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In 1955 Stokoe, a linguist, became fascinated with American Sign Language, the language of the deaf, when he went to teach English at Washington DC's Gallaudet University. At the time, deaf students were expected to learn from writing and lip reading. Long thought to be simple gestures that mimicked spoken English, when Stokoe watched students communicate among themselves by signing he realized ASL was a language unto itself, with its own vocabulary and grammar. In 1960, his book Sign Language Structure was published, and four years later he co-wrote A Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles. These new scholarly studies gave ASL new respect, and ended its banishment in schools for the deaf. Stokoe died April 4 at home in Chevy Chase, Md. He was 80. From This is True for 9 April 2000 Suggestions for further reading:
 By: Mickey Flodin List Price: $16.95 Amazon Price: $11.53 Editorial Review: Here is the complete learning guide that teaches American Sign Language by "category," the most popular and preferred method of teaching and learning. This easy-to-use guide is updated and expanded to include new computer and technology signs and offers a fast and simple approach to learning. Includes: - Vocabulary reviews - Fingerspelling exercises - Sign matching and memory aids - A complete glossary and a comprehensive index - Clear instructive drawings  By: Carole LazorisakDawn Donohue List Price: $21.95 Amazon Price: $14.93 Editorial Review: How to say it in sign. With over 500 photos and an instructional DVD. Focusing on the less formal and more popular PSE (Pidgin Sign English), this is the perfect guide to the fundamentals of communicating through sign in a variety of everyday situations. Inside, readers will discover how to sign for small talk, emotions, directions, weather, family and friends, special occasions, recreation, travel, around the house, dining out, shopping, education, at the workplace, emergencies, and more.  By: Tom HumphriesCarol PaddenTerrence J. O'Rourke List Price: $35.95 Amazon Price: $29.48  By: Lottie L. Riekehof List Price: $23.99 Amazon Price: $16.31  By: Tom L. HumphriesCarol A. Padden List Price: $59.99 Amazon Price: $50.99 |
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