13 best sign language books

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A Month of Instruction

This quick-start plan helps you start signing with ASL in just 30 days.

Simple Lessons

Each lesson singles out one idea, helping you take learning one step at a time.

Key Phrases

Whether you need to say sorry, count, or talk about the weather, find the signs you need.

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Conversation Basics: Thank You/You’re Welcome

With your palm facing in, make a flat handshape and touch your fingers to your mouth or chin area. Then bring your hand out toward the person to whom you are saying “thank you” or “you’re welcome.”

Activity: Signing Sleuth!

I have given you some clues to help you figure out which signs I am thinking of. Let’s see if you can figure out these five mystery words!

1. I am thinking of a bright, cheery color. It often makes people think of sunshine. You can combine it with another color to make orange.
2. I am thinking of a sport. The ball used to play this sport is not round and it is both kicked and thrown.
3. I am thinking of a dessert food that is very cold. It comes in many different flavors and can be eaten with a spoon or licked from a stick.

Activity: Grammar Practice

Practice signing each of the English sentences below using correct ASL grammar. Remember, ASL is a topic-comment language. Also remember that questions are expressed at the end of the sentence. Also, many small English words are not needed in ASL, such as it, is, am, be, are, and to.

1. I don’t like hot dogs.
2. Where is your mom?
3. Is your dog nice?
4. Do you understand the teacher?
5. I’m studying for the test.
6. I like fruits and vegetables.

Activity: Guess the Food

Let’s find out which signs you remember the best! Below, I’ve given you 10 signs that have to do with food. Can you guess what each sign is? After you are done, check the answer key to see how many you identified correctly.

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Must-Know Vocab

From the alphabet to the holidays, discover signs necessary for day-to-day conversations.

Easy-to-Understand Instruction

More than 30 simple lessons (complete with detailed photographs) make it simple to learn.

Practice Opportunities

A variety of exercises offer plenty of chances for you the check in on your progress and refine skills.

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The Basics Of Signing

First thing's first: 'Which hand should I use?' is a common questions for a new learner of ASL. However, it's really as simple as using whatever hand you're most comfortable with. (That way, your signing won't look 'stiff.') This hand is referred to as your "dominate hand" throughout the book. You should also use your dominate hand for finger-spelling (spelling out words you don't know the sign for or that have no sign).

Emotions

Just as saying the same word in a different way can completely change your meaning, the expression of emotion on your face can completely change the meaning of what you're signing. For instance, the facial expression for the word 'Stole' would be completely different if you were saying, 'My shoes were stolen' versus, 'I stole my sister's French fries.' I've tried to help you out throughout the book by reminding you to emphasize your facial expression on signs where it's particularly important.

Be Social With The Deaf Community

The best way to improve your ASL is to be around the Deaf community! Not only will you get a chance to practice your ASL, you'll get more access to various ASL 'accents,' learn new Deaf idioms and slang, and improve your ability to understand what Deaf people are signing. You can find all sorts of different Deaf events around the US at the popular sites, which hosts Deaf Expos around the country several times a year with entertainment, workshops and exhibitions about Deaf culture.

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The first 10 signs

Get off on the right foot with the top 10 starter signs, chosen for how easy they are to learn and how often most babies will use them: milk, eat, more, all done, bed, dog, light, ball, book, and car.

Enough range for babies and toddlers

It’s never too early to start signing—even with a newborn! This book covers signs for 0-6 months, when your baby will just be absorbing information, 6-12 months, when they’ll likely start signing back, and to 24 months and beyond when they can combine signs with speech.

Tips and tricks for success

Find guidance on teaching signs in a way babies can understand, the best times to use them, how to identify when your baby is trying to sign back to you, and tricks for remembering what different signs mean.

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MOM"

With your dominant hand in the 5 handshape, place the thumb just under the corner of the mouth (not directly underneath the nose).

DRINK"

With your dominant hand, make the C handshape and rest the thumb on your chin. Tilt your hand back as if drinking from a cup, leaving the thumb in place.

YES"

With your dominant hand, make the 'S' handshape, hold it up, and nod its “head” twice.

I LOVE YOU"

Hold the dominant hand up, with the pinkie, index finger, and thumb extended.

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Bathroom

With your palm facing out, make a “T” handshape (see page 8) and shake the “T” handshape side to side. You can increase the intensity of this sign by making the movements more swift and urgent, depending on how badly you need to use the bathroom!

Excited

With your palms facing toward your body, make a “5” handshape (see page 9) with your middle fingers bent in. Then, with a joyful expression on your face, make alternating inward circular motions with your hands, tapping your middle fingers to your chest as you go.

Food

Hold your hand in front of your mouth and touch all of your fingers together as if you are holding a piece of food. Then touch your fingertips to your mouth like you’re putting the food in your mouth. This is also the sign for Eat.