Whenever I start dreaming in a language I’m learning, I know that it’s taking. Like, I’m struggling a lot learning Spanish but then I had a dream or two where I spoke Spanish and I knew I was going to be okay with learning the language.

I haven’t dreamt in ASL yet but I think that’s to do with the fact that my eyesight is incredibly bad in my dreams. I’m very near-sighted in life but obviously wear glasses. Apparently, since I don’t have those on when I sleep, I also don’t see well in my dreams.

So, I’m currently learning both ASL and Spanish. Started approximately at the same time, although a tiny bit earlier with ASL — but that disadvantage for Spanish should easily be made up by the fact that I already know Italian.

I find it both fascinating and hilarious how in ASL I can now have a smol conversation about where I grew up and my hobbies while in Spanish I’m still building silly little sentences that say “in the summer it’s very hot and sunny.”

I’ve posted a bit about how I’m finally learning ASL. I finished ASL 101 last week and loved every second of it. Which is why I want to tell y’all about the amazing place where I take classes in case you want to as well. Registrations for the March–May cycle are still open! https://www.queerasl.com/registration

A bit about the people behind these classes: Queer ASL provide 2SLGBTQQIA+ positive, accessible, and affordable (donation-based!) online ASL classes. They also offer specific classes for BBIMP (BIPOC) folks and classes for people with disabilities, that each center those identities. Most of the classes are timed for US/CAN timezones but some of the early US morning classes should work well for European folks too. Might be a bit late for Indian timezones etc unless you’re a nights owl.

So if you’ve always wanted to learn ASL but never really found the right place, then give Queer ASL a shot. The fact that it’s queer-centered, Deaf-taught, and online was what made it super easy for me to decide to take the plunge and I’m so glad I did.

See you in class maybe?

I just looked up the sign(s) for autism and yikes! stigma! https://www.signasl.org/sign/autism

Does anyone know any better/less stereotyping ones?

I know that the Deaf community is usually super on top of making signs less problematic, removing racist and other connotations, so I’m pretty certain someone has come up with something better than implying autistic people are closed off. :)

ETA: I already have a reply from my ASL course discord linking me to this Instagram reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cb8a4DyLbrJ/?igsh=YXN4YzF0cXZhdXlz

I absolutely love the idea of RAINBOW BRAIN!

ETA once more: I just came across a BSL video and the person used the same COLORFUL BRAIN sign so maybe that's where it's been borrowed from in ASL.

[boosts more than welcome]

Do I know any ASL learners who are based outside the US? I’m looking for someone to practice with but all my classmates at Queer ASL are US-based which makes it super impossible for me to attend any practice sessions (they’re at like 3 am for me lmao)

Actually, if you’re in the US and a very late night owl or early bird, that would work too :)

[please don’t bother telling me that I shouldn’t be learning ASL if I don’t live in the US because it’s pointless etc; I’ve looked at other sign languages and this was the one that I clicked with]

The new Queer Eye has one deaf hero and I keep startling everyone by yelling when I catch a word/concept!

11:13 on a Tuesday and I’m pondering whether the ASL sign for “parent” is non-gendered if it’s literally a combination of the signs for “mom” and “dad” I think I just made myself more tired.

When people ask me how my name is pronounced I often say "Kai, it rhymes with pie". And yesterday I tried signing that in ASL, just to practice signing, and I realised that with "p" being the same shape as "k" just in a different position, there's a nice added symmetry in that in ASL. I just found that kinda neat.

I’m excited to find out that ASL taps into a part in my brain that hasn’t already been turned to mush by my long day. Hurrah!