The Sign Language, a Manual of Signs: Being a Descriptive Vocabulary of Signs Used by the Deaf in the United States and Canada (Classic Reprint)

Explore the living language of signs used by Deaf communities in the United States and Canada, and discover how signs work as a vivid, visual vocabulary.This non-fiction work presents a descriptive catalog of signs, tracing how hand shapes, motions, and facial cues convey meaning. It explains how the sign language originated from French roots, how signs can express ideas through pantomime, and why context matters in choosing the right form. The text also discusses teaching and preservation, the evolution of signs, and how learners translate signs into clear English or another language. It offers guidance on how to use signs effectively in instruction and everyday conversation, with attention to accuracy, consistency, and the challenges of representing motion and meaning in a visual language. Learn how root signs combine to form words and how context shapes meaning. Understand the historical origins and development of the sign language in North America. See how signs relate to objects and actions through imagery and pantomime. Get practical notes on teaching, standardization, and preserving linguistic purity.Ideal for readers interested in language history, Deaf education, and the practical use of sign systems in daily life.The Sign Language, a Manual of Signs: Being a Descriptive Vocabulary of Signs Used by the Deaf in the United States and Canada Read more