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Books and Articles by Adan R. Penilla II
Adan R. Penilla II, PhD, NIC, NAD IV, CI/CT, SC:L, ASLTA, teaches American Sign Language at Colorado State University and is a freelance interpreter for the Colorado court system.
Articles & Books From Adan R. Penilla II
Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-08-2022
Successfully communicating with others in American Sign Language (ASL) starts with learning to sign the manual alphabet, numbers 1 through 10, important expressions, and important one-word questions. And because good communication also involves manners, learning some basic do’s and don’ts of Deaf etiquette is also helpful.
Article / Updated 02-21-2017
American Sign Language (ASL), like any other language, allows you to communicate your feelings. You can sign about how that movie made you sad or how seeing your Deaf friend made you happy:
Angry: Make the open-5 hand shape, palm toward your face, and pull your hand away from your face, scrunching up your fingers.
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
Raising a brood is quite a responsibility. Nothing is more impressive than teaching your children a second language like American Sign Language (ASL). You can use the signs shown here every day around the house. As you're hanging out with your Deaf chums, see which signs they use with their children and take note.
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
Going out with the gang is a good time for those who like the night life. Deaf people enjoy their social bonds and can paint the town red with the best of them. Often, people go as singles, and other times, it's couple's night out. The signs shown here will help you when you're planning that night out with your friends.
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
Constructed Dialogue is a way to communicate the details of what was said in a conversation. In American Sign Language (ASL), this technique requires your body to shift slightly from side to side so you can role shift. The purpose of this shift is to take on the character of the two people who had the conversation you're describing.
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
Constructed Action in American Sign Language (ASL) is similar to Constructed Dialogue except that you sign actions instead of words from a conversation. Here's a scenario:Wanda is talking to Della about the new dress she purchased to wear to a dinner last week. Wanda is telling Della that the dress fit fine at the mall, but on the night she wanted to wear it, the dress was too short!
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
The holidays and other yearly celebrations are an enjoyable time for family and friends to gather 'round and join in the festive good cheer. Partake in the festivities with your Deaf friends by practicing the signs shown here.
If you're gathered around a table with some Deaf folks and you want to propose a toast, knock on the table to create a vibration.
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
The roots of American Sign Language (ASL) run fairly deep. Although early Greek writings refer to manual communication, no one knows whether those writings refer to just a few gestures or an actual alternative language using signs. Hippocrates studied deafness, and Socrates believed that it was a natural occurrence for Deaf people to communicate manually.
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
This article is all about providing you with ideas to practice and polish your American Sign Language (ASL) signing skills. So if you're reading this, you're on the right track.
Watch Yourself and Others Sign
Recording yourself sign helps you see what others see when you sign. Watching interpreters lets you see how they make facial expressions and how they use signs in context.
Article / Updated 02-08-2017
Signing with your friends has never been easier. You have natural signs and gestures to make your point. This article gives you great ideas for some of the things you can do if you want to pick up American Sign Language a little more quickly.
Volunteer at a Residential School for the Deaf
One way to immerse yourself in the Deaf world is to volunteer at a residential school for the Deaf.
