The Comprehensive Signed English Dictionary (Signed English Series) [Hardcover]

Harry Bornstein (Editor), Karen L. Saulnier (Editor), Lillian Hamilton (Editor)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 456 pages
• Publisher: Gallaudet University Press; 1 edition (April 30, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913580813
• ISBN-13: 978-0913580813
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #485,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the Book!, July 31, 2000

By 

STEVE BASKIN - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Comprehensive Signed English Dictionary (Signed English Series) (Hardcover)

My son is currently nine and is nonverbal. Further, the chances that he will become verbal are very slim indeed. When I purchased this book, it was recommended by his speech teacher. I first thought it was a book teaching me "A, B, C" etc. In fact, signed English allows you to speak in words instead of letters. My son will never get letters but he certainly relates to words. This book has a basic vocabluary but still is quite thick. The number of words is amazing and very useful. We use the book daily and my son's vocabulary has increased dramatically since we began using it. I have read the other reviews stating the alphabetizing is a problem but I can't think of a more practical way to organize such a book. Regardless, this is the book for those wanting to speak to a nonverbal person. Additionally, our son is developmentally delayed but he still is able to communicate with us thanks to this book. Those of you with nonverbal children will think you've discovered gold if you haven't been able to communicate in the past.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, it is., December 6, 1999

By 

Katrina J. Florenc "Reader" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Comprehensive Signed English Dictionary (Signed English Series) (Hardcover)

This is the best overall dictionary for signing that I have seen. It has more words than any other in my library, and it has lots of specific words that I usually don't find (i.e. "diaper" and "diarrhea").

My biggest complaint is that this book does not include the historical clues that help me remember new signs (i.e. that "girl" depicts a bonnet string along the chin).

I also am occasionally frustrated by the alphabetizing (it would be useful to find "you're welcome" in the same place as "thank you").

However, when I simply need to look up a single sign, this is the book I always reach for, and I'm seldom disappointed.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of signs, March 14, 2000

By 

Jann Howell "pbear52" (greenville, sc USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Comprehensive Signed English Dictionary (Signed English Series) (Hardcover)

Sure - you might buy another book if you are beginning to learn to sign. The other book would give you those hints to help you remember the signs. But this one includes TONS of signs you can't find anywhere else - like Scotch tape, or McDonald's, Hanukkah, gymnastics, etc. I found it invaluable as a major addition to my collection of sign books. It just can't be beat.