The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning American Sign Language
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Page i Learning Sign Language by Susan Shelly and Jim Schneck A Division of Macmillan General Reference A Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 inside front cover DEAR READER fold-out back cover THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S REFERENCE CARD Page ii To the brave, Deaf children who kept on signing through the age of oralism, despite the taunts and punishments to which they were subjected. ©1998 by Susan Shelly and Jim Schneck All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein. For information, address Alpha Books, 1633 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019-6785. THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO and design are trademarks of Prentice-Hall, Inc. Macmillan Publishing books may be purchased for business or sales promotional use. For information please write: Special Markets Department, Macmillan Publishing USA, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. International Standard Book Number: 0-02-862388-6 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98-85701 00 99 8 7 6 5 4 3 Interpretation of the printing code: the rightmost number of the first series of numbers is the year of the book's printing; the rightmost number of the second series of numbers is the number of the book's printing. For example, a printing code of 98-1 shows that the first printing occurred in 1998. Printed in the United States of America Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering professional services in the book. If the reader requires personal assistance or advice, a competent professional should be consulted. The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Page iii ALPHA DEVELOPMENT TEAM Publisher Kathy Nebenhaus Editorial Director Gary M. Krebs Managing Editor Bob Shuman Marketing Brand Manager Felice Primeau Senior Editor Nancy Mikhail Development Editors Phil Kitchel Jennifer Perillo Amy Zavatto Assistant Editor Maureen Horn PRODUCTION TEAM Development Editor Nancy Warner Production Editor Robyn Burnett Copy Editor Lynn Northrup Cover Designer Mike Freeland Photo Editor Richard H. Fox Illustrator Jody P. Schaeffer Designer Dan Armstrong Indexer Nadia Ibrahim Layout/Proofreading Angela Calvert Megan Wade Page iv CONTENTS AT A GLANCE Part 1: Let's Start at the Very Beginning 1 1 So, You Want to Learn to Sign 3 Let us introduce you to American Sign Language. 2 Who Ever Thought of This Language? 15 How ASL came to be, despite widespread efforts to stop it. 3 But, Is It Really a Language? 29 Is a Language without words really a-language? You bet. 4 I'll Never Get This—Will I? 41 Suggestions and tips for learning and using ASL. Part 2: Preparing to Learn ASL 49 5 The Four Parts of a Sign 51 No sign is complete without four, basic components. 6 It's the Little Things That Make All the Difference 59 There's much more to ASL than hand motions. 7 Variations On a Basic Sign 69 There are various ways to clarify or classify a sign. 8 ABCs and So Forth 77 Learn the American Manual Alphabet and the importance of fingerspelling. 9 1—2—3s 85 You'll learn to count to a million in this chapter. Part 3: Signs You'll Need to Know 97 10 The Family Circle and Beyond 99 Family relationships can sometimes be rocky, but it's still good to know the signs for the people you love. 11 Home and Other Hangouts 109 Find out what makes the homes of Deaf people special, and the signs for common things found in homes. 12 It's Off to Work (or School) We Go 119 Knowing these signs will help you earn that promotion or advance to the head of the class. 13 Pets and Other Beasts 131 If it barks, roars, swims, or grows, we'll show you how to sign it. Page v 14 Anybody Hungry? 139 Next time you want a burger with fries, you'll be able to order it in ASL. 15 Clothing Basics 149 Learn the signs for everything from basics to bangles. 16 Clubs, Celebrations, and Occasions 155 You'll be the belle of the ball once you've learned these signs for special events and etiquette. 17 Weather or Not 163 Weather affects us all every day; let's look at the signs for those climatic considerations. 18 Don't Know Much About Geography 171 Even if you're not good with directions, you'll be able to sign like you are. Part 4: More Signs You'll Need to Know 181 19 Time on Your Hands 183 This chapter covers everything from minutes to years. 20 In Sickness and in Health 191 Learn about the difficulties Deaf people encounter in hospitals, and signs for the parts of the body, illnesses, and emotions. 21 How Would You Describe That? 201 Blue or green, tall or short, nice or mean, big or small—you'll learn how to describe it in sign language. 22 Crime and Punishment 209 Learn about difficulties Deaf people experience within the legal system, and signs for things related to law and order. 23 Come and Worship 217 Find out why religion is important in the history of ASL and learn some signs associated with religion and spirituality. Part 5: Fine-Tuning 225 24 We're Not Done Yet! 227 It's time to look at those fun topics like prepositions and conjunctions. 25 Ask Me a Question 237 There are two basic types of questions in ASL; we'll show you how to sign both of them. Page vi 26 Use It or Lose It 243 Tips for advancing in ASL, and a look into some of the subtleties and humor of the language. Appendix A Resources for the Deaf and for Families and 249 Friends Appendix B “Did You Know That…” 255 Glossary 257 Index 263 Page vii CONTENTS Part 1: Let's Start at the Very Beginning 1 1 So, You Want to Learn to Sign 3 What's It All About? It Depends on Who You Ask 4 A Show of Hands, Please 5 ASL as a Second Language 7 ASL in Sports 7 Poetry in Motion 8 It Ain't the Only Game in Town 9 High-Tech Breakthroughs 11 The Least You Need to Know 12 2 Who Ever Thought of This Language? 15 How Does Deafness Occur? 16 Prenatal Causes of Hearing Loss 16 Childhood Causes of Deafness and Hearing Loss 17 Inherited Causes of Deafness 17 Hearing Loss in Adults 18 Drug-Induced Hearing Loss 18 Misconceptions About Deafness and Deaf People 19 Talk About Being Paranoid! 19 Oppression of Deaf People 20 Early Efforts at Educating Deaf People 22 The Great Debate Begins 22 The Great Debate Continues 23 From France and Germany to the U.S.A. 24 Doing What Comes Naturally 25 Uh-Oh, Here Comes Trouble 26 From Bad to Worse 26 The Comeback of ASL 26 The Least You Need to Know 27 3 But, Is It Really a Language? 29 What's In a Word? 30 What's So Special About ASL? 31 When Learning the Language is Delayed 32 Professional Advice Can Help—or Hurt 33 Page viii Signals in the Air 34 Call Them Accents 35 It's More Than Just a Language, Man 36 Coming Home 36 The Revolution 37 The Least You Need to Know 39 4 I'll Never Get This—Will I? 41 What Will It Take? 42 Using the Dictionary 43 Siglish 44 Sim-Com 44 Not by Book Alone 45 Helping Yourself 45 Practice Makes Perfect—Well, Almost 47 The Least You Need to Know 48 Part 2: Preparing to Learn ASL 49 5 The Four Parts of a Sign 51 The Main Components 51 Is That a “B,” a “5,” or a “Claw”? 52 Location, Location, Location 54 Here, There, and Everywhere 55 Stationary Signs 55 Speed and Intensity 56 Up or Down, Right or Left? 57 The Least You Need to Know 57 6 It's the Little Things That Make All the Difference 59 To Right, or Not to Right? 60 In Your Face 60 Facial Expression 60 Eye Contact 63 Body Language 64 Are We Signing the Same Language Here? 65 Sign Variation 66 Get With It, Mom 67 The Least You Need to Know 67 Page ix 7 Variations On a Basic Sign 69 Gender Rules 70 Signs for All People 70 Compound Signs 71 Could It Mean Anything Else? 72 A Bit of Clarification, Please 73 Modified Signs 74 Whose Car? Or Is It Cars? 75 Possession 75 Plurals 75 The Least You Need to Know 76 8 ABCs and So Forth 77 The American Manual Alphabet 78 Other Signed Alphabets 80 When to Use Finger Spelling (and When Not to) 81 Doing It Right 82 The Least You Need to Know 83 9 1—2—3s 85 Numbers From 1–9 86 10–99 and Counting 87 Oddballs 91 Dollars and Cents 92 Addresses and Phone Numbers 94 Fractions 94 The Least You Need to Know 95 Part 3: Signs You'll Need to Know 97 10 The Family Circle and Beyond 99 It's a Family Affair 100 Mom, Dad, Sis, and Bro 101 They Call You What? 104 Good Buddies and Others 105 The Least You Need to Know 107 Page x 11 Home and Other Hangouts 109 Our Home Is Our Castle 110 A Day at the Beach 114 Places That You Go Each Day 117 The Least You Need to Know 117 12 It's Off to Work (or School) We Go 119 Vocations 120 Things You Do and Use at Work 123 The Great Halls of Learning 124 The Least You Need to Know 129 13 Pets and Other Beasts 131 Hearing Ear Dogs 132 Domestic Animals 133 Wild Things 134 Swimmin' Things 136 Plants and Flowers 136 The Least You Need to Know 137 14 Anybody Hungry? 139 Let's Stay In Tonight