Customer Reviews

The American Sign Language Phrase Book

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 Also think a number of the signs are kinda out of date.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.

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.

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.

I think the illustrations are really poor and hard to follow. there is a chapter on how to just read their illustrations. If they just drew them a little more clear I think it would be easier to learn the signs. I find myself looking up the signs online to see another image or illustration to help me learn the sign.

like the book, although certain signs look the same and or are hard to figure out how to sign. despite those things would recommend this book any time to learn a language just for fun :)

I Knew nothing about sign language and this is very helpful and has lots of diffrent things to learn! would recommend for anyone wanting basic skills of sign lauguage!

WE ARE USING THIS BOOK IN MY SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS AND IT COVERS MANY PHRASES THAT ARE COMMON IN TODAY'S LANGUAGE.

This is one of the few books that is very accurate in it's teaching of proper ASL grammar. It is great for learning individual signs, but it's even better for learning how to use them to effectively communicate with the deaf.

The pictures were very cartoon-like and the depiction of the signing was sometimes hard to decipher just what the gesture actually was supposed to be. Some explanations and/or additional comments would have helped. This book was okay, but not outstanding...I would think a better investment could be made.

This phrase book is excellent in itself. Where it falls short in this 2008 edition is that the illustrations seem a bit smaller, harder to read. The new technology section which was added is a benefit for learning new signs, but the illustrations are clearly inferior to those of earlier editions. I've opted against buying the new edition, deciding to use my earlier one. I went to the book store, looked for the new signs in the new section and learned them. When I wasn't sure of the correct motion (which was too often the case), I looked at other dictionaries on the shelf and found them illustrated much better.