Shuwa, Sign Language

Shuwa, Sign Language

Here at Hippo, we learn how to introduce ourselves in many different languages. I, myself, have tried French, Spanish, Chinese, Swedish, among others. It's been said that a multilingual person doesn't turn anyone away – they enter relationships with an open mind and eager heart.

Just recently, as my Hippo group did their rounds of introductions　- getting their language practice in - one member did an introduction in a language that blew me away. Shuwa = sign language. I was so impressed with his introduction that I made him repeat it multiple times over so that I could get it right, too. (So sorry, thank you for your tolerance and for letting me borrow your shuwa books!)

As I'm ashamed to say, it never really occurred to me how different Japanese sign language and English sign language was. But it makes sense, right? Different alphabet, different body language = different sign language, too. It was neat to notice some of the similarities between the two, as well; like the letter A is the same in both languages, so they use the same sign.

So, because this is something that really perked my interest, and because I think sign language is as important as any other language, I've been practicing my introduction in shuwa, too. (Note: This is using the Japanese shuwa and not the American sign language. So if I was introducing myself to someone in America, my introduction would probably be different.)

I figured a video would probably be better than pictures for this post. :) Hope you like it, and for those who are fluent in shuwa, please forgive me for any mistakes I make! I'd like to get better, and I'd like to try memorizing the American alphabet, too.