video; give me a sign

[asmywitness]

[Knowing that Solus now knows how to speak Auslan as well, and has worked out as much simply by observing him, Tyler is somewhat put-off by the idea he wants to put out. But at the same time, he put a lot of hard fucking work into it.

On the other hand, maybe it means someone he actually likes will be able to learn to talk to him eventually. He really misses that.

As usual, his video is subtitled, with his 'gear being held airborn by his Rotom while he uses both hands to sign. He looks a bit awkward, somewhat uncharacteristically.]

I know most people here don't actually know me - I'm a bit reclusive for a few reasons - but as general public information, I guess? [His hands wobble a little, in a sort of shrugging motion.] I'm profoundly deaf. Which means I can't hear anything without the use of Isis as my interpreter.

[The Natu sitting on his shoulder looks at him signing her name specifically, and beeps twice, looking quite proud of herself.]

One of my primary languages is actually AusLan - a local sign language from the country I was born in. Which. [He grimaces for a moment.] Doesn't get automatically translated like everyone else's common tongues do, apparently.

So for anyone who was interested, [And now he looks even more awkward, with a faint hint of colour on his cheeks as his gaze flicks briefly away from the camera.] I've made a fairly thorough dictionary of the most common signs, and some notes on the grammar since it's quite different to spoken English. If anyone was interested in learning it, or wanting to practice it or... anything else, then I'm happy to try and give you some advice.

[His signs speed up a little with his embarrassment.] The dictionary's an app, each sign has two videos on how to say it properly - one at proper speed and one slower to show how to do it right. There's only about two thousand words, probably a bit less, I lost track at some point. There's also two fingerspelling alphabets, one uses both hands and one uses one hand. You can just... message me if you want it.

Comments

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[fingersandteeth]

You already *know* I want this.

[asmywitness]

Of course you do.

[That's why Tyler's sending it as soon as he hits send on that text.]

[fingersandteeth]

Thank you. I'll practice so I can maybe use some of them when we see each other next.

[asmywitness]

I promise I'll try and be gentle when you fuck up.

[fingersandteeth]

There are so many awful jokes about that choice of words that I am refraining from making.

text;

[amaure]

[Speaking of Solus...]

My, my! What a marvelous idea. How very impressive, too. It is ever warming to see others sharing their knowledge, even if they are both the benefactor and the benefited.

I do so hope your efforts pay off, friend.

[asmywitness]

Right.

[He hates you, Solus. But he's still sending you the app regardless. Because he said he would, and Tyler is Lawful Neutral at heart.]

[amaure]

[How kind! Here he had expected to be ignored outright, but he has gotten a single word and the app itself. Wonderful.]

You have my thanks, friend.

[And as a show of his appreciation, he's actually fine with leaving it at that, should Tyler feel no need to respond. See, clearly he meant his apology!]

Video->Text

[sleepallthewayhome]

[Newt looks incredibly fascinated. ]

You can talk with your hands?

Oh wait. Sorry.

[Switches to text because she does know what deaf means even if she's never met anyone deaf.]

Is it hard to learn?

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[asmywitness]

[He appreciates you making the effort, child!]

New languages are always kind of difficult. There's not too many different hand signs to learn, it's just applying them all in different ways that makes the words. And some of the really basic ones are really obvious.

I'm Tyler.

[And he sends her the file, because why not foster curiosity.]

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[sleepallthewayhome]

[She will totally devour this file later. Newt is surrounded by so much new things to learn. Also...uh she can really see the value of speaking with your hands if you need to stay silent for any reason.]

Thank you! My name's Newt.

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[asmywitness]

[The problem is, Tyler likes her already. He has a weakness for little sisters.]

You been here for a while, Newt? I've only been here since like, early March.

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[sleepallthewayhome]

Yeah. I've been here for a really long time. Two years and four months. I was only seven when they brought me here.

[And now she's a whole nine years old which is clearly so much older then seven.]

It's really great here though so that's okay.

[text]

[schachmeister]

Could you send it to me, please? I really would love to learn more signs.

[Now he won't have to bug Tyler for more signs!]

[asmywitness]

Of course. This project was largely inspired by teaching you at Prom, actually.

[Have an app!]

[schachmeister]

[It takes a while for Tyler to get a response. First Armin has to download the app and figure out how it works. The set-up is fairly simple, but for a guy who didn't even grow up with electricity, it is always a little more complicated. He just doesn't have a natural finesse when it comes to these things.

But, he figures it out, and eventually, up pops a video. It's of Armin, looking excited and happy, reaching up to tap his chin with his fingers, before sweeping his hand downward.]

[asmywitness]

[Tyler can't help but grin back at that - a little crooked, but broad and sincere - and his fists make quick circles around each other. That one doesn't get subbed, too caught up in the moment as he is, but his following words are.]

Feel free to video me whenever you want if you feel like practicing.

[schachmeister]

Well, uhm. I know this might be too much to ask, so it is absolutely fine if you don't have the time for it, but do you think we could perhaps set up a weekly meeting? So you could teach me more signs?

[Armin figures it might be easier to have a weekly set class, cause then he can schedule around it. But he will understand if that is too much time spent for Tyler.]

[Text]

[puddlesoverdios]

[Erina is delighted at the prospect of learning something new (and making Jonathan learn with her, if he's of a mind).]

I think that is a lovely idea! And I would be very happy to learn. Do you suppose there would be a larger variety of signs in the future?

[Text]

[asmywitness]

[He sends the app first, because he doesn't plan on replying briefly.]

Given how the standard English dictionary is something to the effect of two *hundred* thousand words, and I'm working on this project mostly from memory, it'll take me a fair bit of time to make a substantial update. Especially since I can't just go through a regular dictionary and slap signs down on all the words, it's not a perfect 1:1 ratio.

I do *want* to include more, to be honest, it's just a lot of work trying to remember and record everything.

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[brokencode]

I've always been interested in learning new things, especially a new language.
Is there anything you're interested in learning in kind? A skill for a skill, perhaps?

[asmywitness]

[He makes sure to send her the file as well, then.]

I'm not sure, to be honest, but I'm always open to the idea of learning new things. What kind of skills did you want to offer?

[brokencode]

Well. I have a knack for technology -- navigation, coding, even a little bit of hacking. I've lost some of my touch, so to speak, but I haven't forgotten the skills that supplemented those abilities, if it interests you?

[asmywitness]

I've got a pretty strong digital background already, but I'm very quickly coming to understand that it's very far behind some people's. I wouldn't mind some coding advice to up my game a bit.

[brokencode]

I'd be a touch worried that some of what I'd impart would be too advanced, but I suppose that's a problem for later.

What functions are you looking to fulfill, ideally?