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Find out more about Brittany

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I began signing when I was 14 in high school because I decided to take ASL 1. As soon as I started learning I became involved in the deaf community at my school and made a lot of Deaf and hard of hearing friends. This inspired me to continue learning about ASL & the Deaf community.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Beethoven is someone who proved that deaf people can do anything a hearing person can do. I truly believe that he inspired so many people with his music and a lot of people don't even know that he started losing his hearing when he was only 26 years old. In my opinion, Beethoven can be an emblematic representative of deaf culture because it just shows that deaf people can do anything.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  I really love that deaf culture welcomes everyone. It's so important to feel like you have a part in a culture that wasn't one you were born into. When I started learning ASL I learned that there was an entire community of incredible people willing to help me learn more about the culture and language.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Speaking ASL matters to me for a multitude of reasons. I feel that signing is a skill but if you put in the effort to learn about the culture and language then ASL is a language that can be easily understood. I have always wanted to help people and I feel that signing and teaching others ASL and about deaf culture has become something I hold near and dear to my heart. I sign with my children and this has been something that I've loved incorporating into our lifestyle. I love signing music and poetry because it's beautiful and something I couldn't imagine my life without!

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  Everybody learns ASL at their own pace. This is something that I always like explaining to those I sit down and tutor. It is so important to be patient with yourself and appreciate your ability to learn ASL at the pace you feel comfortable! This is probably the most challenging part about learning ASL but because it's more so believing in yourself that you will learn the language at your own pace and time! Being consistent is very important and as an ASL tutor, I can advise that the best thing you can do is practice practice practice and get involved in your deaf community.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Back in high school when I began taking ASL classes I became pretty much obsessed with learning the language and helping others who were learning. I would always go to the ASL classroom when I had a free period or extra time on my hands to help out and sign with the class. I was signing songs toward the end of high school and having so much fun with helping other students learn how to sign their final project which was a song. ASL was always my passion and everyone could definitely tell.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Being a Navy veteran has allowed me to travel the world and see the deaf community sign in different places in the United States. Certain areas have different "accents" and sometimes different songs which is kind of cool but you wouldn't really realize it until you've seen it or heard about it.

• What makes you a Superprof in ASL?

  I think that taking ASL 1, 2, 3 & 4 in high school and college as well as involving myself in the deaf community makes me a superprof in ASL. I have and always will be passionate about ASL. I am always willing to accept feedback from the deaf community if I sign something incorrectly or have a question about ASL. I can wholeheartedly say that I have found my passion in tutoring ASL through becoming a superprof tutor. If you have a question and I don't have the answer in the moment then I have the resources to find an answer for you. I am proud to be an ASL tutor on Superprof and would love to help you learn.