The American Sign Language Phrase Book

This is the reference guide to everyday expressions in American Sign Language, providing the quickest way to converse with people who are deaf or hearing impaired.

Now updated and expanded, this bestselling manual is clearly illustrated with thousands of line drawings and is very easy to use. Organized by topic, its chapters focus on areas such as health, family, school, sports, travel, religion, time, money, food and drink, and even small talk. A detailed discussion of ASL grammar (very different from English grammar) and a compact dictionary of signs are also included.

This edition reflect the evolution of the language--changes in its grammar as well as changes that are a result of the recent movement toward replacing stereotypical signs with their neutral counterparts.

The only ASL phrase book available, this handy guide can function as both an instant reference tool and a long-term study guide.

Lou Fant (1931-2001) was heralded as a leading expert in the ASL field and considered the ambassador between two worlds. He was a teacher, interpreter, consultant, sign language coach, and actor. His accomplishments included cofounding the National Theatre of the Deaf in 1967; creating the sign language for the film “Clan of the Cave Bear;” being the sign language coach in “Children of a Lesser God;” coaching such actors as Diane Keaton and Mare Winningham; appearing in scores of movies, plays, TV shows; and hosting the Emmy Award-winning TV program "Off Hand."