For this assignment, I had to record a video of someone signing a word using American Sign Language (ASL).

I completed this assignment because I love ASL (even though I only took the first level of ASL in high school). My dream is to become an American Sign Language interpreter someday. And sign at important events, for important people, and honestly, signing is so much fun!

If I signed too fast or if you simply can’t understand sign, then watch the video again or take ASL.

Just kidding! I signed the phrase, “Gag me with a spoon.” People use this phrase when there is an unfortunate and/or unpleasant situation. This phrase originates all the way back to the 80s. But there are still some people who use that saying today. For instance, actress Sadie Sink, used this quote in a scene from the hit Netflix show, Stranger Things. Where she played Maxine Mayfield.

I decided to sign a phrase instead of a word to give the assignment some more effort and creativity. So enjoy my fingerspelling!

The “Signing Words” assignment required that you “take a video of yourself or someone else and finger spell a word or a phrase in Sign Language alphabet and let others guess what you have spelled.”

I used to know quite a bit of sign language, but I realized that I was a bit rusty as I was making this video. I began by looking up a chart of the ASL alphabet. Then I decided on a message to give… I chose to tie this assignment in with my character and the course theme. I’m going to let people guess what I signed, but I’ll give the answer at the end of this post!

To make the video, I recorded myself using the camera on my laptop. Then I uploaded the video to VideoPad Video Editor. I cut out the audio from the original clip and added my own background music from this website. I also added closing credits to the end of the video. You can see part of my editing process below.

After I was done editing, I downloaded the video to my computer and then uploaded it to YouTube. Here is the finished video below!

Did you guess the message? I signed “Secret Agent Mia Holmes.”

This assignment was to finger spell a word in American Sign Language. Can you tell what I’m signing? I took sign language in high school so I knew how to sign but had to do a little refresher on some letters!

This was the Signing Words assignment worth 1 star.

For my fourth assignment, I did the Signing Words Assignment (1 star). I took Sign Language in high school and was in ASL Club. I actually signed the National Anthem at my high school graduation, so I love ASL. I thought this was a fun and easy assignment. I just recorded myself signing the word in PhotoBooth. I edited it slightly in iMovie, and then I downloaded it as a file and uploaded it to YouTube.

Can you guess the word???

My last assignment for the week was to sign a word so that someone out there can guess what I am saying! I will give you a hint that it pertains to our class.

To make this I opened photobooth on my mac and then recorded myself signing the word. Exported that to Imovie and added some music. Wala

http://assignments.ds106.us/assignments/signing-words/

I’m most definitely at the beginning stages of sign language. This pays a quick homage to the people I hope to continue learning with.

Link to Assignment: http://assignments.ds106.us/assignments/signing-words/

Stars: 4.5

Process: I recorded myself fingerspelling “Talk to the Hands” (The ASL club here at UMW) using an iPhone SE.

Fingerspelling

For the assignment “Signing Words” (rated 4 1/2 stars, I rated it 3), I tried to spell a word in American Sign Language. I have never signed anything in my life other than “Jesus” and “barf” (don’t ask). I had a few outtakes, mostly of misspelling the word I chose. I actually suck at spelling, guys. I had to write down the word I chose to make sure it was going to be right.

Can’t figure out what I’m trying to sign? It’s “regionals”(highlight to see it). They’re coming up this weekend, and I am so freaking pumped. Wish me luck on Saturday!!

I recorded this via the Cyberlink YouCam 6, which is pretty easy to use, honestly. You just click the big red button to start.

I had a lot of fun trying to sign all the letters. I’ve been interested in learning ASL for a while; it just seems really useful, especially in situations where talking isn’t feasible/a good idea. Or, you know, talking to people who are deaf. Anyone who knows more than me (so, knows anything) have any critiques?