Facial expressions in BSL

1

I know this isn't a 'foreign' language as such but wasn't really sure where to post this.

Does anyone know how you should position your eyebrows with british sign language when asking open questions in comparison to asking closed questions.

Thanks.

Reply 1

Simon-J

8

Hello,

This is a question and a half! I'm fluent in sign language so it just tends to come naturally.

I just practised some sentences for you to see what my eyebrows do :p:

When I asked "What do you think?", my eyebrows tended to furrow.

That's the only example I could think of this morning. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask :smile:

Simon

Reply 2

Simon-J

8

Oh, and I forgot to mention...

When asking closed questions, such as "Are you OK?" or "Are you sure?", my eyebrows raise but still tend to furrow nonetheless.

I suppose it's just about making it clear with your facial expression that you are asking a question.

Reply 3

8owman

OP

1

Thank you!

Reply 4

wilsonsamm

I'm a learner still, but I always furrow my brows when asking a question. Almost like frowning.
I didn't know there was a different in facial expressions between open and closed questions, thô, what is the difference?

Reply 5

Simon-J

8

There really isn't :smile:

I agree- when I ask all types of questions, my eyebrows do furrow like yours. But when I ask questions as an exclamation, like "Are you really sure?!" ... or "Do you really think that?!" then my eyebrows tend to raise but still furrow.

Not sure if that makes any sense! :p:

Reply 6

wilsonsamm

My fringe always covers my eyebrows so that no-one can see if they're raised or not. Now, I can't remember ever having seen a deaf person with a fringe, so how will that hinder my communication, if at all? :smile:

Reply 7

Simon-J

8

Hehe join the club, i have long(ish) hair too :biggrin:

Your face still tends to show movements, as do your eyes.
Unless your hair covers your whole face, you will be fine communicating with deaf people. :p:

Anyway, it's really nice to see some people learning BSL. I've not come across many that are willing to learn it!

Simon

Reply 8

dinkymints

12

Simon-J

Hehe join the club, i have long(ish) hair too :biggrin:

Your face still tends to show movements, as do your eyes.
Unless your hair covers your whole face, you will be fine communicating with deaf people. :p:

Anyway, it's really nice to see some people learning BSL. I've not come across many that are willing to learn it!

Simon

I'm really interested in learning BSL but don't want to spend too much money - any ideas? :smile:

Reply 9

Amy1122

Open questions I tend to have raised furrowed eyebrows...wow.. that makes sense... :s-smilie:

I know what you are trying to get at with the

then my eyebrows tend to raise but still furrow.

thing...

Reply 10

nikki

9

dinkymints

I'm really interested in learning BSL but don't want to spend too much money - any ideas? :smile:

Loads of colleges (but not necessarily 6th forms) and places for adult education offer BSL once a week in the evening or something similar. CACDP have a course search, but don't rely too much on it, it doesn't list everywhere that offers it.

Oh, and I've been trying to learn BSL for years, but I get started on a course then something goes wrong, so I never make it to the end or never get a certificate. :frown:

Reply 11

Simon-J

8

Yes - and it depends on your local council, I'm afraid. Look on the adult-education website for your local area. Where I live, even though I'm a full time student, the costs are near-enough extortionate! Whereas if I lived with my Dad in London, the local council there offers it in an evening-class for free for those in full time education!

Simon

Reply 12

Piggsil

16

If anyone lives near Durham, I know the language centre at the uni offers BSL. Not sure about the costs though.

Reply 13

wilsonsamm

@dinkymints:
how about starting off with the course at signstation.org?
Then meet some deaf people who will probably help you and practise with you. At www.deafpubuk.com you might have luck finding out where the next Deaf meet is where you live.

And did you know that google can be a very helpful friend? :smile:

Reply 14

dinkymints

12

wilsonsamm

@dinkymints:
how about starting off with the course at signstation.org?
Then meet some deaf people who will probably help you and practise with you. At www.deafpubuk.com you might have luck finding out where the next Deaf meet is where you live.

And did you know that google can be a very helpful friend? :smile:

Thanks - I did google BSL courses uk but didn't find much useful stuff - websites that give you a few signs for free but that's about it...

Reply 15

nikki

9

Simon-J

Yes - and it depends on your local council, I'm afraid. Look on the adult-education website for your local area. Where I live, even though I'm a full time student, the costs are near-enough extortionate! Whereas if I lived with my Dad in London, the local council there offers it in an evening-class for free for those in full time education!

I forgot to mention prices! :redface:

Simon's right, some places are very generous and will offer courses free to a whole range of people, whereas others will want you to sacrifice your first born son or something before they even consider reducing the prices. Don't be too put off if one place is expensive, somewhere else may well be much cheaper or free. Your council's website should have information about adult education, and check any colleges in the area.

(edited 7 years ago)

Facial expressions in BSL

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