Angela Lee Taylor

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.

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.

When participating in the Deaf community, a good rule to follow is, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." In other words, when you're with Deaf people, respect their customs; what you don't know, you can figure out by observation and through asking questions. Basically, just watch and learn. Some of the things you may notice include the following: A sense of unity: Depending on the size of the Deaf community, Deaf people congregate at activities such as bowling leagues, Deaf clubs, Deaf plays, and fundraisers.

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.

Making phone calls as a Deaf person is an interesting event. Some Deaf people use a videophone to see who they are conversing with while other Deaf people would rather talk to other people using a traditional telephone. The question is, how do Deaf people use a house phone/landline if they cannot hear? Deafness comes at different levels.

The workaday world is full of tasks, from stocking shelves to attending meetings. The American Sign Language (ASL) signs shown here make work a little more fun; you can carry on a private conversation with another signer during a boring meeting. BUSINESS: CLOSED DOWN (as in computer screen): DISCUSS: MEETING/CONFERENCE: PROMOTION: TRADING (stocks): WORK: Put these work-related signs into action in the following sentences:English: Are you going to the conference?

What you know about rhetorical questions in English is not the same as rhetorical questions in American Sign Language (ASL). In English, a rhetorical question is a question that does not require an answer. In ASL, a rhetorical question is asked and the person who asks the question gives the answer as well. A rhetorical question is a way of making a point by providing the information for the very question you ask.

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.

Signing about where you're from is a great way to converse with a new friend in American Sign Language. Because it can lead to other topics of conversation, it's a common icebreaker and will help you practice your Sign vocabulary.You can practice your fingerspelling — you may not know the sign of a particular location, or it may not have a sign — and expand your geographical knowledge.