The Joy of Signing: A Dictionary of American Signs

361 Pages·2014·6.03 MB·English

The
J
OY

of
Signing
A Dictionary of
THIRD
American Signs
EDITION
02-0521
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Without the assistance and encouragement of many persons, this book would not
have become a reality. My deepest appreciation is here expressed to the following peo-
ple:
Pearl Goings, the artist who spent many hours working with me drawing new pic-
tures and updating those that had originally been prepared by Betty Stewart for Talk
to the Deaf
Sandy Flower, who devoted many hours to the final inking of the line drawings
Linda Martin, who patiently served as sounding board, script reader, critiquer, and
who suggested the present format which makes the book readable and clear
Wayne Warner, book editor at Gospel Publishing House, for guidance along the
way, and Nancy Stevens, for the final editing of the first edition
David Johnston, publisher, who believed in the concept of a sign book in 1963
when no book with line drawings of signs had ever been published
Bill Eastlake, publisher in 1978, who strongly encouraged a revised edition and
who made it possible
Glen Ellard, editor of the second edition, for providing overall guidance, and Nancy
Stevens, for the final editing
JoAnn Smith, who devoted many hours to the third edition revisions
My many deaf friends whose signing skills were an inspiration to me and whose
knowledge of sign language, corrections of my signs, explanations, discussions of ori-
gins, and most of all acceptance of me as a hearing person brought about the original
work and this revision.
©1964, 1978, 2014 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield,
Missouri 65802. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechani-
cal, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without written permission of the copyright
owner, except brief quotations used in connection with reviews in magazines or news-
papers.
Videotape Edition
The Joy of Signing is available on video. Information may be obtained by from Dave
Stecca, 25W560 Geneva Rd., Suite 10, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188 (rstecca@deaf-
video.com). http://www.deafvideo.com/
Puzzle Books
The Joy of Signing Puzzle Book (978-1-60731-379-3) and The Joy of Signing Puzzle
Book 2 (978-1-60731-380-9) by Linda Lascelle Hillebrand with Lottie L. Riekehof, are
available from Gospel Publishing House.
Library of Congress Catalog in Publication Data
Riekehof, Lottie L.
The Joy of Signing: Third Edition
First edition published in / 1978 under the title: The Joy of Signing.
Published in 1963 under the title: Talk to the Deaf.
Bibliography: p.
Includes index.
1. Sign language. 2. Deaf-means of communication.
I. Title.
HV2474.R53 1987 419
86-80173
ISBN: 978-1-60731-361-8
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Introduction to the Third 9 Location and Direction / 118
Edition / 5
10 Verbs and Related Words,
History of Sign Language and Part 1 / 126
Fingerspelling / 7
11 Verbs and Related Words,
Terminology / 8 Part 2 / 139
The Art of Signing / 9 12 Quality, Kind, and Condition / 153
13 Quantity, Size, and Degree / 170
The Language Pattern of Signs—
Signing on the Continuum / 12
14 Communication and
Government / 180
Fingerspelling / 14
15 Education / 194
Manual Alphabet Chart / 16
16 Miscellaneous Nouns / 206
1 Family Relationships / 17
17 Nature / 217
2 Pronouns, Question Words, and
Endings / 25
18 Body, Medicine, and Health / 227
3 Time / 36
19 Home, Furniture, and Clothing / 244
4 Mental Action / 47
20 Food and Related Words / 258
5 Emotion and Feeling / 65 21 Sports and Recreation / 275
6 People, Occupations, and 22 Countries, Cities, and States / 283
Money / 79
23 Animals / 297
7 Physical Movement and
Travel / 94 24 Religion / 307
8 Opposites / 105 25 Numbers / 326
Appendix: Mastering the Art of Tense / 338
Signing Naturally / 333
Continuity, Continuous Action,
Words for Which Signs Are Not Duration / 339
Always Required / 334
Regularity / 339
Statements, Commands, Questions / 335
Directionality of Signs / 340
Types of Questions / 335
Signs Placed at Appropriate Locations
The Conditional Sentence / 335 on the Body / 340
Pluralization and Frequency / 336 Incorporating Numbers / 341
Noun Verb Pairs / 336 Numbers Used with Personal
Pronouns / 341
Intensity and Degree / 336
Negation / 341
Location of Signs in a Story / 337
Classifiers and Size and Shape
Use of Eyes and Index Finger in Specifiers / 342
Pointing / 337
Organizations Serving the Deaf / 348
The Signer Becoming the
Character in the Story / 337 Vocabulary Index / 349
Introduction to the
Third Edition
The acceptance of The Joy of Signing has ing into newer signs and systems. Reactions to
been and continues to be extremely gratifying. some of the new signs appearing in various texts
It has been used as the main vocabulary refer- today have been varied. The consensus among
ence for sign language students in schools and deaf adults is that conceptually based new signs
colleges across the country, by parents of deaf have a place, particularly for deaf children who
children, by professionals, and also by deaf per- should have as much language stimulation as
sons themselves. possible in as precise a form as possible and in
The signs included in this manual are not in- as many modes as possible in order to provide
ventions of the author but observations of sign- them with the tools they will need for their edu-
ing by deaf persons and professional interpret- cational development.
ers with whom the author associated not only All the signs listed in this manual are not
at Gallaudet University and in the Washington, used by all deaf people, just as all words in a
D.C., area, but also in other parts of the country. dictionary are not in the everyday vocabulary
Intended as a dictionary for anyone wishing to of all hearing people. The number of signs in
learn a basic sign vocabulary to communicate one’s vocabulary is not as important as the way
with deaf people, this manual will also help per- the signs are used. A sign does not exist for ev-
sons interested in preparing for entry into inter- ery word in the English language, but a good
preter training programs. signer will know how to choose the sign that
Sign language is a living, growing language most nearly expresses the desired thought.
and, as is true of spoken languages, its vocabu- When a sign cannot be found to portray the
lary will continue to increase. The adult deaf exact meaning, fingerspelling is perfectly ac-
population is interested in enlarging the sign ceptable. Although beginners find this a chore,
vocabulary but not in unnecessary innovations, experienced signers frequently fingerspell even
initializations, and markers, particularly if the words that do have signs. Certain short words,
traditional basic sign provides sufficient clarity. such as car, bus, and job, are usually finger-
The section of this manual covering word end- spelled. To find or to invent signs for such short
ings and word-form changes will explain this words is not necessary since the fingerspelled
further and will point out markers that have been configuration is read as a sign.
in use over the years as well as those now rec- Signs in this manual have been grouped by
ommended for use in some educational settings. chapter into natural categories, but the search
The Joy of Signing does not attempt to in- for an individual sign is best made by using the
clude the many new signs developed in recent index. If the word you are searching for is not
years for use with children. Its purpose is to pro- listed, look for the word closest in meaning and
vide the learner with the basic, traditional signs check the usage in that entry to see whether it
used by deaf adults as well as a knowledge of would be an appropriate choice. This manual
the base from which new signs have been de- contains a number of glosses for many of the
veloped. This knowledge will help the signer to signs but is by no means meant to be exhaus-
judge whether some of the new signs are con- tive. The group of words listed for an entry will
ceptually based. This is not to say that all “new” give you a general idea of the words that are
nonconceptually based signs are unacceptable, included in the concept being signed. Close ob-
but it is important to know the basic signs that servation of the ways deaf people use signs is
are acceptable to the deaf adult before ventur- the best way to improve your own skill.
5
THE JOY OF SIGNING
Using the Manual
To learn signs accurately from this manual, Phrases and sentences have been prepared in
study the complete entry. First, look at the pic- English word order. Adding signs to this word
ture to get a general idea of the sign (remember- order while speaking is called the Simultane-
ing that in front-view drawings the signer’s right ous Method of Communication and is consid-
hand appears on the left). Next, read the origin ered by most deaf people a very natural form
of the sign so you will understand the reason for of communication between deaf and hearing
a particular sign formation, or movement. Often persons. This type of signing is not to be con-
the relationship between a sign and its meaning fused with the manually coded English systems
is quite obvious. When the origin is understood, used in educational settings, but speech or lip
a sign is more easily remembered. An attempt movement does follow the pattern of the Eng-
has been made not only to present a clear draw- lish language.
ing but also to provide a step-by-step descrip- The order in which signs are learned is up
tion of the handshapes and movements. Read to the signer or the teacher. It is suggested that
each description to see whether you are making signs having an obvious relationship to their
the sign properly. meaning be learned first since the signer will
The sentences included with each entry provide feel more comfortable with such natural signs.
either a model of correct usage in context (needed Sports and foods are both categories in which
for words having multiple meanings, such as like, natural motions are made and it is suggested
train, kind, and run) or practice material. Such that these be among the first to be studied.
practice sentences are important since context Enjoy signing—it is more than a means of
influences sign production and a trained teacher communication. Signing frees you to express
of signing can use these or other sentences to de- yourself in a natural way. It is the author’s plea-
velop correct usage as well as production skill. sure to introduce you to The Joy of Signing!
6
History of Sign Language
and Fingerspelling
Throughout the world deaf people have de- The first permanent school for the deaf was
veloped visual language. The language used established in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1817.
by deaf people in the United States is a blend Many years later, after Thomas Hopkins Gal-
of the signs brought from France early in the laudet had seen the establishment of a number
19th century and the signs already in use in this of schools for the deaf across the United States,
country. With no formal sign language in exis- he envisioned the establishment of a college.
tence here at that time, home, local, and French This dream was passed on to his son, Edward
signs blended together to become the Ameri- Miner Gallaudet, who was responsible for es-
can Sign Language, now considered to be one tablishing Gallaudet College, the world’s first
of the most refined and complete sign systems and only college for deaf students, located in
in the world. Although American Indians used Washington, D.C. The charter for the college
signs for intertribal communication, this does was signed in 1864 by President Abraham Lin-
not appear to have influenced the sign system coln.
that evolved among deaf persons and which is Fingerspelling, the use of hand positions to
used today. represent the letters of the alphabet, is consid-
In 1815 a group of men in Hartford, Con- ered a vital and historical element of manual
necticut, became interested in the establish- communication. The positions of the fingers
ment of a school for deaf children but lacked of the hand do, to some extent, resemble the
information on the proper means of educating printed letters of the alphabet. Illustrations of
them. One of these gentlemen, Dr. Mason Cog- the manual alphabet have been found to exist
swell, was particularly interested since his own early in the Christian era. Latin Bibles of the
daughter, Alice, was deaf and had been taught tenth century show drawings of such hand posi-
on an experimental basis by a young minister, tions and it is known that persons who lived in
Dr. Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a graduate of enforced silence, such as monks of the Middle
Yale University. As a result, Dr. Gallaudet was Ages, used fingerspelling as a means of com-
sent abroad to investigate methods then being munication. Most European countries use a
used in England. single-handed alphabet while England’s alpha-
In London, Dr. Gallaudet met the Abbe Si- bet requires the use of two hands. Today each
card, who invited him to cross the Channel and country that has a manual alphabet uses its own
visit his school, which had been founded in version, which is therefore understood only by
Paris in 1755 by the Abbe de l’Epee. The Abbe, users of that particular system.
who is said to be the inventor of the French Signs usually represent ideas and not single
Sign Language, eventually published a volume words. Many signs are iconic, that is, they use a
describing both his sign system and his method visual image for signing the idea. Most clearly
of educating the deaf. After Dr. Gallaudet had falling into this category are animals, for ex-
spent several months studying educational ample, deer (the antlers), elephant (the trunk),
methods as well as signs, he was ready to return donkey (the ears), and goat (the beard and
to America. Accompanying him was a young horns). Signs are also represented by actions,
deaf instructor from the French school, Laurent such as in the following: milk (milking a cow),
Clerc, who had proven most helpful and who coffee (grinding the coffee beans), love (giving
agreed to assist in the new American school. a hug), grow (coming out of the ground). Other
7
THE JOY OF SIGNING
signs are arbitrary and although the originators munication between deaf persons of many coun-
may have had reasons for forming or moving a tries. This language, sometimes called Gestuno,
sign in a particular way, these reasons are un- has been found useful for international events,
known today. such as conferences and Olympic Games for the
It is interesting to note that many of the older Deaf. Persons knowing the language of signs
signs have remained as originally created even find they can cross the language barrier more
though the connection to the origin no longer easily using signs with a deaf person than using
exists. One example of this is the sign for toast, the spoken language with a hearing person.
represented by placing a fork into the bread in In educational circles the language of signs
order to hold it over the flame. Although an at- has now gained respectability and a number of
tempt was made to change this to represent the colleges and universities offer credit-bearing
use of an electric toaster, deaf signers have con- courses. Several also accept proficiency in signs
tinued to use the old form. The sign for deaf to fulfill the foreign language requirement.
was originally made by pointing to the ear and Sign language is viewed by some as a new
mouth, probably to match the now outdated art form and is used in performances by the Na-
terms “deaf and dumb” or “deaf mute.” Al- tional Theater of the Deaf, a professional drama
though a change has been made to point to the group, as a means of presenting deaf people and
ear and sign closed, many deaf people continue their language to a hearing world. Also being
to use the old sign. introduced is signed interpretation of music, a
The question is often asked whether sign beautiful and expressive means of portraying
language is universal. Although signs are used the lyrics, emotions, and rhythm of songs. Both
in many countries, each has developed its own deaf and hearing people are enjoying new expe-
system, which has been standardized to some riences through communication in the language
extent within that country. In recent years an of signs, making it possible for them to live
international sign language has been developed together with better understanding and mutual
that crosses national barriers and permits com- enrichment.
Terminology
Adventitious Deafness—Deafness in persons Fingerspelling (also called the Rochester
who are born with normal hearing but in Method or Visible English)—Use of the
whom the sense of hearing becomes non- manual alphabet to form words and sen-
functional later through illness or accident. tences.
American Sign Language—A visual-gestural Hard-of-Hearing Persons—Those in whom
language used by deaf persons in America. the sense of hearing, although defective, is
Audiogram—A graph on which hearing test functional with or without a hearing aid.
results are recorded. Interpreting—A signed and fingerspelled pre-
Congenital Deafness—Deafness in persons sentation of another person’s spoken com-
who are born with nonfunctional hearing. munication.
Dactylology—Generally refers to fingerspell- Lipreading, Speechreading—The ability to
ing but has been used by some to include understand the oral language or speech of a
signs as well. person through observation of his lip move-
Deaf Persons—Those in whom the sense of ment and facial expression.
hearing is nonfunctional for the ordinary Manual Alphabet—The twenty-six different
purposes of life. single-hand positions representing the twenty-
Expressive Skill—The ability to express one- six letters of the alphabet.
self in the language of signs and finger­ Manual Communication—Communication by
spelling. use of signs and fingerspelling.
8
THE ART OF SIGNING
Manually Coded English—The use of signs, term is generally used to describe the language
fingerspelling, and markers to represent as used by deaf people in which both manual
specifically as possible the basic essentials of signs and fingerspelling are employed.
the English language. An umbrella term used Sign Language Continuum—A concept pre-
to cover the various signed English systems senting the range in manual communication
that have been devised to parallel English ex- that exists among users of signs, moving from
actly. the completely English representation used in
Nonmanual Behaviors—Those features of the educational settings to the non-English pat-
language that are not portrayed with the hands tern (having its own grammatical features)
(i.e., facial expression, head and body move- used by many deaf persons, with all the varia-
ment, and body posture). tions between these extremes.
Oralism, Oral Training—A method of train- Sign-to-Voice Interpreting—An oral presen-
ing or educating a deaf person through speech tation of another person’s signed and finger-
and speechreading without employing signs spelled communication.
or fingerspelling. Simultaneous Method of Communication—
Pidgin Sign English (PSE)—A term used by The simultaneous use of manual and oral
some to refer to signing that combines the communication.
grammatical structure of English and the Total Communication—A philosophy of edu-
signs of the American Sign Language. cating the deaf child which advocates the
Post-Lingual Deafness—Deafness occurring use of any and all means of communication
after language has been acquired. to provide unlimited opportunity to develop
Pre-Lingual Deafness—Deafness occurring language competence. Included are the fol-
before language skills have been acquired. lowing: speech, amplification (hearing aids),
Receptive Skill—The ability to understand what auditory training, speechreading, gesturing,
is expressed in both fingerspelling and in the signing, fingerspelling, pantomime, read-
language of signs. ing, writing, pictures, and any other possible
Sign Language—A language that uses manual means of conveying ideas, language, and
symbols to represent ideas and concepts. The vocabulary.
The Art of Signing
You, the new learner, are embarking on a preter training program. The interpretation of a
journey into a community that enjoys commu- language is a skill learned after a basic fluency
nication. You have decided that signs are im- in the language has been attained. Additional
portant and should be learned. Your enthusiasm study of manual communication alone does not
is high and your first course in signs will give prepare a person to interpret.
you skills with which to begin conversing with
deaf people. Combining Signs, Fingerspelling, and Speech
As is true with any language, the more one Signing and fingerspelling along with speak-
communicates with a native user of the lan- ing or forming the English words on the lips is
guage, the more fluent one becomes. If you will called the Simultaneous Method of Communi-
associate with deaf people, carry on conversa- cation. This is not a simple matter, particularly
tions, attend their social and athletic events, you for those who speak rapidly and would therefore
will find your communication skills improv- have difficulty maintaining a smooth flow of
ing rapidly. Formal training in sign language language while attempting to combine the two
is strongly encouraged, but regardless of the modes of communication. The sign should begin
means of acquiring fluency, one should usually at the same time the word is spoken. This is true
count on a period of 1 or 2 years before attaining also of fingerspelling but is, of course, more dif-
an adequate level of conversational competency. ficult. Signs follow each other in a natural sort
To become a proficient interpreter for the of progression and a pause is made at the end of
deaf, an additional learning period of several a thought. The pause is equivalent to the drop in
years is required, preferably in a formal inter- voice that usually comes at the end of a sentence.
9