Blog 1- Baby Sign Language

http://www.babysignlanguage.com/basics/research/

The article I linked is about a small amount of research that has been done on the benefits of teaching a baby sign language. 

When I had my first son, I had just finished taking SLG102 (the second semester of American Sign Language) at GCC. I had heard, very briefly, about the benefits of teaching a baby sign language, but at the same time, I had also heard that teaching a baby to sign could potentially delay speech. I went back and forth a lot about whether or not I should try to teach him any and eventually ended up teaching him a very limited vocabulary of simple words such as please, thank you, more, hungry, and thirsty. I figured that by only giving him a limited vocabulary, I would be able to communicate basic needs, while at the same time avoiding the potential of speech delay.

In the article, it talks about how even as the babies grew older and used less sign language in their lives, they were better able to communicate than those babies that were only given "verbal training". I found that interesting because of the articles I had read previously about the negatives of signing; while at the same time, not so surprising. Giving babies the ability to communicate effectively at such a young age is a great advantage. In the article it specifically mentions the reduced stress on both parent and child when you are able to understand just what is upsetting your child. I would like to see more research done on the topic, especially since it explicitly states that the study it tracked used a very small number of children.

Language is what rules the world, without language, we wouldn't be able to relay ideas or thoughts to other people. By teaching babies sign language, we are giving them the opportunity to understand and communicate at a much younger age than with just verbal communication. I am excited to see the potential that could come of more extensive research on the topic and the affect it could potentially have on our children.

Introductory Blog

My name is Jennifer Sabori. I have been married for four years and have two handsome boys. I have been a full time stay at home mom for the past two years since my youngest son was born and finally decided that it is time for me to go back to school to finish my degree. 

My career goal at this time is interpreting in both American Sign Language and Spanish. I have always been interested in languages for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Yuma, AZ, which is a predominantly Mexican community. In kindergarten, there was a deaf boy in my class, so we learned how to sign "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" by Eric Carle and I have been fascinated ever since. And then in first through third grade I attended a school where half the day was taught exclusively in English, and the second half in Spanish. It was an amazing opportunity for me to be exposed to so many different languages so young in life and I believe that is was lit the fire of intrigue in me.
It wasn't always easy though, being a blonde haired, blue eyed, Caucasian in a school of Hispanics. I saw first hand the way language is used against people; sometimes as a defense, not knowing everyone around you, it is used as a way to isolate the group that you could most identify with, but sometimes language is used as a tool of deceit, to hide ones true intentions by speaking a different language than those around you. I believe that language is a huge barrier between people and cultures and my hope is that by expanding my own knowledge of foreign languages, that I could help lower some of those barriers in my own life.
I have chosen to take ENG 213 not only because the use of language is so fascinating to me, but also because I feel it will lend itself well to my continued education goal and potential career in interpreting.