Customer Reviews

The Pocket Dictionary Of Signing (Perigee)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As you may already know, this is the pocket-sized version of Mickey Flodin's "Perigee Dictionary of Sign." Filled with clear illustrations, descriptions of each sign and memory aids as well, this book is a wonderful resource to carry with you for "emergencies." Don't depend on this to give you enough vocabulary to have a real conversation, but do consider it a valuable tool in many social circumstances. As a Deaf ASL teacher, I can recommend this book to anyone who wants to carry with them a safety net! :o)

This book helped my whole family learn basic sign language in only a few short hours. I have tried numerous books but this one is the best. I couldn't say more than if you are looking for a book on how to sign...start here it is the best place to start or to brush up on basic knowledge.

I volunteer at a local hospital working with children.Some are deaf. My directer asked me if I wanted to work with these children.I wanted to but I didn't know how to sign.With a few classes and this book I learned how to communicate with these children.Now I really love signing.

First of all, unless you have HUGE pockets, this thing is not a pocket dictionary. I'd recommend The Random House Webster's Pocket American Sign Language Dictionary if you want something that really does fit in your pocket.

Also, don't be wowed by claims that this book gives you access to "over 600 signs." Six hundred is not very many, in the grand scheme of things, and my estimate is that about three in ten signs you'll be looking for (at least), you won't be able to find in this book.

However, that's mostly a natural trade-off: if you want a book in a portable size, you have to sacrifice some of the less common words. Less acceptable is the fact that, in my edition, at least, many words are not included in the main dictionary but in an "addendum" at the back. There's no reason other than editorial laziness for not updating the book by including them in the main dictionary section, and this takes off major marks in my book, since it sometimes means having to look up a sign twice - again, often to discover that it's simply not in the book.

Also mystifying is the fact that there is an index at the back of the book. In my opinion, if a dictionary is doing its job, the index isn't necessary. The index also isn't cross-referenced with page numbers; it's basically just a word list, with words highlighted in bold if they're in the book somewhere.

There's also the fact that the illustrations show hands only, in stark contrast to my pocket ASL dictionary of choice, the Random House Webster's, which shows full torsos for most signs, along with facial expressions. Hand shape is only one attribute of an ASL sign, but this book pays little attention to these other important features.

Finally, the book includes a "helpful phrases" section in the front, which might be useful except for the fact that the phrases are not true ASL. They are "signed English" (or Signed Exact English) phrases which I've noticed in other Butterworth/Flodin books. That means the phrases are in English, not ASL, word order, and include words like "if" and "are" that are not usually used in true ASL conversation.

Given all of that, I do believe this is a decent reference to some limited number of signs, and perhaps a worthwhile purchase if you have no access to another ASL dictionary. (in my case, I bought it because my dictionary of choice was lost and I don't want to have two of the same one if and when I find the original!)

Please also keep in mind that NO dictionary, even an excellent one, is a substitute for a decent course in ASL, and that no print dictionary will teach you grammar or the actual movements and relationships of signs. However, a decent dictionary can be a fine complement to an ASL class or to another form of ASL instruction like baby signing DVDs.

Even so, I'd probably recommend you find another dictionary.

I love the way the authors of this book discribe the signs as well as have drawings. With drawings only, it is really hard to understand signs with movement. This book has really, really helped me learn sign language. It is a great reference guide to keep with you. I have already recommended it to my daughter who is taking a sign language class in college. The memory tips and the use of the words in a sentence are also very helpful. I would highly recommend this book.

GOOD TOOL AND HANDY SIZE FOR THE BAG. ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF WORD ENTRIES AND SYNONYMS IN THE REAR. VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND DRAWINGS. I STARTED OUT WITH ANOTHER FLODIN BOOK CALLED " SIGNING FOR KIDS". I LIKE BOTH OF THESE BUT THIS IS BOOK IS NOT FOR CHILDREN. IT IS NOT UNAPPROPIATE, JUST NOT AS FRIENDLY. A.S.L. IS HARDER FOR ME BECAUSE SOME SIGNS MAY MEAN UP TO 7 DIFFERENT BUT SIMILAR WORDS. I WILL HAVE TO SAY I PREFER THE 'SIGNED ENGLISH STARTER', EXCEPT IT IS TOO LARGE FOR MY BAG AND NOT LISTED ALPHABETICAL.

I have had the WORST luck with this book. As a music teacher, I often use signs to supplement the songs we sing - both in class and in performance. However, out of maybe 35 words I've looked up in this "dictionary", I've found the signs for about five! Words like "special" and "place" are NOT in this book, although they should be.

Not recommended.

I've found this book helpful in my attempts at learning ASL (granted I have not been overly successful at it yet, but I am to blame for that, not the book). The diagrams are clear and I think they've done a good job in the selection of words. In addition to the diagrams there are nice little text explanations on how to make the signs and even suggested memory aids. I haven't done a detailed comparison with other books or anything, but I believe that for the price, and conveniently small size of this book, it is real bargain.

This book was awesome! The only thing I didn't like was the lack of information and how to "produce" the correct sign. It's just pictures and references. It's also difficult to navigate through.

I love the way the book is set up. I actually carry it with me so if I am waiting for someone somewhere I can practice some signing or even learn new words. It is a nice size to be able to carry with you in a purse, book bag, or just carry with you if it is needed. I like how it starts off with sentences that you would need to know right away. I would strongly recommend getting this book.