The Joy of Signing Third Edition

A Dictionary of American Signs

Lottie L. Riekehof

• Publisher: Logion Press
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781607319795
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Sign Language
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

The Joy of Signing is one of the most comprehensive guides available for mastering the current basic signs used to communicate with deaf people in either the word order of the English language or in the American Sign Language pattern. This updated third edition provides the basic vocabulary needed for persons entering interpreter training programs. Over 1, 500 signs are clearly illustrated and are grouped by chapter into their natural categories. Families as well as professionals will appreciate this manual's conceptually based vocabulary. It includes sections on the history of sign language and fingerspelling, the art of signing, language patterns of signs, and an illustrated guide for fingerspelling.

The American Manual Alphabet

Drawings show a side view. In actual practice the letters should face the persons with whom you are communicating.

1

Family Relationships

MALE, MAN

Grasp the imaginary brim of a hat with four fingers and thumb.

Origin: tipping the hat

Usage: the first male in the family

Note: Although this is primarily a basic sign intended as a prefix, it is often used alone to indicate any male.

FEMALE

Move the inside of the thumb of the right “A” down along the right cheek toward the chin.

Origin: represents the old-fashioned bonnet string

Usage: male and female applicants

Note: Although this is primarily a basic sign intended as a prefix, it is often used alone to indicate any female.

MAN, GENTLEMAN

Sign “MALE”; then make the sign for “FINE” (tip of “FIVE” hand at the chest). Or sign “MALE”; then bring the flat hand, palm down, away from the head at the level of the hat (the second is rarely used).

Origin: first description—a ruffled shirt; second description—indicates the height of the male

Usage: man of the house; a real gentleman

WOMAN, LADY

Sign “FEMALE”; then make the sign for “FINE” (tip of “FIVE” hand at the chest).

Origin: a ruffled blouse

Usage: a young woman ladies and gentlemen

BOY

Sign “MALE”; then bring the right open hand down to about waist level, palm down. Frequently only the sign for “MALE” is used and the indication of height is omitted.

Origin: a male of small stature

Usage: an active boy; a 3-year-old boy

Note: The hand would be brought considerably lower for a 3-year-old child than for a 12-year-old.

GIRL

Sign “FEMALE”; then bring the right open hand down to about waist level, palm down. Frequently only the sign for “FEMALE” is used and the indication of height is omitted.

Origin: a female of short stature

Usage: a pretty girl

Note: The hand would be brought considerably lower for a 3-year-old child than for a 12-year-old.

SON

Sign “MALE”; then place right hand, palm up, in the crook of the left arm.

Origin: a male baby

Usage: our only son

DAUGHTER

Sign “FEMALE”; then place the right hand, palm up, in the crook of the left arm.

Origin: a female baby

Usage: my successful daughter

FATHER, DAD, DADDY

Using the “FIVE” hand, place the thumb tip against the forehead twice. (Informal) Or sign “MALE”; then open the right hand and move it toward the left, palm up. (Formal)

Usage: Dad, Daddy (use first description); Father...