DawnSignPress (DSP) proudly announces the release of The ASL Dictionary: Monolingual Edition, a groundbreaking digital dictionary that provides American Sign Language (ASL) definitions for ASL signs. This one-language approach leaves behind the translation-style of current ASL Dictionaries that are organized and explained in English.

Edited by Ben Bahan, Lisa Jacobs, MJ Bienvenu, and Beth Benedict, this resource honors ASL as a complete, self-defining language. During the ASLTA Conference in Washington, D.C. in July, MJ Bienvenu gave a presentation titled “The 1st Monolingual Dictionary: Elevating the Status of American Sign Language.” The session filled the auditorium at Gallaudet University, reflecting the community’s excitement for this groundbreaking work.

“Creating a monolingual ASL dictionary is not just about the signs, definitions and sentences—it’s about honoring ASL as a complete, independent language,” said MJ Bienvenu. “This work celebrates our culture, our identity, and the power of seeing ASL defined through ASL itself.”

The launch begins with 1,000 carefully curated ASL signs, each entry featuring the sign, a monolingual ASL definition, and an illustrative sentence in ASL showing natural usage. Future updates will expand the dictionary to thousands more signs, eventually becoming the most comprehensive multimedia ASL dictionary available. Unlike existing tools, The ASL Dictionary: Monolingual Edition is entirely in ASL, created by and for the community. The result is an historic first—an accessible, interactive, and authentic resource. The ASL Dictionary can be used by Deaf children, adults, ASL learners, or educators.

The ASL Dictionary: Monolingual Edition is now available on www.TheASLDictionary.com.

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"Creating a monolingual ASL dictionary is not just about the signs, definitions and sentences—it’s about honoring ASL as a complete, independent language,” said MJ Bienvenu.