Anonymous
Posted September 22, 2012
I bought this book for my American Sign Language class and it's wonderful! Sometimes it can be a little difficult to see what some of the pictures are showing, but DVD that comes free with the book is so so so helpful! I'm happy I decided to get this book! It's amazing!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.urby750
Posted July 18, 2012
I purchased the Gallaudet dictionary with the DVD, but I wasn't aware of the incompatibility with the Apple operating system "Lion". It stated on the DVD that it was compatible with Apple, so I took them at their word. The next day I returned the dictionary to Barnes and Noble. I didn't want the purchase to be an entire "bummer" so I made the 45 mile return trip home with a cup of black coffee from the in-store Starbucks vender at Barnes and Noble. (Ref: The Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language).
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 23, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Great and helpful!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 13, 2008
Well, i looked through this dictionary and it is good, but unfortuneatly there is only one word shown for each sign , when in reality one sign can mean 2 or 3 different words.. so its good to have for basic, but more advance students shouldn't rely on this.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 22, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
More About This Textbook
Overview
Created 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.
Editorial Reviews
Library Journal
This extraordinary reference work is composed of approximately 3000 illustrated entries, each showing the American Sign Language equivalent for an English word. The entries are arranged alphabetically and include synonyms where appropriate. The comprehensive index helps users find words without a main entry of their own, and the introductory materials help users understand the concepts behind signing, such as handshape, movement, nonmanual signals, finger-spelling, and how to form a sentence. The illustrations are large enough to easily decipher and there are no text descriptions of the signs, which actually can be more confusing than an illustration alone. The simple, elegant style of illustration clearly shows movement; lighter lines are used for the beginning position, heavier lines show the final position, and arrows indicate direction of the movement. For anyone with even a basic familiarity with this language, the entries are understandable and easy to replicate. But as wonderful as the illustrations are, there are inherent limitations in rendering movement in two-dimensions on paper, and the folks at Gallaudet acknowledge this by also including an easy-to-use full-color DVD, which features demonstrations of each sign. Users can play each entry at normal speed, slow it down, or step through an entry frame by frame-an invaluable option for some of the more complicated signs. Bottom Line For beginning signers, this book and DVD set is an excellent resource to help practice signs and expand vocabulary. For advanced signers, others in the deaf community, and anyone interested in American Sign Language, this is an excellent vocabulary reference book. For libraries, public and academic alike, this is an essential acquisition.-Manya Chylinski, Boston Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Product Details
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Meet the Author
Clayton Valli was Assistant Professor in the Master’s Interpreting Program at Gallaudet University, a renowned linguist who coauthored the Linguistics of American Sign Language, and also a gifted ASL poet. The Gallaudet Dictionary of American Sign Language is dedicated to his memory.