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Vocabulary Builders In Sign Language: American History/Government

35 minutes

Now Playing As: Captioned (English) (change)

An introduction to sign vocabulary that is specific to American history and government. Many interpreters, teachers, and students are unfamiliar with specialized sign vocabulary because the concepts occur infrequently in daily communication. In this video a Deaf professional signs vocabulary related to his field of expertise. The signs being demonstrated are commonly accepted by the Deaf community, but may not be the only sign for a specific word. Signs often vary across the country, so viewers are encouraged to confirm that signs used in this video are those used in their area/region of the country. Where appropriate, more than one sign or combinations of signs are demonstrated in this video for the same English word.

Media Details

Runtime: 35 minutes

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Man with glasses in a black shirt demonstrates sign language in front of a black curtain. White text in a red box at the bottom of the screen reads, "Congress."
Vocabulary Builders In Sign Language
Episode 1
35 minutes
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman with glasses in a blue shirt demonstrates sign language in front of a black curtain. White text in a red box at the bottom of the screen reads, "Exponent slash power."
Vocabulary Builders In Sign Language
Episode 3
23 minutes 37 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman with glasses in a black shirt demonstrates sign language in front of a black curtain. White text in a red box at the bottom of the screen reads, "Language."
Vocabulary Builders In Sign Language
Episode 4
31 minutes 49 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Person doing sign language. Hands are closed with thumbs out. Thumbs are pointing downwards, one arm at about chest height and the other about shoulder height. Caption: science
Vocabulary Builders In Sign Language
Episode 5
24 minutes 18 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Blonde woman in a pink shirt demonstrates sign language in front of a black curtain. White text in a red box at the bottom of the screen reads, "Passive aggressive personality."
Vocabulary Builders In Sign Language
Episode 6
35 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12

Viewer Comments

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Rachel J. (Youngstown, Oh)
    February 25th, 2021 at 07:45 PM

    This title is very useful for us interpreters and instructors for deaf students. The interpreter/instructor can become familiar with signs and expressions that he/she may not use often, so when the opportunity comes to use these expressions, having them in mind can make for a smoother and better understood interpretation.

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    Madelyn P. (West Covina, CA)
    November 8th, 2017 at 03:20 PM

    A great video which gives a comprehensive list of words and their conceptually accurate signs. I love the vocabulary builders series!

  • Tiny default profile photo
    Anonymous (Staten Island, NY)
    June 8th, 2015 at 09:04 AM

    I found this to be very helpful to prepare for the American History class I will be interpreting. Thanks for the review of history terms.