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Arpita Roy

The course is divided into two main sections:

Section 1: Introduction to Sign Language-

In this section, you will be introduced to the foundational concepts of sign language.

Terms such as Sign Language, Fingerspelling, Sign System, Symbol System, Cued Speech, Speech Reading, and Augmentative and alternative communication will be discussed.

A summary of the evolution of sign language is also included.

Understanding these fundamentals is crucial as they provide the foundation for developing your ISL skills.

Read more

The course is divided into two main sections:

Section 1: Introduction to Sign Language-

In this section, you will be introduced to the foundational concepts of sign language.

Terms such as Sign Language, Fingerspelling, Sign System, Symbol System, Cued Speech, Speech Reading, and Augmentative and alternative communication will be discussed.

A summary of the evolution of sign language is also included.

Understanding these fundamentals is crucial as they provide the foundation for developing your ISL skills.

You will also learn about the correlation between sign language and sign systems.

Section 2: Indian Sign Language Vocabulary -

Building on the foundation established in Section 1, this section explores the extensive vocabulary of ISL.

You will learn signs for a wide range of words and phrases, organized to make learning easier and more systematic.

Signs have been categorized into the following: Alphabets, Numbers, Days of the week, Months of the year, Greetings and etiquette, Family and social relationships, Colours, Emotions, traits, and actions, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Daily activities, Transportation, Food items, Time and frequency, Education related terms, Antonyms (opposites).

The course contains signs for more than 500 words...

Learning ISL offers numerous benefits, both personally and professionally.

By learning ISL, you develop a new mode of communication, enhancing your overall communication skills.

Teachers and educators who learn ISL can better support deaf students, creating an inclusive learning environment and improving educational outcomes for deaf children.

Acquiring knowledge of ISL has the potential to unlock new career prospects. Employers greatly appreciate individuals who communicate effectively with a diverse workforce, including deaf colleagues and clients.

Acquiring proficiency in ISL can undeniably elevate your value as an asset within any organization.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Important terms such as sign language, finger spelling, sign system, speech reading, cued speech, augmentative and alternative communication (aac)
  • Indian signs for alphabets, numbers, days and months, greetings and etiquette, colours, family and social relationships, emotions, behaviour and action words
  • Indian signs for pronouns, daily activities, education related words, food items, verbs, adjectives, transportation, time and frequency, antonyms
  • Sign language vs sign system (interrelation and difference), evolution of sign language and indian sign language

Syllabus

Key Concepts of Sign Language
What is Signed English?
Layout of section 1: Introduction to Key Concepts of Sign Language
What is Sign Language? | Definition of Sign Language
Read more
What is Sign Language part 2 | More about Sign Language
What is Finger Spelling?
What is Sign System?
What is Symbol System?
What is Symbol System part 2 | More about Symbol System
What is AAC? | Augmentive and alternative communication strategies
What is Signed English part 2
Sign Language vs Sign System : Interrelation and Difference
Sign Language vs Sign System : Interrelation and Difference Part 2
What is Cued Speech?
What is Cued Speech? Part 2 | More about Cued Speech
What is Speech reading or Lip reading?
How did Sign Language evolve? Part 1
How did Sign Language evolve? Part 2
How did ISL (Indian sign language) evolve?
Indian Sign Language Vocabulary
Important Note
Hand Basics
ISL Alphabets (26 letters) : A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ISL Numbers (34 words): 0-20, 30 - 90 (tens), 100, 1000, 10000, 1L, 10L, 1C
ISL Days of the Week (9 words): Day, Week, Monday - Sunday
ISL Months of the Year (14 words): Month, Year, January - December.

Hello, Good Morning,  Good afternoon,  Good evening,  Good night,  Thank you,  Welcome,  Sorry,  Please,  See you again,  See you tomorrow,  See you later

Mother, Father, Parents, Baby, Son, Daughter, Brother, Sister, Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt, Boy, Girl, Children, Man, Woman, Relative, Cousin, Father in law, Mother in law, Brother in law, Sister in law, Person, Neighbour, People, Grandson, Granddaughter, Family, Wedding/ Marriage, Husband, Wife, Friend, Group, Name, Surname, Address, Birth, Twins, Engagement, Enemy

Alternate signs: Number 0 and 10, Letter B, T, and F, October and Enemy

Colours, White, Black, Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow, Red, Pink, Silver, Golden, Grey, Brown, Purple, Crayon, Paint, Paintbrush

Good, Bad, Angry, Kind, Happy, Sad, Proud, Confident, Patience, Lazy, Hope, Belief/ Believe, Faith, Trust, Guilty, Provoke, Insult, Cheat (exam), Fake, Lie (telling lies), Problem, Stubborn, Jealous, Selfish, Dangerous, Share, Naughty, Behaviour, Personality (nature), Busy, Feeling/Feel

Argue/Quarrel,  Avoid, Compare, Regret, Accuse, Blame, Advise, Defend (protect), Enjoy, Escape, Pretend, Promise, Interfere, Admire/ Commend, Praise/ Clap, Encourage, Smile, Calm, Scold, Gossip, Suspect, Fight, Ignore, Confuse (worry), Nervous, Spendthrift, Responsible (duty), Stress, Instigate,

I/ Me/ My, Pronoun, Myself, You, Yourself, Your, He/Him, His, Himself, She/Her, Hers, Herself, It, Its, Itself, We, Us, Our, Ourselves, They/Them, Their, Themselves, These, Those, This, That, We'll

Give, Take, Bring, Call, Do, Find, Keep, Want, Need. Change, Finish, Continue, Move, Meet, Borrow, Lend, Put, Hold, Join, Search, Visit, Spend (money & time), Turn, Complain, Doubt

Tall, Short, Long, Active, Famous, Honest, Perfect, Pure, Real, Fast/Quick, Slow, Safe, Careless, Bright, Dark, Expensive, Cheap, Alone, Comfortable, Different, Same, Flexible, Special, Hungry, Uncomfortable, Thirsty

Eat/ Eating, Drink/ Drinking, Sleep/ Sleeping, Walk/ Walking, Run/ Running, Talk/ Talking, Speak/ Speaking, Listen/Hear, See/ Seeing, Watch/ Watching, Breathe/ Breathing, Sit/ Sitting, Stand/ Standing, Work/ Working, Think/ Thinking, Decide/ Deciding, Rest/ Resting, Laugh/ Laughing, Cry/ Crying, Shout/ Shouting, Touch/ Touching, Swim/ Swimming, Drive/ Driving, Jump/ Jumping, Write/ Writing, Read/ Reading, Cook/Cooking

Welcome (Invite), Happy Birthday, Well done, How are you?, I am fine, Nice/Happy to meet you, Nice to see you, Good to see you again, Take care, Have a good day, Excuse me, Congratulations, Help, Same to you, Yes, No, Mistake, God bless you, Good Luck

Bus, Taxi, Train, Car, Scooter/Bike, Cycle, Auto-rickshaw, Airport, Railway Station, Ticket, Pass (ticket), Reservation, Driver, Vehicle, Road, Footpath, Traffic, Bus conductor, Truck, Van, Boat, Ship, Engine, Helicopter, Trip (tour), Traffic Lights, Accident, Aeroplane, Car Parking, Drivers' license, Metro

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Idli, Vada, Dosa, Chapati/ Roti, Poori/ Luchi/ Bhatura, Curry, Pickle, Curd, Meat, Chicken, Chicken Meat, Mutton, Mutton (Goat) Meat, Bread, Jam, Butter, Biscuit, Cake, Ice cream, Milk, Coffee, Tea, Juice, Rice, Ketchup, Fish, Food, Salt, Sugar, Pepper, Cheese, Sandwich

Again/ Repeat, Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Almost, Never, Until, Urgent, Time, Hour, Minutes, Seconds, Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night, Now, Today, Yesterday, Tomorrow, Before, After, Punctual, Late, Deadline, Later, Early

School, College, University, Teacher, Student, Classroom, Library, Test, Result, Certificate, Degree (certificate),  Principal, Learn, Understand, Class/ Grade/ Standard, Topic, Assignment, Percentage, Professor, Teach, Information, Knowledge, Important, Education, Book, Study, Know, Communicate, Word, Sentence, Story

Accept / Refuse, Confirm/ Deny, Approve/ Reject, Agree / Disagree, Appear / Disappear, Increase / Decrease and Reduce, Like / Dislike, Love / Hate, Pass / Fail, Close / Open, Pull / Push, Repair / Break, Collect / Distribute

Question / Answer, Right (Correct) / Wrong (Incorrect), Show / Hide, Go / Come, Start (begin) / Stop, Intelligent / Foolish, Brave (Bold) / Afraid, Boring/ Interesting, Permanent/ Temporary, Young / Old, Beautiful / Ugly, Big / Small, Remember / Forget

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides vocabulary relevant to daily activities, which can help learners communicate about common experiences and routines
Covers greetings and etiquette, which are essential for initiating conversations and showing respect in social interactions
Explores the evolution of sign language, which provides learners with a deeper understanding of its history and cultural significance
Includes education-related terms, which can be useful for teachers and students in academic settings
Discusses the correlation between sign language and sign systems, which may require learners to understand linguistic concepts
Features signs categorized into alphabets, numbers, days, and months, which is a systematic approach to language acquisition

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn Indian Sign Language Vocabulary and Key Concepts with these activities:
Review Key Concepts of Sign Language
Reinforce your understanding of the fundamental concepts of sign language before diving into the vocabulary.
Show steps
  • Review the definitions of key terms like 'Sign Language' and 'Fingerspelling'.
  • Summarize the differences between sign language and sign systems.
  • Outline the evolution of sign language.
Practice Fingerspelling
Improve your fingerspelling speed and accuracy, which is crucial for understanding and communicating in ISL.
Show steps
  • Use an online fingerspelling practice tool.
  • Practice spelling common words and names.
  • Ask a friend to fingerspell words for you to decipher.
Create a Sign Language Vocabulary Flashcard Set
Solidify your vocabulary knowledge by creating a set of flashcards with ISL signs and their corresponding meanings.
Show steps
  • Choose 50-100 words from the course vocabulary list.
  • Create a flashcard for each word with the ISL sign on one side and the English translation on the other.
  • Use images or videos to represent the signs clearly.
  • Review the flashcards regularly to reinforce learning.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'A Basic Course in American Sign Language'
Gain a broader understanding of sign language structure and principles by exploring ASL through a well-regarded textbook.
Show steps
  • Read assigned chapters focusing on grammar and sentence structure.
  • Compare and contrast ASL grammar with ISL grammar.
  • Practice translating simple sentences between English and ASL.
Create a Video Explaining ISL Signs
Deepen your understanding and improve your signing skills by creating a video explaining and demonstrating ISL signs.
Show steps
  • Choose a set of related ISL signs (e.g., family members, greetings).
  • Research the correct way to perform each sign.
  • Record a video demonstrating each sign and explaining its meaning.
  • Edit the video for clarity and add captions.
  • Share the video with others for feedback.
Review 'Deaf Culture: Exploring Deaf Communities in the United States'
Enhance your understanding of the cultural context of sign language by exploring Deaf culture.
Show steps
  • Read assigned chapters focusing on Deaf history and community.
  • Reflect on how cultural understanding can improve communication with Deaf individuals.
  • Research the cultural aspects of the Deaf community in India.
Create an ISL Learning App Prototype
Apply your ISL knowledge and technical skills by designing a prototype for an ISL learning application.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm features for the app (e.g., vocabulary lessons, fingerspelling practice, quizzes).
  • Create wireframes or mockups of the app's user interface.
  • Develop a basic prototype using a prototyping tool or programming language.
  • Gather feedback from potential users and iterate on the design.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn Indian Sign Language Vocabulary and Key Concepts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sign Language Interpreter
A sign language interpreter facilitates communication between deaf and hearing individuals. They translate spoken language into sign language and vice versa, in various settings such as educational institutions, legal proceedings, medical appointments, and community events. This course helps build a foundation in Indian Sign Language by covering essential vocabulary and fundamental concepts, as well as the evolution of sign language itself. Those who take this course will be better prepared to communicate effectively with members of the Deaf community. Additionally, they will better understand the nuances and cultural context of sign language, which is essential in this role.
Special Education Teacher
A special education teacher works with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They develop and implement individualized education programs, and they provide instruction and support to help students achieve their full potential. Understanding this course can help educators develop valuable communication skills when interacting with deaf students. The course focuses on Indian Sign Language and covers key terms and concepts, as well as hundreds of signs, including those related to education. Special education teachers will be better equipped to meet the diverse communication needs of their students having taken this course.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. While the focus of this work is on spoken language, they also work with individuals who use alternative methods of communication, including sign language. This course introduces important terms related to communication, such as fingerspelling, cued speech, and augmentative and alternative communication, in addition to Indian Sign Language. Those who wish to become speech language pathologists may find this course to be a useful introduction to the world of non-verbal communication, which may be useful for working with some clients.
Community Outreach Worker
A community outreach worker connects individuals with the resources and support they need. This often includes communicating with diverse communities, including people who are deaf or hard of hearing. This course introduces the fundamentals of Indian Sign Language, covering basic vocabulary and key concepts. A community outreach worker who takes this course can more effectively communicate with and serve the Deaf community. This course can help build a foundation in understanding that community, culture, and communication.
Social Worker
Social workers provide support and resources to individuals, families, and communities facing challenges such as poverty, mental health issues, and disabilities. While social work often focuses on systemic issues and policy, it involves direct communication with a wide range of people. This course introduces the fundamentals of Indian Sign Language, and it would be helpful for social workers who wish to better serve the Deaf community. This course covers both the communication system itself as well as a range of useful vocabulary and key concepts.
Human Resources Specialist
A human resources specialist helps with recruitment, onboarding, training, and employee relations, and they may be tasked with ensuring a workplace is diverse and inclusive. This course introduces fundamental concepts of sign language, as well as fundamental vocabulary in Indian Sign Language. HR specialists who learn ISL can improve their communication with deaf colleagues and address more of their needs. This course will help a human resources specialist to become better prepared to engage with a diverse workforce.
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer creates learning materials and curricula for educators, businesses, and other organizations. This course provides an introduction to sign language, which may be a valuable communication tool to support students with disabilities. This course may be relevant for those who work, or who plan to work, in education. It covers key concepts such as fingerspelling and augmentative and alternative communication; knowledge of such concepts may help an instructional designer to create accessible and inclusive learning environments.
Language Instructor
A language instructor teaches languages to students of varying ages and proficiency levels. While this course introduces Indian Sign Language rather than a spoken language, it still addresses fundamental concepts and vocabulary of a communication system. This course also introduces concepts and terms that are common to the study of language itself, such as language evolution. This course may be useful for those who wish to teach a language of any kind, and who wish to understand what constitutes a language and ways to teach it to others.
Accessibility Consultant
An accessibility consultant advises organizations on how to make their products, services, and environments accessible to people with disabilities. This can involve training on the importance of accessibility and techniques for ensuring it. This course could help an accessibility consultant better understand the needs of people who are deaf. The course introduces the basics of Indian Sign Language, which can help with direct communication, and it also introduces important terms related to communication and disabilities. This course can help build a foundation for an accessibility consultant who wishes to focus on communication.
Librarian
A librarian manages library resources, assists library patrons, and organizes community outreach programs. This course provides an introduction to the basics of sign language and the many types of communication systems that exist. A librarian may find that they work with deaf patrons, and they will benefit from learning about Indian Sign Language. Learning a new language can also assist in the ability to learn other languages. A library is a space for diverse communities, and this course may help a librarian ensure their space is welcoming to all.
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative interacts directly with customers to resolve issues, answer questions, and provide support. While most interactions are through spoken language or written communication, a customer service representative or a customer service manager may occasionally be faced with the need to communicate with a deaf individual through sign language. This introductory course will be useful in these instances, providing a foundation in ISL. Many who work in customer service will regularly deal with a wide variety of people, and learning a new language is an asset to this work.
Research Assistant
A research assistant supports research projects, often within a university or non-profit setting. This could include collecting data, summarizing information, analyzing results, or writing reports. This course touches on communication systems, which is a common topic for research projects, and the course also provides a foundation in a particular language and its evolution, which could be useful for those who study linguistics or semiotics. A research assistant can benefit from learning about language, communication, and research techniques in this course.
Administrative Assistant
An administrative assistant supports the daily operations of an office or organization. Administrative assistants must have great communication skills, as they are often a go-to member of a team. While much of their communication will be through spoken language, learning to communicate through sign language can build a helpful foundation for this kind of work. Additionally, this course introduces many key concepts related to communication that could be helpful for understanding human interactions. This course may be useful as a component of a broader training program for those in admin.
Journalist
A journalist researches, writes, and reports on current events and other topics of public interest. This course introduces the fundamentals of Indian Sign Language and different forms of communication. A journalist could benefit from learning about different modes of communication, as well as the history and evolution of language. Learning a new language can help a journalist appreciate the different ways that people communicate in the world. This course may open up new areas of interest for a journalist to explore.
Translator
A translator converts written or spoken language from one language to another. While most translation focuses on spoken languages, this course introduces Indian Sign Language, a visual language. The core concepts of linguistic expression may be helpful for someone who wishes to become a translator, even if the languages differ in modality. This course addresses some of the same principles, including concepts such as vocabulary, grammar, and evolution. This course may be useful for those who wish to engage with a community that uses ISL.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn Indian Sign Language Vocabulary and Key Concepts.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL), covering grammar, vocabulary, and cultural aspects. While focused on ASL, it offers valuable insights into the structure and principles of sign languages in general. Understanding these principles can aid in learning ISL by providing a broader linguistic framework. This book is best used as additional reading to supplement the course materials.
Explores the cultural aspects of the Deaf community in the United States. While it focuses on American Deaf culture, it provides valuable insights into the social norms, values, and experiences of Deaf individuals. Understanding Deaf culture can enhance your appreciation for ISL and improve your communication skills. This book is best used as additional reading to supplement the course materials.

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