The Joy of Signing is one of the most comprehensive guides available for mastering the current basic signs used to communicate with deaf people in either the word order of the English language or in the American Sign Language pattern. This updated third edition provides the basic vocabulary needed for persons entering interpreter training programs. Over 1,500 signs are clearly illustrated and are grouped by chapter into their natural categories. Families as well as professionals will appreciate this manual's conceptually based vocabulary. It includes sections on the history of sign language and fingerspelling, the art of signing, language patterns of signs, and an illustrated guide for fingerspelling.

Author Biography

Dr. Riekehof served a Professor of Sign Communications at the world's only liberal arts college for the deaf, Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Previously she was engaged in teaching and research at New York University's Deafness Research and Training Center, where she earned both MA and PhD degrees. Considered one of the leading interpreters in the USA, Dr. Riekehof has been in demand at the highest levels and was the platform interpreter for President Reagan's first inauguration ceremony.