TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 How to Use This Guide 4 Brief Introduction to American Sign Language ASL 5 Alphabet Chart 6 My Home 8 Bedroom 10 Clothes 12 Toys 14 Kitchen 16 Dining Room 18 Food 20 Bathroom 22 Living Room 24 Outdoors 26 Family 28 Pets 30 Glossary 31 Read More 31 Internet Sites
How to Use This Guide This book is full of useful words in both English and American Sign Language ASL The English word and sign for each word appear next to the picture Arrows are used to show movement for some signs Most ASL signs are understood wherever you go But some signs may change depending on where you are It's like having a different accent For example New Yorkers sign pizza like this People in other places might sign pizza like this or this People will not understand you if they can't see your signs Make sure your hands are always in view when signing with someone Don't be afraid to ask people to slow down or sign again if you don't understand a sign 3
Brief Introduction to American Sign Language ASL Many people who are deaf or hard of hearing use ASL to talk Hearing people may also learn ASL to communicate with deaf friends and family members Signs can be very different from one another Signs may use one or both hands Sometimes signs have more than one step For other signs you must move your entire body If there is no sign for a word you can fingerspell it People use facial expressions when they sign They smile when signing good news They frown when signing sad news Body language is also important Someone might sign slowly to show that he or she is very tired It's important to remember that learning to sign is like learning any language ASL becomes easier with practice and patience 4
Alphabet Chart ASL has a sign for every letter of the English alphabet If there is no sign for a word you can use letter signs to spell out the word Fingerspelling is often used to sign the names of people and places 5
