American Sign Language: Vocabulary - Grammar - Etiquette

American Sign Language is a complex range of hand and facial gestures used among deaf and hearing-impaired communities throughout the United States and Canada. It is a rich, colorful and diverse language, which is quite distinct from spoken or written English. This directory is a basic introduction to the vocabulary, grammar, and etiquette of ASL. It begins with numbers and the letters of the alphabet, before moving on to a range of common words and simple phrases. It is a suitable guide for all newcomers to the language and includes: An introduction to the fourth most commonly used language in the United States. A starter's guide to the principles of ASL. Graphic illustrations showing the handshapes, movements and facial gestures for each word, phrase, letter or number.