Customer Reviews

Linguistics of American Sign Language: An Introduction, 4th Ed.

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Written by the team of Clayton Valli, Ceil Lucas (Professor of Linguistics in the department of Linguistics as Gallaudet University), and Kristin J. Mulroney (Assistant Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Linguistics as Gallaudet University), Linguistics of American Sign Language is an in-depth reference and resource for intermediate to expert linguistic students, scholars and professionals, now in an updated fourth edition with an accompanying course DVD. The fourth edition of Linguistics of American Sign Language features an entirely revised section on morphology and syntax, the latest research on main categories of verbs in ASL, insight into artistic forms of ASL such as singing, drama, and poetry, 18 new and updated readings, and new suggested homework assignments based on the DVD, and much more. The first half of the text focuses on the nuts-and-bolts grammar and dissection of ASL; the second half is devoted to supplemental readings by a variety of learned authors, discussing nuances of ASL and its usage, variations in linguistic structure, sub-communities of the deaf such as the black deaf community, and much more. Simple black-and-white diagrams illustrate this definitive linguistic compendium and college-level education and consultation reference.

This is an excellent book to understand the meaning of ASL and to analyze it. It is NOT a how to sign book, it is for those who know ASL at an intermediate level at least. It is a very interesting book and covers ALOT of information, but the homework activities included help absorb the information. It challenges your thinking.

I do suggest that you only read this book if you are really serious about ASL. It is a good book for those learning to be interpreters.

This book goes over the structure of ASL such as the phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic and sociolinguistic structures. It teaches you how to think critically about ASL linguistics so you can have a better understanding of the structure as well as the history of the language, NOT a history of the people who use the language, but a history of the language itself and its changes from as early as the 1960's, by looking into the research linguists have done and are doing.

This is a very nice book very informative but more what makes up ASL than how to sign ASL. So if you're looking for what makes up ASL this is your book, but if you're looking for how to form complex sentences and how words inflect this isn't it. But I supposed that's my fault for assuming linguistics=syntax. :D

The Linguistics of American Sign Language explains the morphology and syntax of ASL, not so much the 'how' as the 'why.' This book is useful for the advanced student of ASL, but not particularly helpful for a beginner. The authors, all current or former professors at Gallaudet University, explain in great detail the nuances of American Sign Language.

I was able to save money on buying this book for college. I still have it. I am so glad I was able to save money and not have to pay the high price at the college bookstore.

This book was required for my ASL III class. It is not something I would normally read, but it does have interesting information. The book came cellophane wrapped and in perfect condition. Just as stated. Came very quickly too. :-)

If you are going to take only one linguistics class, and it has to be on the linguistics of signed languages, then this is an adequate text on the subject. If, however, you are trying to be a little better-rounded, I'd recommend reading a non-sign-specific Intro to linguistics text -- one that covers the basics primarily with spoken languages in mind -- then read the fundamental papers covered in Valli et al.

My reasoning behind this is twofold. First, the general linguistics component of this book is pretty weak, and appears to owe a lot to Language Files. Second, this text was designed for use at Gallaudet University, which seems determined to repeat the sins of other, more traditional programs, only through their particular looking-glass. Most linguistics departments are guilty of working with only half the data, namely the spoken languages of the world, in spite of the fact that signed languages have been acknowledged as fully-fledged languages for decades. Gallaudet's remedy? Only cover the other half of the data. If the goal of a general linguistics course of study is to get a broad picture of Language in its diversity, neither approach is sufficient -- and I would extend that to ASL/English (or ASL/Spanish, etc.) interpreters, as they need to speak and think intelligently about *both* their working languages.

It was shipped earlier than the date listed on the site. Product is in great condition. Completely no hassle!