands your visual-perceptual skills: spatial awareness, mental rotation skill, visual sensitivity, and more!”

5. You’ll become exposed to an entirely new culture.

For many years, deaf people were regarded purely in terms of their hearing loss. We now know that deaf people represent a rich, vibrant and completely unique culture. Explains the website StartASL, “Deaf culture is exactly what Carol Padden defines as a culture: a set of learned behaviors of a group of people that share a language, values, rules for behavior, and traditions.” The takeaway?

As with all cultures different from your own, exposure to -- or even better, immersion in -- ASL offers invaluable enrichment and a broader perspective on the world.

Now that you’ve heard all about the many amazing aspects of ASL, you may be ready to give it ago. Here’s the best part: While learning ASL isn’t easy, there are more resources now than ever -- many of them literally at your fingertips -- aimed at helping you learn this rewarding language.

ASL consultant and educator Robert DeMayo not only offers a 10 DVD, 30 episode, 150 chapter ASL course which can be streamed online and/or watched from any device, but he also has a popular presence on GIPHY, where he provides instruction on everything from vocabulary to everyday expressions. (Because really, who doesn’t want to learn how to say “Been there, done that” in ASL?)

Prefer to learn in a real-world setting? Many colleges and universities also offer sign language coursework.