Product Description

Appearing first in 1981, this dictionary remains the largest and most comprehensive book of sign language ever published. Now, completely revised and expanded, American Sign Language features:

• More than 7,000 sign entries, plus cross-references

• More than 12,000 illustrations

• 2,000 more signs than any other ASL dictionary, including dozens of signs that have only recently come into usage

• Arranged alphabetically to enhance usability

Other features include a pronunciation guide for English language glosses and a foreword to the original edition by the late Mary E. Switzer, United States Commissioner of Vocational Rehabilitation.

American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most frequently used language in the United States after English and Spanish. ASL has its own distinct grammar and syntax. The entries appearing herein represents signs, not words, and the illustrations of the hand, arm, and facial expressions will aid the reader in forming the signs.

This book is indispensable to deaf people and their relatives, friends, and associated. Social workers, otologists, hearing and speech therapists, audiologists, and rehabilitation workers have long considered this book a major addition to their libraries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #369327 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-01
• Released on: 1998-10-21
• Format: Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1008 pages

From Library Journal
Sternberg, a deaf member of the faculty at Hofstra University and the author of four American Sign Language (ASL) dictionaries, has revised the original version of this work (LJ 8/81) to include over 7000 signs and 12,000 illustrations. Produced under the auspices of an editorial committee, the book presents each sign with its pronunciation and part of speech and explanatory matter, including the derivation of the sign, its description in terms of handshape and orientation, and cross references to other words that use a similar sign. While other dictionaries like The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary (LJ 5/1/98) incorporate aspects of deaf culture and phonology into the prefatory material, Sternberg concentrates on signs. The explanatory notes preceding the dictionary portion are refreshingly clear and concise. An excellent addition to public or academic environments.?Andy Wickens, Univ. of Illinois-Chicago Lib. of the Health Sciences
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

--National Association of the Deaf
"The most complete dictionary of sign language ever published."

Language Notes
Text: English

Customer Reviews

Baby sign made easy
We started with the signing for baby books and were pretty dissapointed. They didn't really give you everyday signs. So this unabridged ASL dictionary was great. Illustrations to show you what signs are and how to do them. This book was better than any of the baby signing books we bought and was much cheaper for all the infomation it contains.

ASL Dictionary
I love this book. It has been a tremendous help to me. I am taking an ASL course and I do habilitation w/ a deaf child. This book is very valuable to my work. I would highly recommend it.

The Most Comprehensive ASL Dictionary Available
I have owned many sign language dictionaries in the past 10+ years. All of them have fallen short of my needs. Martin L. A. Sternberg's unabridged ASL Dictionary is simply the most comprehesive, invaluable resource available. I work with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, and I always recommend this dictionary for parents, so that they can look up just about any word they may ever need to know.