Is sign language the same in languages other than English?

In response to last week's question, "Is sign language the same in languages other than English?", my friend Richard thought it "unlikely. However, there are some universally-recognized signs, some which you see during rush hour."

My worldly brother-in-law Jay wrote, "Well, it is called American Sign Language . And if we say "Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear..." there was a significant system of sign languages in the Old West. Of course, arguably the best known non-English sign language is Italian. "

While my friend Royce is "waiting for a sign" before he responds, my college roomie John thought, "No, because in some cases, one would sign left to right while other would sign right to left."

Thankfully, my friend Tracey asaked her sister-in-law, who is proficient in sign language, who said, "It is the same because sign language is a symbol for objects. The exact spelling of words differ by language, but not the signs."

Please share your thoughts about "things that make you go 'Hmmmm' " :

If the dog sleeps on the bed and the husband is in the dog-house,
where does the wife sleep? (courtesy of my boss Haim)

Live well......laugh often....have a good week.

In response to last week's question, "Is bacteria the only culture some people have?", my birthday bud Jon knows it could be yes "unless they are Germ-mans." My friend Royce added, "and it just sort of eats away at 'em."

My friend Richard determined that it would be yes unless they eat yogurt."Culturally speaking, for some people bacteria would actually be a step up ," wrote my friend Tracey. "Politically, I imagine most of the world (outside of the US) believes that bacteria is the only culture in America ," adds my college roomie John."

Ferget da bacteria. Culcha is what ya drink," suggests my cousin Wes.

And my running partner's orally-fixated husband Ted (OK, he's a dentist) knew that the unfornunate reality is that most of us have more culture in a swab of saliva than in their upbringing -- whether it is P Gingivalis, Streptococus Mutans, or Actinomyces Actinomycetemcomitans (A.A. for short). I suppose if we all spit on our kids instead of giving them showers, we will not only give them a more cultural upbringing, but we will save water as well.

Please share your thoughts about "things that make you go 'Hmmmm' " :

Is sign language the same in languages other than English?

Live well......laugh often....have a good week.

Why do they make cars go so fast if it is illegal?

In response to last week's question, "Why do they make cars go so fast if it is illegal?", my birthday bud Jon's wife Ruth came through with "because it would be a crime not to."

My quality guru friend Marya knew "Because rednecks need something to do -- DOH!" My Colorado cousin Wes empathized, "So you can drive in Montana or other states with "reasonable and prudent" speed limits."

My dad thought it was "Forward thinking manufacturers anticipating the car will travel on the German Autobahn." My running buddy Tony considered that to be "a testerone-centric marketing ploy."

My friend Kevin clarified, "Speed limits are actually suggestions, not actual laws. And it prevents I-285 in ATL from being boring. Kevin's wife Tracey clearly lives in the same world, as she wrote, "I might need to get to Kroger before the 3-day sale ends! Some situations require that I ignore mere speed limits and get there really fast."

My still-skiing-in-CO friend Mark cautioned, "Currently, it is so that automakers provide the means to subsidize law enforcement. Just wait until Lo Jacks are standard equipment and cars remotely download data from 'black boxes' that is more than 'time for an oil change.' Your own car will rat you out."

It could be that my running partner's husband Ted had the answer. "You're talking to an old pro. Nothing in this world is half as fun or exciting as when it's legal. Speeeeeeed! It's better when you get away with it! (Do drive safe though.)"

PS: My sailing friend Scott wrote, "I'm still working on last week's "Can you procrastinate now?" question.

Please share your thoughts about "things that make you go 'Hmmmm' " :

Is bacteria the only culture some people have?

Live well......laugh often....have a good week.
Hal

I'm on holiday next week, so you're on your own to start the week.