Q: How do I sign this word?
A: The answer may be on the Internet.
There are several websites that drawings, pictures, cartoons, or video to help you learn the proper signs for a particular word.
Sign Language Dictionary Sites
- ASL Browser - This site has videos of an adult signing.
- ASLPro - Video dictionary divided into a main dictionary, religious dictionary, conversational phrases, and a baby sign dictionary.
- ASL University – This site has groups of words, photos, and cartoons.
- Handspeak - This is a pay site with an alphabetic dictionary that includes homemade signs such as "browser."
- LessonTutor - This site has grouped words by theme, such as "pets." Simple black and white sketches are paired with written explanations of how to make the signs.
- Signing Online - This is a pay site that helps people learn sign language.
- Signhear ASL Dictionary - This site has grouped words from A to Z and includes photos and black and white pictures.
Sign Language Word Reference Guides
About.com has a master Sign Language Word Reference Guide, which is an A-to-Z listing of words for which the signs can be found online. In addition, About.com has several themed mini guides:Everyday Signs
- Clothing Signs
- Food Signs
- Medical Sign Language
- Religious Sign Language
- School Signs
- Signs for Sexual Communication
- Summer ASL Signs
- Technical Sign Language
Holiday Signs
Video and Print Resources to Learn Sign Language
For those who prefer video, sign language videos can be purchased through a variety of deaf and hard of hearing product vendors. Free sign language learning videos can also be viewed online by registering with the Described and Captioned Media Program, which lends video materials and streams them online. To find sign language learning materials on the DCMP website, browse topics to "Deafness," then "Sign Language." Among the popular videos available for streaming are the Bravo Family Beginning ASL Videocourses.If you prefer a book, sign language books for children and for adults are available.
