Books and Articles by 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.

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.

Remembering a few simple points can help you make American Sign Language (ASL) handshapes like a lifelong signer. Handshapes are hand formations that you use to sign each letter of the alphabet; this is also called the manual alphabet.Your manual dexterity is like a voice that has the ability to sing, and it requires practice.

In American Sign Language (ASL), turning a verb into a person is called personification. You do it with two simple motions: Sign the verb and then glide the heels of your hands down the sides of your body with your fingers extended outward. The result of this is an agent. Look at this list.WRITE + AGENT = WRI

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!

Most people are slaves to their day planners and schedules, and the Deaf are no different. They rely on their calendars like everyone else. To sign months of the year in American Sign Language (ASL), you fingerspell them.You may see a person signing calendar while using the first letter of the month incorporated in the sign.

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.

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.