AnimalSign TO You. Imagine! Signing Is Not Just For Primates Anymore

This book explains a ground-breaking approach to human animal communication--treating animals as language learners. The approach teaches animals a new sign language for them to use to communicate. The language is AnimalSign that Senechal created with her animals. It extends beyond the natural body language animals already use, into new learned gestures. The first part of the book is about AnimalSign Language, its origin, development, structure, and dialects. The second half has a 'how-to-section' for dogs and horses. It shows pictures and stick sketches of the gestures. A teacher, Senechal has a future vision of uses and benefits of animal signing. She describes new and expanded careers for signing animals and people. An explorer, she believes that we just don't know whether animals can learn a new productive language--as until now, no one has tried to teach them in such a focused manner. The author discusses criticism of her approach, and is cautious about making claims of true language learning. She states that capability won't be known for years. Senechal seems comfortable with whatever the outcome. She believes animal signing is useful and fulfilling, and enhances the personal and professional lives of humans and animals. If her vision is fulfilled, Sean Senechal will have initiated a major revolution in our approach to, and expectations for, animals.