American Sign Language: A Comprehensive Dictionary [Hardcover]

Martin L. A. Sternberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0062700529 | ISBN-13: 978-0062700520 | Publication Date: June 10, 1993

Appearing first in 1981, this dictionary remains the largest and most comprehensive book of sign language ever published. Now, completely revised and expanded, American Sign Language features:

• More than 7,000 sign entries, plus cross-references

• More than 12,000 illustrations

• 2,000 more signs than any other ASL dictionary, including dozens of signs that have only recently come into usage

• Arranged alphabetically to enhance usability

Other features include a pronunciation guide for English language glosses and a foreword to the original edition by the late Mary E. Switzer, United States Commissioner of Vocational Rehabilitation.

American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most frequently used language in the United States after English and Spanish. ASL has its own distinct grammar and syntax. The entries appearing herein represents signs, not words, and the illustrations of the hand, arm, and facial expressions will aid the reader in forming the signs.

This book is indispensable to deaf people and their relatives, friends, and associated. Social workers, otologists, hearing and speech therapists, audiologists, and rehabilitation workers have long considered this book a major addition to their libraries.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Sternberg, a deaf member of the faculty at Hofstra University and the author of four American Sign Language (ASL) dictionaries, has revised the original version of this work (LJ 8/81) to include over 7000 signs and 12,000 illustrations. Produced under the auspices of an editorial committee, the book presents each sign with its pronunciation and part of speech and explanatory matter, including the derivation of the sign, its description in terms of handshape and orientation, and cross references to other words that use a similar sign. While other dictionaries like The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary (LJ 5/1/98) incorporate aspects of deaf culture and phonology into the prefatory material, Sternberg concentrates on signs. The explanatory notes preceding the dictionary portion are refreshingly clear and concise. An excellent addition to public or academic environments.?Andy Wickens, Univ. of Illinois-Chicago Lib. of the Health Sciences
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

"The most complete dictionary of sign language ever published." -- --National Association of the Deaf --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1184 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference (June 10, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062700529
• ISBN-13: 978-0062700520
• Product Dimensions: 2 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,167,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Can't Recommend This ASL Dictionary, June 1, 2004

By 

David (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Sign Language Dictionary Unabridged (Hardcover)

Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book. More than 60 percent of the signs I got out of it were rejected as wrong or outdated by Deaf persons and ASL teachers and interpreters. it was a big disappointment, because of the cost. Better choice is the "Handshape Dictionary."

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good dictionary..., September 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: American Sign Language: A Comprehensive Dictionary (Hardcover)

A very good dictionary, but still a dictionary, not to be confused with a book to learn sign language. If you were to buy, "Joy of Signing" and this, you would probably have a wonderful combination set for learning, "Joy" for learning basic variations for phases, and this for learning advanced(to an extent) variaions. An another good thing about this book is the throwing in of short senteneces, instead of flipping through half the book four times to find all the words for "in a few months" it is listed right there. A draw back is it does not list days of week, numbers, names of months etc. But all together, a very good book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fairly accurate and complete., July 9, 2000

By 

Wendy "springweather" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Sign Language Dictionary Unabridged (Hardcover)

Most of the words I looked up were in this book. It includes religious, sexual, some slang, and many other signs frequently ignored in other books. If an english word has several meanings or if there are several signs for the same word they are in here. If a sign has several meanings, that is noted. The illustrations which are accompanied by directions are also pretty easy to follow. Though the signs sometimes differed to what I've seen commonly used, they were usually accurate. This book is limited by the fact that it only a dictionary and if you want to learn ASL you must learn it through use, a course, or another book.

Overall, I highly recommed this book. It is probably the best book of sign language I have seen.