Synopses & Reviews
ABO 1 (a bout'), "prep." (Revolving about.) The left hand is held at chest height, all fingers extended and touching the thumb, and all pointing to the right. The right index finger circles about the left fingers several times. ACCEPT (a k se pt'), "v.", -CEPTED, -CEPTING. (A taking of something unto oneself.) Both open hands, palms down, are held in front of the chest. They move in unison toward the chest, where they come to rest, all fingers closed. ACROSS (a kros', a kro s'), "prep., adv." (A crossing over.) The left hand is held before the chest, palm down and fingers together. The right hand, fingers together, glides over the left, with the right little finger touching the top of the left hand. ADD "v." (Adding on.) The index and middle fingers of the right "H" hand, palm up, are swung up and over until they come to rest on the index and middle fingers of the left "H" hand, held palm down. "Also" RAISE. ADDRESS (a d' re s), "n., v," -DRESSED, -DRESSING. (Same rationale as for LIFE 1, with the initials "L.") The upturned thumbs of the "A" hands move in unison up the chest. "Also" ALIVE, LIFE, LIVE, LIVING.
Synopsis
American Sign Language -- ASL -- is the third most commonly used language in the United States, after English and Spanish. It is already accepted as a second language requirement in the public school systems in 10 states.
Compact, up-to-date and very user-friendly, Essential ASL contains the 700 most popular signs. Distilled from the American Sign Language Concise Dictionary, one of the most authoritative references in the field, these signs are illustrated with 2,000 easy-to-follow pictures. Hand, arm and facial movements are shown to ensure that the reader learns each technique correctly. 50 common phrases are also featured. Designed for quick reference and portability, Essential ASL is an indispensable aid for users who want to begin signing immediately with confidence.
About the Author
Martin L. A. Sternberg, Ed.D., is a native New Yorker. Deaf since the age of seven, he has spent most of his career working with deaf people. The idea for this book came from Dr. Elizabeth Peet, Dr. Sternberg's sign language teacher at Gallaudet University (for the deaf), in Washington, DC. Dr. Sternberg kept Dr. Peet's ideas and methods, but expanded the work greatly. Early work on the project received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to New York University, the sponsoring institution. A graduate of the City College of New York, American University, and New York University, Dr. Sternberg has enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher at Gallaudet, New York, Hofstra, and Adelphi Universities. HE is currently chairman of the board of trustees of Lexington School for the Deaf and Lexington Center for the Deaf. He is the author of four ASL dictionaries and a Codies Award-winning CD-ROM, all published by HarperCollins. He also received Emmy and Peabody nominations for his ASL series by the NBC network, "Speaking With Your Hands," as well as medals at various international film and television festivals.