American Sign Language users what do you think of people knowing ASL?

[Ella]

It's something I want to learn. I think more people should know it or at the very least know basic signs. I'm not related to anyone deaf, and I don't even know anyone who is. But I still want to learn. It seems like something that would come in handy sometime, maybe never. I sympathize with deaf people not only for having to live in a silent world, but for having to live in a silent world where nobody tries to learn their language to communicate with them. I just feel like I really want to learn it.

If you are deaf tell me what you think of people, like myself, learning your language. Can you read lips well? Do you think it is a waste since you can read lips anyway? And since someone like me would never be as quick at signing as you (since I would only use it ocassionally) is it a waste of time? Also do you know the percentage of people using ASL? Are other languages signs similar- can you communicate with other nationalities more easily than spoken or written words?