Review by Choice Review
Edited by Valli, the late ASL deaf linguist and poet, this meaty tome provides a brief history of ASL and linguistic descriptions, including variation, lexical borrowings, and a section on classifiers. The 3,000 sign entries with line illustrations are organized alphabetically according to the English word translation. This volume is more a reference book than a dictionary. A true dictionary is organized according to linguistic structures (alphabetically in the case of spoken languages) and contains pronunciations, parts of speech, etymologies, sentences, and multiple meanings. A dictionary of ASL would be organized around the five basic parts of ASL signs--handshape, movement, location, orientation, and nonmanual signals (facial expressions) such as Dr. William C. Stokoe Jr., the pioneer in the study of ASL linguistics, accomplished in 1965 with three parameters (handshape, movement, and location). Nonetheless, Clayton's volume and its companion DVD providing live-action clips of signers make a significant contribution. This is a very valuable language resource for parents, students, and teachers learning ASL as a first language and as a second language. The book also provides a complete index of English glosses and synonyms for every sign, making it user-friendly for all levels of students. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. J. F. Andrews Lamar University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
