Free eBooks The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary Available To Downloads
Featuring•More than 1,900 Sign Illustrations Including 327 New Signs •Plus DVD Showing How to Form Signs •Arranged by Handshape for Easy Identification •Complete Index of English Vocabulary for All Signs •An Introduction to Deaf Culture and ASL StructureThe first reference source that allows users to access ASL signs without previous knowledge of their English equivalents (far superior to those in most other English-ASL glossaries). Likely to become indispensable on many educators’ and students’ bookshelves.—CHOICENow, the bestselling resource The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary has been completely revised with more than 320 new signs and a new DVD. This unique reference can help users locate a sign whose meaning they have forgotten, or help them find the meaning of a new sign they have just seen for the first time. It organizes more than 1,900 ASL signs by 40 basic handshapes and includes detailed descriptions on how to form these signs to represent the different English words that they might mean. ASL students can begin to track down a sign by determining whether it is formed with one hand or two. Further distinctions of handshape, palm orientation, location, movement, and other nonmanual body signals help them pinpoint their search while also refining their grasp of ASL syntax and grammar. A complete English word index provides the option of referring to an alphabetical listing of English terms to locate an equivalent sign or choice of signs.The new DVD shows how each sign is formed from beginning to end. Users can watch a sign at various speeds to learn precisely how to master it themselves. Together, the new edition of The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary and its accompanying DVD presents students, sign language teachers, and deaf and hearing people alike with the perfect combination for enhancing communication skills in both ASL and English.
Age Range: 8 and up
Hardcover: 456 pages
Publisher: Gallaudet University Press; 2, w/DVD edition (July 31, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1563684446
ISBN-13: 978-1563684449
Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.4 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #64,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #32 in Books > Textbooks > Communication & Journalism > Speech #40 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Sign Language #63 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Speech
I have quite a collection of ASL dictionaries, because I am deaf but didn't learn ASL until later in life. Now I am in science education, and I still need the dictionaries to write about the differences in ASL and English when translating science curricula. This is the best dictionary on the market today. The author used the format they use for most other dictionaries when going from English to that language and back. Only in ASLs case instead of written words as the phonemes or morphemes, you have handshapes. As the other reviewer stated, with this dictionary you can go from English to ASL, and deaf people can go from known handshapes to the most representative English word. Up til this point there was no dictionary for the Deaf to use to refer back to the English words. This is also the only format where you don't have to go hunting through the book for what you are looking for. Like all written mediums for dictionaries and ASL its only problem is its two dimensional presentation. However, the work they put into finally making a dictionary in the right way for ASL far outweighs the two dimensional concern. As an educator, this is the book I recommend and use for my classes and for my papers. Karen L. Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.edu
Finally a book that allows you to search for signs based on their handshape. Many ASL students have difficulty understanding ASL users. This book gives them a better chance to look up signs to comprehend them instead of using looking up an English gloss to learn what THEY want to say! The only drawback? Not enough! This book should be expanded. I hope to see more signs included in the next edition. (There will be a next edition right?)
This book has a unique approach to learning sign language making it different from other books previously published. This is the first book that allows you to go from Spoken English to ASL and VICE VERSA!! Essential text for anyone who wants to learn to sign or to read the signs of others.
This book has been my best resource in three years of sign language study. It is beautifully produced and compact, which makes it easy to carry as a ready reference. The vocabulary has been most satisfactory for the first three years of ASL courses and I expect it will continue to be my most valued resource for many reasons, a few of which are as follows: (1) The vast amount of material covered in the introduction reinforces the areas of grammar, fingerspelling and usage covered in class. (2) The system of ordering signs by handshape reinforces the fact that ASL is an independent language. (3) The variety of glosses that can be expressed with a single sign are together, unlike every other dictionary I have seen. This not only creates the desired compact format, but helps the student learn and appreciate the range of expression possible in ASL. (4) It is the only true two-way signing dictionary for this language, which makes it an essential adjunct to learning the language. It is clear, with my continued use, that the authors are teachers and know just what is needed to promote learning.
Handshapes are crucial when learning asl. Forget the joy of signing book. This will get you much farther. It is modern and has more usuable signs than others. Well organized.
I bought this DVD because I absolutely loved the (book) dictionary I purchased a month ago. The book has been extremely helpful. It completely describes the handshape(s) and palm orientation necessary to perform each sign correctly. I think that the DVD will be just as beneficial but I was disappointed because I thought I was buying a DVD that I could watch on my television set. This is actually a DVD-ROM that can only be used on a computer. (I am not tech savvy but I had my daughter check it out for me and she confirmed this.) I suppose this is something I should've expected since the DVD is somewhat interactive but I had simply imagined that there would be chapters on the menu page that I could navigate through to find the signs. The DVD itself is a little bit grainy but it is nice to see real people signing since the book only has drawings.
Very good book. It separates vocabulary by the handshape instead of by alphabet. It is approved by the Deaf Studies Programme that I am involved in. There are many books on signing but most do not have ASL signs. This is a worthwhile purchase--there are flashcards available as well.
Pros: Nice, basic signs for the beginner, Deaf as well as Hearing. I believe there is a place for this book in all Beginners' ASL libraries. I especially appreciate the attention to 'non-manual signals.' Kudos to the authors/illustrator for a great attempt!Cons: The illustrations could be improved a lot--especially important for beginners; some seem a bit ambiguous and difficult to understand. There are far too few signs to make this a very important reference book for anyone above beginner level.Hopes: I hope this reference book is updated with clearer, more elegant artwork and a much expanded concept list.Thanks: For a great attempt and best regards on improving this book. Hurry before someone else beats you to it; it would be nice if the same authors and illustrator were credited with presenting the first really-fine, new-and-improved handshape dictionary! :)
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