Full Description
The fast and easy way to grasp this evolving and growing language American Sign Language (ASL) is something we've all seen deaf people use in restaurants, hospitals, airports, and at work. The communication is fascinating to watch; to see people sharing ideas by using handshapes and body language is remarkable in a world so defined by sound. This new edition of Signing For Dummies gives you a general understanding of the properties of Sign, as well as an understanding of deaf culture. Designed to act as an introduction or a refresher, the book focuses solely on ASL, which is the most commonly used sign language in the United States. Categorized by subject, this illustrated guide covers grammar and sentence structure, along with the tools to get you going in basic conversation by knowing how to introduce and greet people; ask questions and make small talk; order food and chat with salespeople; handle medical emergencies; talk on the phone; get around town for fun or business; and much more. Plus, it stresses how ASL isn't just about using your fingers, hands, and arms, but also about facial expression and body language.* More than 25 percent new and revised content, including the latest technological advances for the deaf; contact signing, code mixing, code switching, interpreting as a profession, and regionalism in signing * Packed with "Fun & Games" sections that invite you to practice specific signs * Hundreds of illustrations throughout, plus a video CD featuring demonstrations by ASL signers showing actual conversations Signing For Dummies is the fast and fun way to get you moving your hands, body, and face to convey meaning that reaches beyond linguistic barriers.
Contents
Introduction 1 Part IThat You Already Know a Little Sign 9 Chapter 2: Warming Up with Signing Grammar Basics 21 Chapter 3: Starting to Sign Basic Expressions 47 Chapter 4: Getting Your Numbers and Times Straight 73 Chapter 5: Signing at Home 87 Part II: American Sign Language in Action 107 Chapter 6: Asking Questions and Making Small Talk 109 Chapter 7: Asking for Directions 137 Chapter 8: Dining and Going to the Market 159 Chapter 9: Shopping Made Easy 187 Chapter 10: The Signer About Town 215 Chapter 11: Takin Care of Business 233 Chapter 12: Recreation and the Great Outdoors 247 Chapter 13: Here s to Your Health 277 Part III: Looking into Deaf Life and Interpreting 297 Chapter 14: The Deaf Community and Deaf Etiquette 299 Chapter 15: Interpreting: Are You Interested? 313 Chapter 16: Using Technology to Communicate 321 Part IV: The Part of Tens 327 Chapter 17: Ten Tips to Help You Sign like a Pro 329 Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Pick Up Sign Quickly 333 Chapter 19: Ten Popular Deaf Expressions 337 Part V: Appendixes 343 Appendix A: Answer Key to Fun & Games 345 Appendix B: About the CD 347 Index 351
