Perfect tool for learning through repetition.
Now, GIFs can do much more than to add a little pizzaz at the end of your tweet and provide you with so many relatable posts on Buzzfeed. They can teach you a new language.
Recently, Giphy released a comprehensive GIF library with 2000 phrases in American Sign Language (ASL). Ranging from everyday words like ‘hello’ and ‘weather’ to more complex signs like ‘lost in train of thoughts’, the signs are categorised into about 10 different topics and users can also look for specific GIFs by searching under “Sign With Robert”.
Giphy cuts videos from the existing web series Sign With Robert, and then adds text descriptions to make these GIFs look like looping flash cards. These GIFs may, at first, seem like any other ones found in Giphy, with the same theatrics that we are used to seeing. But, these GIFs were specially designed to teach the hearing unimpaired people ASL and to empower the Deaf community.
This series was first conceptualised by Walliis Millar-blanchaer, a video artist, and Stephanie Weber, a studio coordinator at Giphy when they were exploring the idea of making use of GIFs to help facilitate a more inclusive type of education.
The looping format of GIFs make them a perfect tool for learning through repetition. Also, the ability to loop infinitely without having to hit the play button over and over again is a plus point. GIFs are also especially suited for the visually engaging and expressive sign language, as explained by the director and producer of Sign With Robert, Hilari Scarl.
Giphy does plan to add more words and phrases to the existing library of ASL GIFs, starting with the top searched words and phrases by the Giphy users. Though one definitely should not expect to become an immediate expert in ASL with these GIFs alone, it is a step in the right direction to help you get started.