Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #168105 in Books
• Published on: 2003-12
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Customer Reviews

A must have for any ASL Student
This book is very easy to use. All the photographs are large and easy to understand. I am actually taking ASL from Irene Duke at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA and she and her deaf son have told us about the problems she had to go through to communicate and how glad she is to have written this book. This book has taught me so much a must have!!!!

A Good Introduction
As a beginner student of ASL, this is one of the text books used in my course. I can understand the previous comment that certain signs can be mistaken for totally unrelated signs (i.e. the sign for work) - but understand, many, many signs are very close to those with unrelated meanings. It's hand position and "inflection" (body language and facial expression) that is paramount. Regional differences also come into play, and this is where your instructor will be an invaluable part of your learning experience.
Enrolling in a course, or finding private instruction is an important and necessary resource when learning this awesome language.
The information about, history of, and introduction to Deaf culture is basic, but gives one an introduction nonetheless.
Understanding the bare basics of sign etiquette, including hand position, eye contact, body language and facial expression is very important in order to move on to meaningful conversation. ASL is not just hand signals!
That being said - I find this book to be a very easy and logical step by step way to build a solid foundation in ASL.
By the fourth and fifth chapters, you are signing basic yet meaningful and commonly used signs.
Overall, I find this book a very good choice for my intro to ASL.
The information is presented in an easy to understand and easy to execute manner.
There is no substitute for actual visual instruction, however, even without being enrolled in classroom study I feel this book is well worth buying for anyone interested in the basics of Deaf culture, the history of the language and building a solid foundation on which to expand on should you decide that ASL is something you want to pursue.
It is my opinion that knowledge of the above is of monumental importance when learning this beautiful visual language.
Although this book only covers the basics, it does so in a manner in which sets you up for further understanding as you move through your learning experience.
A good introduction to ASL with the much needed background foundation.
I've moved quickly and successfully through the chapters building my vocabulary, understanding ASL grammar and retaining many commonly used conversational signs.

Has major errors and lacks attention to details
I happened to see this book while looking at a bookstore, and was attracted to it by the cover and its claims. I have taken some classes in ASL and was looking for a good book both for a review of ASL, to learn about the culture, and for my girlfriend to use to learn ASL.

I noted that this book was written by a hearing parent of a deaf child. The best books about the Deaf are written by the Deaf, there is no substitution for first-hand experience.

Looking throught the book, I encountered the sign for "work". It is incorrectly shown in the book. And worse than that, the picture for "work" is instead an obscenity, or very close to one. Turning a few pages, I see that the picture for the sign "excuse me" is instead the one for the sign "nice, clean".

In general the attention to important details seemed lacking in this book and I cannot recommend it. Look elsewhere for better books on ASL.

If you're looking for a similar book that has signs, correctly represented, and discusses Deaf history, culture, grammar, and more, consider the book "Alpha Teach Yourself American Sign Language" by Trudy Suggs, ISBN 1592571301. Costs slightly more but is a fascinating read for anyone interested in ASL and Deaf culture. Read the reviews on it...
(I have no connection to Ms Suggs or the publisher.)