This post has been brewing for a little over six months. And finally, I got around to finishing it and summing it up.

There are more than 13 million deaf and hard of hearing people in Russia. The birth of a child with hearing impairment in the family is a difficult test both for parents and for the child himself, who needs special teaching aids and, most importantly, communication with peers and relatives. Fortunately, the Russian Society of the Deaf is actively working on this front. Thanks to the activities of its branches, people with hearing impairments unite and communicate with each other without feeling excluded from the social process.
There are also problems: the lack of educational institutions that accept people with hearing impairments, the lack of sign language interpreters and teaching aids that allow them to master sign language.

The idea to learn Russian sign language and help as a sign language interpreter came to me a long time ago. But since then and to this day, I can not find the time. Materials have already been found, all the necessary information has been obtained, but there is still no time. Well, okay, let's start small - with the primary educational program, so to speak.

Russian Sign Language is an independent language unit used for communication by people with hearing impairments.
Sign language does not consist only of a static figure shown by hands - it also contains a dynamic component (the hands move in a certain way and are in a certain position relative to the face) and a mimic component (the speaker's facial expression illustrates the gesture). Also, during a conversation in gestuno, it is customary to "pronounce" words with your lips.
In addition to this, when communicating with people with hearing impairments, you should be extremely attentive to your posture and involuntary hand gestures - they can be misinterpreted.
The basis of sign language is the dactyl (finger) alphabet. Each letter of the Russian language corresponds to a certain gesture (see picture).

Knowing this alphabet will help at first to overcome the "language barrier" between you and a person with a hearing impairment. But Dactyling (spelling) is rarely used by the deaf in everyday speech. Its main purpose is to pronounce proper names, as well as terms for which their own gesture has not yet been formed.
For most words in Russian Sign Language, there is a gesture that denotes the whole word. At the same time, I want to note that almost all gestures are intuitive and very logical. For example:



"Writing" - we kind of take a pen and write on the palm of our hand. "Count" - we begin to bend our fingers. "Grandfather" - very reminiscent of a beard, right? Sometimes in gestures for complex concepts, you simply marvel at how accurately the essence of the subject is noticed.
The structure of sign language is not complicated at all. The word order corresponds to the usual sentences of the Russian language. For prepositions and conjunctions of one letter, their dactyl gesture (a letter from the alphabet) is used. Verbs are not conjugated or declined. To indicate time, it is enough to give a marker word (Yesterday, Tomorrow, 2 days ago) or put the gesture "was" before the verb.
Like any other language, Russian sign language is very lively, changes all the time and varies greatly from region to region. Manuals and training materials are updated at a snail's pace. Therefore, the recent publication of a primer for children with hearing impairments has become a real event.
The basic gestures with which you can communicate with deaf people are quite elementary:




Forgive me for the handicraft execution, I literally made the plate "on my knee" based on the materials of the 1980 textbook. I note that the word "I" is often shown with the letter I from the alphabet.
But the main difficulty lies not even in the basis of gestures, but in learning to "read" them from the hands. At first, I had to face the fact that gestures are complex - they consist of several brush positions following one after another. And out of habit, it’s damned difficult to separate the end of one gesture and the beginning of another. Therefore, learning zhestuno, in my opinion, will take no less time than learning any foreign language, and maybe more.
The materials on the study of gestuno, which I managed to find on the net, are rather scarce. However:
1. Textbook "Learning gestuno" 1980 edition
2. Dictionary of gestures, approximately the same age as the textbook
3. Training on the knowledge of letters - they show you a gesture, you enter a letter. Entered incorrectly - the face is upset.
5. Relatively new video tutorial on Russian sign language. Archived into a five-part multi-volume archive. The password for the archives (it was apparently set by the author of the manual) is wonderful - Balrog. Attention: the manual does not open on 64-bit Windows =(
Piece 1
Piece 2
Piece 3
Piece 4
Piece 5
6. Translation review literature on the meaning of gestures and facial expressions

All materials for safety were re-uploaded by me to Yandex and also duplicated on the hard disk. On the net, you never know if you can find this or that book again.
Well, in conclusion, I want to say one more thing. I often see people with hearing impairments in the subway and on the street, in cafes. These are cheerful, shining people, completely ordinary, just having other ways of communicating. Deafness does not prevent them from being happy - having friends, a favorite job and a family. They can even sing and dance on zhestuno - yes, yes, people with hearing impairments still hear music, perceiving its wave vibrations.
But at the same time, the thought does not leave me that simply by mastering a couple of gestures, society can make their life much easier and more convenient. I will think, if I do take up the study of gestuno and it does not annoy the friends too much, gradually publish simple phrases in gestuno for everyday use - so that they can be studied and applied if necessary.

Closely connected with research on the grammar of natural languages ​​is research on the language of the deaf and dumb. There are two varieties of such languages ​​- signed and alphabetic. The sign language is characterized by such a semantic syntax, in which there is no rigid division of signs into categories corresponding to grammatical classes. Objects, faces and actions in mimic language are absent in most cases. Often the names of the action and the instrument of action (axe, chop) are designated the same; there are no differences between the subject of an action, a sign of an object and an action, denoted in Russian by single-root words (pure - clean - clean; brave - brave); in some cases, there is no designation of the action and the object to which the action is directed (to milk - milk), the action and the object indicating the scene of the action (to wash - bath). This absence of grammatical classes in mimic speech is associated with its high situationality. The languages ​​of the deaf and dumb vary by region. The American language of the deaf and dumb has been studied in the most detail.

It is known that, feeling the need to communicate with others, deaf-mutes resort to mimic-gestural means.

To a certain extent, these means also serve the deaf-mute to consolidate and generalize the images of the outside world. However, under the influence of the “new doctrine of language” by N.Ya.

In this regard, JV Stalin's statements about sign language are of great importance.

Pointing to the extreme limitations of the means available to sign language, I.V. Stalin writes: “Gesture language cannot be equated with sound language, just as it is impossible to equate a primitive wooden hoe with a modern caterpillar tractor with a five-furrow plow and an ordinary tractor seeder.”

This figurative comparison, which characterizes the relationship of sign language with the language of words in relation to normally hearing people, retains its significance in relation to a more complex system of mimic-gestural signs used by deaf-mutes.

The inclination towards a visual image, the indivisibility of signs, the poverty of technical means, the grammatical unformedness of the mimic-gestural “speech” of the deaf-mutes, and finally, simply a narrow circle of people in communication with whom it can be used - all this testifies to the inconsistency of the sign language of the deaf-mutes, the impossibility put it on a par with the language of words.

Also, some researchers associate gestures with types of pictograms (writing with drawings). However, the opinion that pictography and gestures replaced language at a certain period is without any basis, and gestures and pictography were only among speaking people and could not replace language.

Conclusion.

Psychologists have found that in the process of human interaction, from 60 to 80% of communication is carried out through non-verbal means of expression, and only

20-40% of information is transmitted through verbal

These data make us think about the meaning of “nonverbals” for the psychology of communication and mutual understanding of people, pay special attention to the meaning of human gestures and facial expressions, and also give rise to a desire to master the art of interpreting this special language - body language, which we all speak without even realizing this.

Although communication through body language has been practiced for over a million years, the scientific study of this phenomenon has only begun in recent years, and it gained particular popularity in the 1970s. And it can be foreseen that by the end of our century, people all over the world will learn about this phenomenon and that body language and its significance for communication will be specially taught in educational institutions.

In fact, the surrounding reality and the people living in it are the best scientific and testing ground. Consciously observing one's own and other people's gestures is the best way to explore the communication techniques used by the most complex and interesting biological organism - man himself.

With the help of hand and finger gestures, not only the deaf communicate - they are actively used by many in their daily lives. Hand movements often show the direction, express their attitude towards a person, twisting a finger at the temple, talking with foreigners abroad. In general, sign language is a non-verbal and understandable way of communication for different people, known since ancient times.

History of occurrence

In Christianity, certain positions and movements of the hands were used in oaths and prayers, Muslims endowed each palm and all phalanges of the fingers with the letters of the alphabet. Secret Masonic signs denoted concepts known only to selected brothers. The movements of the palms in emblematics, art, divination had their significance. Many have not changed at all, some have been assigned a different explanation.

Now it is impossible to imagine any conversation or interesting conversation made without active movements of the hands. Moreover, waving and explanations can be both intuitive, unconscious, expressing emotions, and specially selected, carrying specific information. Consider the most commonly used with their meaning.

Everyday finger gestures

There are not so many explanations for finger actions, they are all known and understandable to everyone:

• A fastening in the form of a circle of index and thumb indicates approval, consent, the so-called concept of "everything is okay"
• Raising the thumb is interpreted as approval of an act or action.

• Figa (fig) means refusal, disagreement, it is often shown by children to each other or to adults
• Raising up the middle finger is a very offensive and even indecent gesture, its meaning is a promise to three indecent letters. Expressed in words, it is understood by everyone as the phrase "Fuck you on"
• The thumb down is a demonstration of dissatisfaction with something, an analogue of the particle "fu"
• Quickly rubbing fingers against each other indicates a strong interest, excitement
• When the fingers are clenched into fists, it is better to hold your tongue and watch the words. Perhaps your friend is about to start a fight, especially if the knuckles are white from intense tension.

• Rhythmic or involuntary tapping with fingertips or nails on the table indicates boredom, tension or thoughtfulness.

Everyday hand gestures

Very often, in a lively conversation, people help to describe the impressions or incidents with them with the help of their hands. It happens that a certain pose with crossed arms means a lot. The most common gestures are deciphered as follows:

• Arms crossed at chest level show closeness, unwillingness to communicate or make contact
• Hands crossed behind the back with fingers clenched into fists show a person’s discontent, anger, a strong degree of thoughtfulness
• Unconscious, chaotic waving of the hands speaks of strong excitement, shyness, embarrassment

• A hand extended forward means a desire to say hello, seal a meeting or agreement with a strong handshake. This gesture is most often used by men when meeting or during work negotiations.
• If during a conversation the hands are lowered along the body, the person is calm, not at all worried
• The meaning of raised hands is also simple - this is how athletes usually express their victory. However, in some cases, especially when breaking the law, they mean agreement to comply with the requirements of the police, surrender to the authorities
• If the interlocutor strongly squeezes or nervously squeezes one palm with the other, it means that he is very tense or furious, dissatisfied with the conversation

• Palms folded in a prayer sign, as if praying for help, fulfillment of a request. This is often done by children, begging their mother for a toy or asking for a walk.
• Scratching your head with your palm or rubbing your chin indicates thoughtfulness, a mental analysis of the situation.
• Rubbing your nose means shyness, insecurity in your words and actions.

• If the interlocutor pulls his ears, buttons or belt with his hand, scratches his cheek - he is hiding something or telling a lie
• The hand pressed to the heart expresses the highest degree of conviction and sincerity of the speaker.
• Palms hidden in pockets or behind the belt of trousers show insecurity and shyness.

The list of movements is endless, because each person behaves differently when talking. However, the most common gestures are the same for everyone, they mean the same thing.

Sign language of the deaf

Deaf and deaf people have their own language of communication with the help of hands and fingers. It is easy enough to learn to learn to understand acquaintances or friends who are prone to deafness. After all, you need to show both individual letters and whole words with your hands.

Here are the basic concepts of the language of the deaf:

• Each letter of the alphabet has its own finger sign, there are exactly 33 of them.
• Letters for deaf people mainly show names, surnames, names of cities, rivers, very rare words. Common words have their own gestures
• The language of the deaf has almost 2,000 word meanings.
• The most frequently used words, such as hello, thank you, sorry, are very easy to show and learn from the first time
• Even without knowing the alphabet of the deaf, one can easily explain something to them, because such people understand everything by the movement of their lips. The main thing is to clearly pronounce the words

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL51LOWbXcPVVcBdGyHLRUtg4hqEZDqntx

Differences in the interpretation of familiar gestures depending on the countries

In different countries, hand gestures familiar to Russians can have a completely different, sometimes even completely opposite, meaning. Here are some famous examples:

• Two spread fingers in the form of the English letter "V", denoting the word "Victoria", or "Victory", the British and Australians mean "Get off me"
• An open palm put forward, demanding a stop, in Greece denotes an insult, sending a person to hell

• A thumbs up is a symbol of approval for many. But in Thailand it means censure, condemnation of an act.
• The index finger beckoning motion should not be used in the Philippines - there is an arrest for it
• The fig means refusal in our country, but the Brazilians show it very often. They use it as a wish for health and good luck.

• "Goat" or horns from the index finger and little finger are often used by rockers or musicians. In Italy, such a gesture, directed at any man, means cheating on his wife, bearing the interpretation of "cuckold"
• The middle palen raised up indicates an indecent gesture that sends three letters. In Asia, they are shown something interesting

All these movements with fingers or palms should be studied and applied only where they are appropriate, because out of ignorance it is not surprising to get into an awkward situation and cause discontent among others.

Our life is replete with cruelty towards those whose illness the environment is not able to understand. For example, until the XIV century, deaf and dumb people (unable to hear and speak) were severely persecuted, for many centuries the deaf and dumb were considered dangerous to society. In many countries they were considered abnormal and placed in mental hospitals, and often killed.

In the 16th century, a man appeared who wanted to at least somehow help these unfortunate people. It was the Italian doctor Jerome Cardan, who believed that the deaf and dumb could be taught to use special signs. His work attracted great interest, and during the 17th century an alphabet for the deaf and dumb was created, which has been preserved to this day. However, it took another century for the first school for the deaf and dumb to be opened in Leipzig, Germany. Nowadays, in every civilized country in the world there are educational institutions for the deaf and hard of hearing. In the 17th century, in France, under the leadership of Abbé Charles Michel de l'Epe, and in Germany, under the leadership of Samuel Geinicke, a sign language was created. It was a system of conditional hand and finger gestures that made it possible to convey thought. Then the finger alphabet was invented, which was very similar to the modern one.

In the middle of the 18th century, the deaf French teacher Laurent Clerc arrived at the request of one of the American cities to create the first school for the deaf in the United States. Laurent Clerc himself, being a follower of the sign method of Abbé de l'Epée, influenced the spread of sign language in the United States, which explains the similarity between American and French sign languages.
The ideas of Laurent Clerk were developed by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a pioneer of American deaf education - the theory and practice of teaching the deaf.
The success of the French and German schools of deaf education led to the spread of such institutions in other countries, and either only deaf education ideas were borrowed (as happened in England), or the whole methodology, including sign language itself. The first such school in the USA opened in 1817 in Hartford (Connecticut); worked according to the French method. As a result, American Sign Language (ASL) is more similar to French (LSF) and has little to do with British Sign Language (BSL).
Gallaudet's methods of teaching the deaf were continued. In 1973, the first university for the deaf named after a scientist (Gallaudet University) was organized here in Washington, DC, where deaf students from various countries study.

The first deaf pedagogical school in Russia opened in 1806 in Pavlovsk, near St. Petersburg; as in the USA, she worked according to the French method. As a result, Russian sign language was related to the sign language of America. In Moscow, a deaf pedagogical school opened in 1860. It worked according to the German methodology. Echoes of the struggle between these two methods are still felt in Russian deaf pedagogy.
Almost 85 years ago, this was the only way for the deaf and dumb to communicate - signs, facial expressions and the finger alphabet. Some of them could communicate at 130 words per minute.
In the twentieth century, G.L. Zaitseva and I.F. Geilman made a great contribution to the development of Russian sign language.
In 1965 in Pavlovsk (Leningrad region) I.F. Gale

As you know, language learning always begins with theory. Therefore, at the first stages of learning the language of the deaf and dumb, you will need to get self-tutors. With their help, you can learn the necessary theoretical foundations that are needed to speak the language at a basic, that is, elementary level. In the language of the deaf and dumb, the basics are the alphabet and the words themselves.

How can I learn to speak the deaf-mute language on my own?

If you want to learn how to speak sign language, you need to have a minimum vocabulary. In the language of the deaf and dumb, almost any word can be expressed with a specific gesture. Learn the most common words that people use in everyday life, as well as learn how to pronounce simple phrases.

For this purpose, special dictionaries are perfect: the announcer shows a gesture corresponding to the word and the correct articulation. Similar dictionaries can be found on sites dedicated to learning sign language. But you can also use book format dictionaries. True, there you will see gestures only on, and this is not such a visual way of learning words.

To speak the language of the deaf and dumb, you will also need to learn the dactyl alphabet. It consists of 33 gestures, each of which corresponds to a specific letter of the alphabet. In conversation, the dactyl alphabet is not often used, but you still need to know it: letter gestures are used when pronouncing new words for which there are no special gestures yet, as well as for proper names (first names, surnames, names of settlements, etc.).

Once you have mastered the theoretical part, that is, learn the deaf-and-dumb alphabet and master the basic vocabulary, you will need to find a way to communicate with native speakers with which you will train your conversational skills.

Where can you practice sign language?

It is important to understand that learning to speak the language of the deaf and dumb without practice is an impossible task. Only in the process of real communication can you master conversational skills at such a level that you can understand sign language well and be able to explain yourself in it.
So, where can you talk with native speakers of the deaf-mute language? First of all, these are all kinds of online resources: social networks, thematic forums and specialized sites, the audience of which is hearing-impaired or deaf people. Modern means of communication will allow you to fully communicate with native speakers without leaving your home.

You can go on a more complex, but at the same time more effective way. Find out if there are special schools for the deaf in your city or any other community for the hard of hearing and deaf people. Of course, a hearing person will not be able to become a full member of such an organization. But this is possible if you learn the language of the deaf and dumb not for pleasure, but to communicate in it with someone close to you. You can also sign up to volunteer at a boarding school for deaf children. There you will be completely immersed in the language environment, as you will be able to really communicate closely with native sign language speakers. And at the same time doing good deeds - as a rule, volunteers are always needed in such institutions.