American Sign Language Concise Dictionary: Revised Edition [Paperback]

Martin L. Sternberg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0062740105 | ISBN-13: 978-0062740106 | Publication Date: November 16, 1994 | Edition: Revised

Introducing the first revised edition to the original and most extensive pocket-size American Sign Language dictionary ever published. Included are more than 2,500 of the most widely used words, phrases and idioms in the language, with easy-to-follow illustrations of the hand, arm and facial movements that express each one.

Completely updated and modernized, this monumental work introduces 500 new signs that have recently been added to the evolving American Sign Language lexicon.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most comprehensive and clearly written dictionary of sign language ever published." -- -- Los Angeles Times

About the Author

Martin L. A. Sternberg, Ed.D., is a native New Yorker. Deaf since the age of seven, he has spent most of his career working with deaf people. The idea for this book came from Dr. Elizabeth Peet, Dr. Sternberg's sign language teacher at Gallaudet University (for the deaf), in Washington, DC. Dr. Sternberg kept Dr. Peet's ideas and methods, but expanded the work greatly. Early work on the project received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to New York University, the sponsoring institution. A graduate of the City College of New York, American University, and New York University, Dr. Sternberg has enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher at Gallaudet, New York, Hofstra, and Adelphi Universities. HE is currently chairman of the board of trustees of Lexington School for the Deaf and Lexington Center for the Deaf. He is the author of four ASL dictionaries and a Codies Award-winning CD-ROM, all published by HarperCollins. He also received Emmy and Peabody nominations for his ASL series by the NBC network, "Speaking With Your Hands," as well as medals at various international film and television festivals.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Collins Reference; Revised edition (November 16, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062740105
• ISBN-13: 978-0062740106
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the Better ASL Dictionaries., May 16, 2000

By 

K. L Sadler "Dr. Karen L. Sadler" (Freedom, Pa. USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Sign Language Concise Dictionary: Revised Edition (Paperback)

This is an older version of this particular ASL dictionary. Perhaps some things have changed in his newer versions. I was required to take ASL though Deaf in college as my foreign language requirement. Though I had been exposed to ASL before, English is my first language. Since then, I've collected many books on the Deaf and also ASL books that interested me. This one proved to be much better than the ones that were used in my classes. It is easy to carry, and provides a large amount of signs for a book. The problems with teaching ASL using a book is that it is two dimensional, rather than 3 dimensional. I recommend this book for beginners, but if you are serious about learning the syntax and grammar of ASL it is better to get a CD ROM or take advantage of web sites which show ASL in video streaming. It is even more important to get involved with the Deaf community, because a book cannot tell you how the community uses its language. Karen L. Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, [e-mail]

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are looking for a great asl book, this is the one!, September 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Sign Language Concise Dictionary: Revised Edition (Paperback)

This is a great book if you are having troubles or need to learn asl. It has all the basic words you need and more! If anyone is looking for a book with everything they need then this is definetely the one to buy. Not only did they show a picture but also wrote out how to do it, so if you are visual, or are better learning by words you will understood it clearly and I think it would be worth your money! Martin L.A. Sternberg is the best yet!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Refrence for ASL!, May 14, 2001

By 

S. Berges (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Sign Language Concise Dictionary: Revised Edition (Paperback)

This book is an absolut neccessity for the ASL student. There are signs for nearly everyword you can think of! This book helped me converse with my deaf friends comfortably. I know have a greater knowledge of signs from just about any topic. It is a must for those wishing to learn sign language or have any deaf friends or relatives. It is concise and gives accurate definitions for the sign and the meaning of the word.