I have zero understanding why its not something that governments can provide through an online pre-recorded trainings, why is it so difficult to learn deaf sign languages to the point of most known practical way to do it is by getting a minor degree in it (most usually in education)? If anyone wondering which sign language, I’m interested in learning more than one if I find a feasible way to learn them so: American Sign Language/Black American Sign Language (dialect - both are used in the US and Canada), Brazilian Sign Language, British Sign Language, Catalan Sign Language, French Sign Language, Inuit Sign Language, Quebec Sign Language, Swedish Sign Language
A few ways
Easiest is to find a class in your area for beginners - colleges and hospitals are the best place to start (hospitals not because they teach them but because they generally know from referring newly deaf patients, or family members of newly deaf patients).
You really only get so much from a class though - some cultural introduction, basic vocabulary/structure, facial movements. If you actually want to really learn you need to get into the local deaf community, which depending on where you live will be huge or small.
The other way to learn is harder, but still doable. Seek out the local deaf community and go hang out at meetups (Pizza and bowling are common everywhere). Immerse yourself and self teach using online resources. Deaf people LOVE when hearing folks try to communicate so they’ll do anything they can to help you out generally.
They’re so, so isolated in normal society. Any person that demonstrates interest in communicating will be welcomed with open arms. You’ll probably run into translators and families of deaf folks that hear and speak English just fine as well.
Keep in mind that many people who are deaf from birth do not know English very well, if at all. Trying to write back and forth in English will have mixed results, but until you’re faster at finger spelling that is a good crutch, but try to shake it as fast as you can. When you first go to hang out with deaf folks bring a small whiteboard or notepad if you can’t finger spell.
That is the exact opposite of what I experienced when I was learning ASL.
Wow, really?
Can you explain more?
My experience is anecdotal for sure, but it spans a few cities/ regions of the USA. And it aligns with what my formal teachers/hearing friends in deaf families have told me.
I won’t live and die by that but from my experience deaf people are super welcoming.