Free eBooks The Gallaudet Dictionary Of American Sign Language Available To Downloads
•More than 3,000 ASL Sign Illustrations•Fully Searchable Full-Color DVD Featuring Every Sign•Special ASL Classifier Section•Complete Index of English Synonyms for Every SignCreated by an unparalleled board of experts led by renowned ASL linguist and poet Clayton Valli, The Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language represents the culmination of more than five years of meticulous assessment and labor. More than 3,000 illustrations arrayed in this volume display the most useful selection of signs to be found in any single ASL reference resource. Each sign illustration, including depictions of fingerspelling when appropriate, incorporates a complete list of English synonyms. A full, alphabetized English index enables users to cross-reference words and signs throughout the entire volume.The comprehensive introduction lays the groundwork for learning ASL by explaining in plain language the workings of ASL syntax and structure. It also offers examples of idioms and describes the antecedents of ASL, its place in the Deaf community, and its meaning in Deaf culture. This extraordinary reference also provides a special section unique to this volume on ASL classifiers and their use. Readers will find complete descriptions of the various classifiers and examples of how to use these integral facets of ASL.The full-color DVD included with this dictionary features a diverse group of native ASL signers demonstrating how to form each of the 3,077 signs. Fully searchable, users can view a sign and quickly go to its synonyms. This and the many other exclusive features in The Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language combine to make it the outstanding ASL reference for all instructors, students, and users of ASL.
Age Range: 8 and up
Hardcover: 656 pages
Publisher: Gallaudet University Press; 1st edition (April 17, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1563682826
ISBN-13: 978-1563682827
Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.6 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (108 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #51,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #33 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Sign Language #36 in Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > English #76 in Books > Education & Teaching > Schools & Teaching > Education Theory > Language Experience Approach
As fas as ASL dictionaries go, this one is the best I've found. The pictures are clear, and the words are logically grouped. It even includes some local/regional signs. The best feature is the disc that comes with it. You type the word, and the sign come up on the screen, in the form of a video clip. They use many signers, so you get to see how different people shape their hands. Also, it includes advanced sign.
This book is good in that it has a ton of signs and comes with a DVD too. The bad part is that the book dosen't have any words describing how the sign is being done. You see an image of the hands moving. The hands start in light color and then they are in bold in the ending position. But without viewing the DVD is hard to see how the sign works. It also dosen't have any memory helpers like a lot of books do. This book might be good if you already know the sign and just need a refresher. It definitely isn't helpful if you're just learning the sign and unless you carry a DVD player with you at all times.
This is an invaluable tool for anyone learning or even already proficient in ASL. I doubt I would have done as well as I did in my first semester without it! The drawings are clear and terminology is easy to locate or research through the glossary in the back. And what truly makes it a "5 Star" tool is the DVD with motion and clear demonstration of the sign gestures and directions. An absolute MUST HAVE for signers at any level!
I have been taking American Sign Language classes for almost two years now. Many of the "book" dictionaries try to illustrate the proper motions and facial expressions for ASL signs, but trying to show these signs in static two-dimensional images, even with descriptions, left me uncertain in many cases. I did use some online dictionaries that demonstrated ASL signs with video clips, but the online dictionaries I found did not provide an extensive number of signs. The DVD with the Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language is outstanding! By typing in the sign you want to see, you can jump directly to a video demonstration for that sign (for more than 3,000 signs). The DVD, like the written portion of the dictionary, is also more up to date than many other ASL dictionaries. When you cannot practice ASL signs with others, observing video clips is the next best thing. This DVD dictionary is an excellent aid.
Another book is better than the Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language. The better book is the Random House Webster's American Sign Language Dictionary, Unabridged. It contains dictionary definitions for the words you are looking up, an explanation of the reason why the sign is the way it is, and a written explanaition of how to make the sign. None of these features are in the Gallaudet Dictionary.At first I did not understand the value of the dictionary definitions in the Random House Dictionary. But then I realized that some English words have very different meanings which are represented by completely different signs. For Example, the word "country" can mean a foreign state or a rural location. Those two meanings have are represented by two different signs.
My wife and I have been studying ASL for several years and we have a number of dictionaries, books, videos, etc. The Gallaudet Dictionary (book) is excellent and has a great many signs not found in other dictionaries. The enclosed CD is fabulous. It is worth the price all by itself. I especially love the ability to slow down or stop action the video of the "sign" to catch the nuances. I have already recommended this book to several friends who are also studying ASL. If I had to pick one ASL dictionary to buy, this would definitely be the one.
I have both this video dictionary as well as the one from NTID/RIT. Upon getting a new Mac that has Lion, both were broken due to the discontinuation of support for PowerPC binaries in Lion. I wrote NTID and Gallaudet both, and NTID supplied the newest version free and it worked. Gallaudet responded that they have no plans to update the dictionary. I reminded them that their campus is FULL of Macs...One star for it being broken in Lion as a warning for others. The book and the dictionary are both wonderful otherwise, and are a great addition to your collection! I just hope they issue a new version that is Mac-compatible.
Deaf who are skilled ASL recommend this as top rated book learn ASL:"It is best book and professional ASL"Set up similar to a thesaurus.
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