Customer Reviews

An Asperger Dictionary of Everyday Expressions

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

 

 

For many people with autism and its related condition, Asperger's Syndrome, metaphors and other "vague" expressions are interpreted at the literal level. In many instances, people on the a/A spectrum have difficulty in understanding metaphors and certain idiomatic expressions.

I like the way Anglo, American and Australian expressions are included. While the suggestion of separating each set of idiomatic phrases and metaphors by country is a good one, that is not to overlook the validity and need for this book. Even if one's child or anyone else on the a/A spectrum uses phrases from other countries, it speaks to inclusion and cultural awareness. I think that speaks to having goals for those who would most benefit from this work and it also is a fascinating look at idioms. It just might make the work of neurotypical (NT) translators lighter; people on the spectrum can consult this book for some of the more ambiguous-sounding expressions.

I recommend "What Did You Say? What Do You Mean?: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Metaphors" by Welton, et al. and feel the Welton book does a much more thorough job of clarifying idioms and metaphors.

All in all, a solid work.

Not just for Asperger sufferers is this dictionary of everyday expressions, a reference tool which has been revised and expanded to include some 5000 expressions to reveal the meaning of everyday idiomatic expressions. People with Asperger Syndrome have difficulties with social communication: here entries are clearly explained, cover British and American English alike, and clarifies phrases commonly used - and confused - in social situations. Any library will find it an excellent language reference.

You wouldn't get this book to learn phrases to use... you would use it to understand other people.

There is just one small problem... most people misuse expressions a lot because they have incorrectly assumed what they mean or heard someone else use them wrong, so you could never be sure what is written here is what was actually meant, and it does nothing to help with people's lack of clarity and precision and honesty when speaking in general, which as a person with AS myself I have found a bigger problem than understanding expressions.

If you or someone you know has a serious problem understanding expressions then this book could be helpful, but I would worry that it is perhaps too comprehensive. Many of the phrases contained within seem a bit obscure or archaic. If you did start using the phrases in here the chances are that no one would be able to understand you!

Nice idea though.

Being a Brazilian, I use this book as a regular dictionary of everyday expressions. If you have to have only two books on English idiomatic expressions, this definitely should be one of them.
One very useful feature is it indicating the offensiveness of each expressions. In the sense of being socially tactful in the use of the language, we non-native English speakers, should be deemed as Asperger syndrome bearers :)

I didn't really expect that the dictionaries for people with Asperger Syndrome(AS) would be published. But I don't believe the dictionary will guarantee 100% to catch the social lives of people with AS. Of course, I do see the author's intention; to help Aspies(people with Asperger Syndrome) cope more smoothly with their society. The stars which indicated social manner(1 star:unlikely to offend, 2stars:may offend, 3 stars:will always offend) is sure to help Aspies know the social convention better. Without knowing them, it can lead to a real disaster. I know it can be quite useful to remember the idiomatic and pragmatic expressions shown in this dictionary when it comes to making conversations more lively. It does satisfy English-speaking adults with AS, but falls short of the details, I suppose.

After all, I could have given 5 stars to this book with more specific examples. For Non-native speakers of English with AS, it might be better to deal with What Did You Say? What Do You Mean?: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Metaphors written by Jude Welton.

Maybe a little over complex, but great collection of metaphorical and idiomatic expressions, amazing how complex language is becoming!

This is an excellent book and not just for people with Asperger's. I think that many of our young people today do not have a grasp of idioms and everday expressions. This book is an excellent resource for high school teachers and students.

this is a great idea, but the author mixes American, English, and Australian expressions. Do you want your American aspie child to start using Australian expressions? Because you know they will, if they read them. Why couldn't the publisher have spent a few extra bucks and made a separate edition for each country?