Customer Reviews

American Sign Language Dictionary, Third Edition

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Since I have a Deaf daughter, I am sometimes asked to recommend a book to help interested persons learn sign language. Although any book can only be implimented to supplement good videos or working with a skilled signer, this one definitely will assist users in recalling signs or learning new ones.

The descriptive definition acts as a helpful word picture of the sign. The information also shows users the different English "words" one sign can represent, so they can be sure they are choosing conceptually-accurate signs to convey what they wish to communicate (think of the many uses of the word "run").

Helpful also - and often very necessary - is the use of more than one drawing to show the progression of the sign, clarifying the written explanation. And since expression is vital in signing, the facial drawings can provide nuances that are important for clear communication.

The American Sign Language Dictionary is one than can be depended on to show the correct ASL signs, instead of English-based ones that find their way into many sign language dictionaries. It's a great resource!

This book is truly the best sign language book I have ever come in counter with. It has more words than all my other dictionaries and it has complete, easy to understand illustrations.

Sternberg's ASL Dictionary is the most incredible resource for American Sign Language, that I have found on the market. As a certified teacher of the deaf, of ESL, and of Foreign Languages, I have used this book for many years in all three contexts.

I love the fact that Sternberg includes 5,000+ signs, and that he offers more than one sign for many words. Parents and teachers of deaf children will recognize the derivation of the signs for a particular word, and be able to choose which sign would be most appropriate for their own context, age group, etc. The signs are given in ASL (American Sign Language#, but several versions of the sign are available, so users of Signed English or of SEE will also benefit. Obviously, teachers of the deaf need one comprehensive dictionary with various versions of signs for a word, to clarify multiple meanings. I have not seen that feature in my other Sign books.

If you teach foreign languages in North America, you know that TPR #Total Physical Response# and TPRS #Total Physical Response Storytelling# are the single most effective method of teaching the students in your classroom to speak in a foreign language today. TPR / TPRS is very simply the use of Sign Language simultaneously with speech in the foreign language. If you use Sternberg's ASL signs #rather than Signed English or SEE#, the sign will be more universal, since it was not created originally for English. ASL has already crossed language barriers, and will help your FL students grasp and retain the new vocabulary in the lesson more easily.

If you teach Beginners in English as a Second Language #ESL / ESOL), no matter how many languages you personally speak, you've experienced the fun of negotiating meaning with students who cannnot yet speak your language, and whose language you do not speak. Sign Language is such an incredible help, giving the ESL student information which helps with processing the unfamiliar things we say.

Yes, Sternberg's ASL Dictionary is expensive -- and worth every penny! I have two hardcover copies, in case I need one at school and one at home. This book has my highest recommendation.

This book is the greatest sign language book I have seen. I love the way it has the old sign to the new one this book is a must for anyone who knows or wants to learn sign language!!!

This was a great price on this book. The explanations of how to sign are excellant as well as the origins. The origins help you remember the sign much more easily. The only miscoming is, although the book is quite large, I was surprised at some of the missing definitions on commonly used words. All in all very useful.

I was required to purchase this book for ASL1. The signs in the book did not match the signs I was taught in class. Both my ASL 1 and 2 teachers told me not to bother with the book. Unless you are going to be an interpreter, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! If you are going to be an interpreter, look for a better book.

A much more user friendly book is, "The American sign language phrase book" by Lou Fant. ISBN 0809235005

This dictionary is extremely useful to the student. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because the first word I looked up was among the missing. That word was "sea", so I guessed it must be covered by "ocean." No ocean either. Since that disappointment, I have found other ordinary words missing, but of course, a dictionary cannot cover everything.

this asl dictionary is great. i bought it because i have AI students at one of the campuses i work at. the book itself was inexpensive, a good size (smaller than letter paper) & weighs almost nothing. the illustrations are clear (black & white) & the explanations of positions of hands are concise. the words are listed with the different tenses & meanings of words & include a phonetic transcription & brief definition so as to use the correct sign. i completely recommend this dictionary to anyone wanting to learn sign--hearing or nonhearing.

I'm taking ASL classes and I bought this book because my textbook didn't have the amount of vocabulary I needed to improve in the language. There are still words I can't find in this book, but it's vocabulary is pretty extensive. The illustrations are reinforced with verbage on how the sign is done (which helps). The cross reference of words is also helpful. I would recommend this book to anyone involved in ASL.

Good resource book. I've seen books with more vocabulary, but it is still a good resource to have when in a pinch.