Customer Reviews

Random House Webster's Pocket American Sign Language Dictionary (Pocket Reference Guides)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recomend this pocket dictionary for fast access to the signs to express more than 1000 common concepts. Practical for have always near when learning the most frequent used words in ASL.

No dictionary is a substitute for a decent course in ASL. No print dictionary can teach you grammar or the actual movements and relationships of signs.

That said, this is a way-cool reference to have, if only because unlike many so-called "pocket" reference books, it actually does fit in a pocket - a feat I wouldn't have believed possible with the many bulky ASL dictionaries out there.

The trade-off, of course, is that this dictionary is not very comprehensive, and perhaps two times in ten I find it doesn't have the word I'm looking for. It really only contains the very most common words. It also doesn't take into account regional dialects, so it may have a sign but not the version you need locally.

However, for beginner signers, including those who wish to learn and teach sign with babies and young children (or in a classroom setting), this is an incredible quick and handy reference.

I especially like the fact that illustrations feature full torsos of the signers as well as facial expression. Those features are both limited by the tiny size of the book, but again, the dictionary should not be used to replace a proper introduction to ASL, preferably with a deaf instructor. This dictionary is invaluable to keep at home or in my purse as a reminder of signs I've already learned.

I can carry this with me at all times. Makes learning the basics of sign language not so overwhelming. Thanks so much.

Very handy, bought 12 more recently for my friends who are learning ASL. Very happy with purchase, and delivery.

This is an excellant dictionary for sign language, but print is very small and difficult to see pictures.

Just what I needed. As a father of a recently diagnosed deaf child, I find this product very useful. It has to the point pictures with text, to ensure that I sign correctly.

A good dictionary to have when you are learning how to sign. It gives very good intructions in how to do the signs.

The size of this book won me over. It is very easy to take along for travel in the car, briefcase, or bigger purse. The illustrations are very clear, and the selection of sign definitions is extensive.

The book is everything I needed. It is easy to use and easy to carry. The illustrations are good.

I have this book, my only hesitation and reason for the 4 star rating is that it looks different from the one that I have, I like the way mine looks much better and if it looked like this purple one I probably wouldn't have bought it.

Mine is gold and has a black stripe that goes horizontally across the whole cover.

I like this book because it is very small and concise which I need because I am using it for baby sign language and I need to reference it a lot to learn/remember signs that we are using, one thing that bothered me a little bit was the lack of words needed to communicate 'bathroom activities' with baby, like number one and number two for instance. I was able to find those online though.