Essential ASL: The Fun, Fast, and Simple Way to Learn American Sign Language

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.

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.