The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language

by The Editors of Gallaudet University Press, Jean M. Gordon, Debbie Tilley (Illustrator), Peggy Swartzel Lott (Illustrator), Daniel Renner (Illustrator)

Overview

*DVD video is now online. Visit the Gallaudet University Press website to access the video dictionary!
* Featuring more than 1,000 ASL sign drawings
* All signs paired with charming color illustrations
* Introduction explains how to sign ASL and fingerspell
* Complete index of English terms for each sign, including synonyms
* Sample sentences using specific words to match every sign’s meaning

The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary of American Sign Language presents more than 1,000 ASL sign drawings arranged alphabetically by English terms, plus delightful color illustrations for each sign. Also featuring English sentences for each sign, the Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary stands alone as the best, most entertaining ASL reference volume for deaf and hearing children alike.

The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary is a bilingual dictionary that will improve American Sign Language and English vocabulary skills and help children make the connections between signs and written English words. Parents, family members, and education professionals will also enjoy using this reference book.

The introduction explains the history of American Sign Language and provides the basics of signing and fingerspelling. Throughout the book are short sections that explore Deaf culture. The index lists all of the English vocabulary.
 
The accompanying video shows native ASL signers demonstrating how to form each sign plus 150 ASL sentences. The playback speed of the video can be adjusted to facilitate comprehension. The video is available at the Gallaudet University Press website.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563686313
Publisher:	Gallaudet University Press
Publication date:	10/31/2014
Edition description:	1st Edition
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	384,170
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.20(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

The Editors of Gallaudet University Press have produced more than 60 titles and DVDs on signed languages during the past 34 years at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.

Jean M. Gordon is an ASL Diagnostician, ASL Diagnostic and Evaluation Services (ASL-DES), Gallaudet University, Washington, DC.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal Starred Review

Gordon, Jean M., ed. The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary of American Sign Language. illus. by Debbie Tilley. 384p. diag. index. w/DVD. Gallaudet Univ. 2014. Tr$39.95. ISBN 9781563686313.

K-Gr 4-This long-anticipated and colorfully designed reference work is the first comprehensive American Sign Language dictionary for children published to date. It boasts more than 1,000 signs and includes a searchable DVD, which features young native signers demonstrating each sign and 150 of the practice sentences. Each entry takes up a third of a page and includes the word in bold red. Arranged alphabetically, the words are searchable with a thumb guide and represent a combination of sight words, familiar words, and words relating to animals, major holidays, sports, and school. An important aspect for both Deaf and hearing students are the synonyms listed directly underneath many entries. Since one sign stands for a variety of synonyms, this will help learners develop vocabulary. For example, under the term fake, readers will find the words imposter, pseudo, artificial, and counterfeit. A watercolor illustration humorously depicts the word and is accompanied by a corresponding sentence. The signs are clearly illustrated in black-and-white line drawings of children. The hands and forearms are in bold, resulting in a very clear picture of how to form the sign. Tips about ASL and Deaf culture and etiquette take the place of a word now and then in “Now You Know” boxes. The comprehensive introduction relays important information about ASL, including regional differences, and explains the arrows used to depict the motions of the signs. Highly recommended.-Sara Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York City


 

Booklist Review

Reference - Language

The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary of American Sign Language.  1st ed. 
Gallaudet University Press (editor) and Jean M. Gordon (editor). Illustrated by Debbie Tilley.  
Sept. 2014. 384p. Gallaudet Univ., hardcover, $35.95 (9781563686313). 419.703. 
REVIEW.  First published September 18, 2014 (Booklist Online).
This new American Sign Language (ASL) dictionary for children is published by Gallaudet University, one of the leading universities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Aimed at emerging readers, this dictionary uses cute color illustrations for the signs and easy-to-read definitions for more than 1,000 words. What sets this dictionary apart from other books on ASL for children is the accompanying DVD, which shows children signing each of the words in the dictionary. Some of the words are also included in sentences, which are signed by adults. Watching the words being signed by someone will likely help those who might be confused by the directional arrows in the illustrations. The DVD, which is easily navigable on a variety of devices, shows a multicultural, diverse group of individuals, emphasizing that anyone could be deaf. This dictionary will help deaf children broaden their vocabulary, as well as teach hearing children how to sign. — Kat Kan

From the Publisher

This outstanding title deserves a place on the shelf of every school and public library. Designed for use by children ages 5 and up, this title will facilitate sign language learning for deaf and hearing children and adults. The entries are arranged alphabetically by English words and colorful, entertaining illustrations accompany each word to demonstrate the concept associated with the word. The signing instructions are done as black and white line drawings with bold lines added to illustrate handshape, movement, location, palm orientation and nonmanual signals. The DVD bound with the dictionary is equally useful since it includes live-action of children signing each word and videos of adults signing 150 sentences.

25th Ed. 2015 "Best of the Best" University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries

★ 10/01/2014
K-Gr 4—This long-anticipated and colorfully designed reference work is the first comprehensive American Sign Language dictionary for children published to date. It boasts more than 1,000 signs and includes a searchable DVD, which features young native signers demonstrating each sign and 150 of the practice sentences. Each entry takes up a third of a page and includes the word in bold red. Arranged alphabetically, the words are searchable with a thumb guide and represent a combination of sight words, familiar words, and words relating to animals, major holidays, sports, and school. An important aspect for both Deaf and hearing students are the synonyms listed directly underneath many entries. Since one sign stands for a variety of synonyms, this will help learners develop vocabulary. For example, under the term fake, readers will find the words imposter, pseudo, artificial, and counterfeit. A watercolor illustration humorously depicts the word and is accompanied by a corresponding sentence. The signs are clearly illustrated in black-and-white line drawings of children. The hands and forearms are in bold, resulting in a very clear picture of how to form the sign. Tips about ASL and Deaf culture and etiquette take the place of a word now and then in "Now You Know" boxes. The comprehensive introduction relays important information about ASL, including regional differences, and explains the arrows used to depict the motions of the signs. Highly recommended.—Sara Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York City

School Library Journal