The American Sign Language Phrase Book [Paperback]

Barbara Bernstein Fant (Author), Betty Miller (Author), Lou Fant (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071497137 | ISBN-13: 978-0071497138 | Publication Date: July 21, 2008 | Edition: 3

Open up a whole new world of communication through ASL

You can easily learn ASL with help from The American Sign Language Phrase Book. With more than 500 phrases, this is the reference guide to everyday expressions in American Sign Language, providing a quick way for you to converse with deaf people.

Clearly illustrated with hundreds of line drawings, this book focuses on areas such as health, family, school, sports, travel, religion, time, money, food and drink, and small talk. This edition's new chapter on technology boasts 50 phrases to help you communicate about the Internet, computing, video relay, and more. There is even a chapter that gives you phrases for communicating about signing: asking people to sign slower, indicating your fingerspelling ability, and requesting help with your fledgling skills.

From asking simple questions (“How are you?”) to more complex phrases (“There's no sign for that, you have to fingerspell it.”), The American Sign Language Phrase Book gives you the power to communicate easily and comfortably in ASL.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lou Fant (1931-2001) was heralded as a leading expert in the ASL field and an ambassador between the deaf and hearing worlds. He was a teacher, interpreter, consultant, sign language coach, and actor. Fant cofounded the National Theatre of the Deaf in 1967.

Barbara Bernstein Fant has taught beginning and advanced ASL at Seattle Central Community College since 1990. On occasion, she contracts with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and Seattle Diversity Words in providing ASL classes and tutoring to various corporations. She has served as the chairperson of the Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services board.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 3 edition (July 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071497137
• ISBN-13: 978-0071497138
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Sign Language

More About the Author

Lou Fant (1931-2001) was heralded as a leading expert in the ASL field and an ambassador between the deaf and hearing worlds. He was a teacher, interpreter, consultant, sign language coach, and actor. Fant cofounded the National Theatre of the Deaf in 1967.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best asl book so far, May 13, 2009

By 

Calee (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Sign Language Phrase Book (Paperback)

I have "ASL the easy way"American Sign Language The Easy Way and I really like it but the grammar instructions could be a bit complicated for the average person. I also have "ABC's of sign"A Basic Course in American Sign Language- expensive - not worth the money if you ask me. Kinda hard to follow. No flow to the book(my opinion). Also think a number of the signs are kinda out of date. This book by the Fants is awesome. Very simple practical explainations of how the grammar of asl works along with some good insights into Deaf culture. Contains new technology signs. MOST important by far though are the illustrations. They show the correct facial expressions for each sentence which is a BIG plus. While some other books have detailed drawings that should show expression clearly sometimes it's muddled in the artwork. However, the simple cartoon-type drawings in this book capture the feeling and expressions needed to truly converse in ASL. I am super impressed with the artists ability to show so much with simple lines. Also very well written. My new favorite ASL book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best for the general reader, August 23, 2009

By 

D. A. Parvaz (Celebration, FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The American Sign Language Phrase Book (Paperback)

90% of the books on "How to sign" should be sent to the trash heap. This is a happy exception. Lou Fant, one of the acknowledged masters both of ASL/English interpreting (his work is legendary in the field) who has taught and coached thousands, wrote this delightful little book which demonstrates sentences in real ASL, provides brief, but accurate descriptions of ASL grammar, uses diagrams which show exactly the right amount of detail (one of the benefits of comics), and shows a gentle humor throughout the book. Other books here are either NOT ASL, have dated or inaccurate descriptions, or are too technical for the average reader. For the most part, they are also written by people who can charitably be described as living in the long shadow cast by Lou Fant. After his passing, his wife Barbara (Deaf and a Master in the field of ASL Instruction) has done a fine job of updating the material to reflect current sensibilities (for instance, when this work was first published in the 1980s, DVDs didn't exist). If this book whets your appetite, check out the Bravo Family series by Sign Enhancers (overpriced, but good), or a course at your local community college.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start at the very beginning, October 6, 2011

By 

meeps - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The American Sign Language Phrase Book (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by my ASL tutor, and not without good reason! The drawings inside are easy to understand and emulate (they also include facial expressions and body language) and the sentences provide a great example of ASL grammar. Some signs inside are SEE-sign, so it is important to use this book alongside a native signer of ASL or a teacher. However, this book is better than any ASL textbooks for beginners that I have encountered.