Vocabulary — Communication & Writing
These are the words for this kind of lesson, all on one page: how to spell each word, what it means in simple words, and one sentence to remember it by. You can come back to this page any time.
See every vocabulary page in this school
Alphabet (manual)
Spells: A-l-p-h-a-b-e-t-m-a-n-u-a-l
What it means: the 26 handshapes for fingerspelling letters.
A sentence to remember it by: Alphabet (manual) — the 26 handshapes for fingerspelling letters.
Attention
Spells: A-t-t-e-n-t-i-o-n
What it means: in signing, gotten visually: wave, tap, lights.
A sentence to remember it by: Being a good signing friend Get attention kindly.
Camera framing
Spells: C-a-m-e-r-a-f-r-a-m-i-n-g
What it means: what the audience sees of you on screen.
A sentence to remember it by: They came hoping you would do well.
Deaf
Spells: D-e-a-f
What it means: capital D: Deaf community and culture; a word many use with pride.
A sentence to remember it by: Myth: Shouting helps a Deaf friend understand.
Expression (facial grammar)
Spells: Expression (facial grammar)
What it means: facial expressions that are ASL grammar, not just feelings.
A sentence to remember it by: Expression (facial grammar) — facial expressions that are ASL grammar, not just feelings.
Extemporaneous delivery
Spells: Extemporaneous delivery
What it means: speaking from careful planning and short notes, in your own words.
A sentence to remember it by: Most speakers use extemporaneous delivery : plan carefully, practice out loud, speak from short notes in your own words.
Eye contact
Spells: E-y-e-c-o-n-t-a-c-t
What it means: looking at your partner's face; how you listen.
A sentence to remember it by: Eye contact — looking at your partner's face; how you listen.
Fingerspelling
Spells: F-i-n-g-e-r-s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g
What it means: spelling a word letter by letter with handshapes.
A sentence to remember it by: Alphabet (manual) — the 26 handshapes for fingerspelling letters.
Hybrid speaking
Spells: H-y-b-r-i-d-s-p-e-a-k-i-n-g
What it means: speaking to people in the room and people on a screen at the same time.
A sentence to remember it by: Hybrid speaking — speaking to people in the room and people on a screen at the same time.
Impromptu speaking
Spells: Impromptu speaking
What it means: speaking with little or no preparation, like answering a surprise question.
A sentence to remember it by: Impromptu speaking — speaking with little or no preparation, like answering a surprise question.
Include / inclusion
Spells: Include / inclusion
What it means: making sure everyone can take part.
A sentence to remember it by: Signing includes them in all of it.
Interpreter
Spells: I-n-t-e-r-p-r-e-t-e-r
What it means: a trained adult translating between signing and speech.
A sentence to remember it by: Interpreter — a trained adult translating between signing and speech.
Manuscript speaking
Spells: Manuscript speaking
What it means: reading a fully written-out talk aloud, used when exact words matter.
A sentence to remember it by: Manuscript speaking — reading a fully written-out talk aloud, used when exact words matter.
Name sign
Spells: N-a-m-e-s-i-g-n
What it means: a special sign for one person, given by a Deaf person.
A sentence to remember it by: One honest rule: name signs are special.
Public speaking
Spells: P-u-b-l-i-c-s-p-e-a-k-i-n-g
What it means: giving a planned talk to people who are there to hear it.
A sentence to remember it by: Resources to keep — Public Speaking vs Virtual Speaking 911 — in danger now.
Sign language
Spells: S-i-g-n-l-a-n-g-u-a-g-e
What it means: a full language of hands, face, body; ASL is used in the U.S. and much of Canada.
A sentence to remember it by: Signs vary — follow your friend.
Signpost
Spells: S-i-g-n-p-o-s-t
What it means: a spoken marker of where you are in the talk, like "my second reason."
Where you meet it: in the lesson “Public Speaking vs Virtual Speaking (Year 1 Foundations)” in this school.
Virtual speaking
Spells: Virtual speaking
What it means: giving a planned talk through a camera to people watching on screens, live or recorded.
A sentence to remember it by: Resources to keep — Public Speaking vs Virtual Speaking 911 — in danger now.