The American Sign Language Dictionary

by Multimedia 2000, Inc.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004R8JP
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 11, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,508 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Who says the book is always better? The American Sign Language Dictionary is a terrific example of how much better some things are in multimedia. Author Martin L.A. Sternberg has also published the esteemed but not-as-fun print version of this reference title. We're sticking with the CD.

The software features four modules: a QuickTime video dictionary, fingerspelling, an overview of American Sign Language, and a well-designed self-testing area. The dictionary is both a learning and reference tool for 2,600 words, with intuitive video rewind and replay controls. Search for the specific words you need, or just browse alphabetically. After studying up, take a test to see how you're doing--this is the software's real asset. And for language geeks, the overview gives more grammar information as well as Internet links. This is likely the only module children will probably enjoy less than adults.

Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone trying to learn or maintain ASL skills, with equal applicability in classrooms and at home. One caveat: like any foreign language, ASL has its own grammar, slang, and even regional dialects that no CD-ROM resource can exhaustively cover, so use the software as a basis for getting out and interacting with the ASL community. --Erik Macki

Amazon.com Product Description

Multimedia is a perfectly natural way to learn in this completely updated and redesigned version of The American Sign Language Dictionary by Martin L.A. Sternberg, Ed. D. With award-winning content and exhilarating learning activities, The American Sign Language Dictionary combines text, video examples, and illustrations to create a rich reference tool that makes learning ASL on your own time easy, intuitive, and fun. Take a guided tour to get started!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Resource, May 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The American Sign Language Dictionary (CD-ROM)

If you need an ASL reference or want to pick up some--buy this. This is a really well designed piece of software, and it's much better to see how to make the signs with video on your computer instead of flipping through a book and having to guess at some of the motions. Wholeheartedly recommended!

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have for Students of ASL, September 18, 2000

By 

Rocco B. Rubino "Rocco R." (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Sign Language Dictionary (CD-ROM)

I absolutely love Martin L.A. Sternberg's mammoth ASL dictionary, and I refer to it quite often when studying. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, a real-life moving one is priceless! ASL dictionaries are good in a pinch, but there is nothing like seeing a real-life model "sign" the word you are looking for. This CD is awesome! There are over 2500 words that are categorized for easy reference. You can record your sessions for testing later.

This CD uses different models who not only sign, but utilize facial expressions as well. Dr. Sternberg has put together an outstanding resource that will greatly advance the signing skills of any ASL beginner. Highly recommended...5+stars!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible installation, March 23, 2001

By 

Yoseif Whiteson (Sunnyvale, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The American Sign Language Dictionary (CD-ROM)

This product has many problems:

1) It doesn't come with a manual, this makes using it and installing it a guessing game.

2) This was written for Win 3.1 (16-bit), so it's clunky in Win 95/98/Me (32-bit)

3) It requires that you DOWNGRADE your QuickTime to an old 16-bit version. This means you can no longer view QuickTime movies on the web!

4) The installer prompts you if you want to install the 16-bit or 32-bit version of QuickTime. Yet according to technical support, only the 16-bit version is compatible with this software. So why does the installer do that?!?