'This was the period, about three months after she had commenced, that the first report of her case was made, in which it was stated that "she has just learned the manual alphabet, as used by the deaf mutes, and it is a subject of delight and wonder to see how rapidly, correctly, and eagerly, she goes on with her labours.
'The whole of the succeeding year was passed in gratifying her eager inquiries for the names of every object which she could possibly handle; in exercising her in the use of the manual alphabet; in extending in every possible way her knowledge of the physical relations of things; and in proper care of her health.
'"When left alone, she seems very happy if she have her knitting or sewing, and will busy herself for hours; if she have no occupation, she evidently amuses herself by imaginary dialogues, or by recalling past impressions; she counts with her fingers, or spells out names of things which she has recently learned, in the manual alphabet of the deaf mutes.
'"During the year she has attained great dexterity in the use of the manual alphabet of the deaf mutes; and she spells out the words and sentences which she knows, so fast and so deftly, that only those accustomed to this language can follow with the eye the rapid motions of her fingers.
The 16-day training program tackled different theoretical and practical topics of special education, prevention methods, and the indicating symptoms, while the practical side of the program revolved around the
manual alphabet that is used in deaf education, and had subsequently been adopted as a distinct part of a number of sign languages.
Informative, detailed, illustrated, and enhanced with the inclusion of a Handshape Typology, an American
Manual alphabet, as well as a listing of Symbols and Conventions, "A Historical and Etymological Dictionary of American Sign Language" is a critically important and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library American Sign Language reference collections and supplemental studies reading lists.
In 1887, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, teacher Anne Sullivan achieved a breakthrough as her 6-year-old deaf-blind pupil, Helen Keller, learned the meaning of the word ''water'' as spelled out in the
Manual Alphabet.
Handmade ABC: A
manual alphabet. Reading, MA: Ad dison-Wesley.
The book includes b&w photos of signs and sign sequences on every page, plus signs for the
manual alphabet and a glossary of signs, along with reproducible simple line drawings to use in activities.
She receives a good deal of support from her family and Social Services allocates her seven hours with a guide communicator, who helps her speak to others using the deafblind
manual alphabet, spelling words into her hand by touch.
Sullivan taught Keller to form words using the
manual alphabet. The child learned with amazing speed, and her achievements vaulted her to stardom.
manual alphabet - an alphabet used by the deaf; letters are represented by finger positions