Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: American Production
• VHS Release Date: March 12, 1996
• Run Time: 43 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303989608
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,278 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is Sign English, not ASL, April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Basic Sign Language [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The title of this video, "Basic Sign Language", is misleading, because it is really teaching a hybrid of American Sign Language (a genuine language, just as English is) and Signed English, which is a cumbersome manual code for English, not a language. Anyone with an interest in and respect for Deaf culture and ASL would be better off taking a few classes taught by a deaf person at their local community college.If you prefer a video, please avoid ones like this which present ASL/Sign English pidgin as the langauge of the deaf (Clues to look for are the arraging of ASL phrases in English word order and the use of strictly English grammar words such as "is".) The true grace and texture of ASL cannot be found here.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Basic etiquette of interacting in ASL is offered., April 16, 1999

By 

Constance Adeyeri (Takoma Park, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Sign Language [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This tape is for a beginner who has no previous experience with the deaf community. The etiquette of interacting with the deaf population is shown. For those unfamiliar with deaf interaction, this is extremely important. She gives very basic information including such important factors as facial expression, numbers and alphabet plus a limited vocabulary in ASL. This tape can help a neophyte get started but is disappointing for people already familiar with deaf culture and seeking to expand their vocabulary.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I found this video to be very insufficient., March 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Basic Sign Language [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I was very disappointed with this videotape. Too much time is devoted to an example of how sign language is used in everyday life, as viewers are "treated" to a trip to a doctor's office. The instructor barely scratches the surface of sign language, and at the end of this videotape I found I had learned very few signs.