1,000 Signs of Life: Basic ASL for Everyday Conversation [Paperback]

Editors of Gallaudet University Press (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2004

Here’s the succinct handbook that will allow everyone to enjoy the beauty and functionality of American Sign Language. 1,000 Signs of Life: Basic ASL for Everyday Conversation illustrates a potpourri of intriguing and entertaining signs that can be grasped quickly and used to communicate with anyone familiar with ASL, deaf or hearing. Organized alphabetically in 17 categories, this handy paperback offers common signs for animals, food, clothes, people, health and body, the time, days of the week, seasons, colors, quantities, transportation and travel, and many more practical topics. Readers also can learn signs for community-related terms, holidays and religion, and for thoughts and emotions, signs that will offer them the opportunity to experience the full potential of ASL.

1,000 Signs of Life begins with a concise introduction to American Sign Language, including how it evolved and how its grammar and syntax work. Complementing this information are categories on signs for adjectives and adverbs, prepositions and locations, question words, and verbs and action words. Interspersed throughout the text are tips for signing, rules of signing etiquette, and engaging anecdotes about Deaf culture, Deaf people, and the Deaf community. 1,000 Signs of Life provides a fun, fast way to learn basic ASL signs and also offers easy-to-follow instructions and hints on how to use them in a variety of everyday situations. It's the perfect streamlined guide for signing ASL.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Editors of Gallaudet University Press have written and edited more than 50 titles, videotapes, and CDs featuring signed languages during the past 25 years at Gallaudet University, Washington, DC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Gallaudet University Press; 1st edition (April 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563682729
• ISBN-13: 978-1563682728
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple handbook intended for the general reader and student, September 11, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1,000 Signs of Life: Basic ASL for Everyday Conversation (Paperback)

Expertly compiled and organized by the Gallaudet University Press editorial staff, 1,000 Signs Of Life: Basic ASL For Everyday Conversation is a simple handbook intended for the general reader and student. Simple black-and-white illustrations clearly show 1,000 signs that can be learned quickly and used to communicate with anyone who is familiar with American Sign Language. Organized alphabetically in 17 categories, the common signs covered include those for animals, food, clothes, people, health, body, days of the week, transportation, holidays, religion, thoughts, emotions, and many more of solid practical use. A superb reference, self-teaching, and vocabulary building guide, especially for those new to ASL.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars illustrations are hard to understand, December 7, 2006

By 

M. Painter - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 1,000 Signs of Life: Basic ASL for Everyday Conversation (Paperback)

I am disappointed with this book. While it does cover many everyday words in ASL, the illustrations are not of a good quality. I find anything by Garlic Press to be much clearer. It would have been very helpful if there was verbage describing how to make the sign-then the drawings would have made more sense. This is probobly a good book if you already know ASL and just need a reminder. Otherwise, look for Garlic Press flash cards and books, especially if you are just looking for single words(not to have a conversation).

5.0 out of 5 stars A huge help in simple language, April 3, 2011

By 

roskodolly - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 1,000 Signs of Life: Basic ASL for Everyday Conversation (Paperback)

I am loosing my hearing and I have found this book to be of great help. They use this book in my sign language class. I recommend it to any one who is loosing their hearing or anyone who has a family member that is loosing their hearing. If you want to be able to communicate. Get this book! It's simple and easy to make flash cards.