American Sign Language - Hardcover

Martin L. A. Sternberg

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062716085 ISBN 13: 9780062716088

Publisher: Collins Reference, 1998

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Martin L. A. Sternberg, Ed.D., is a native New Yorker. Deaf since the age of seven, he has spent most of his career working with deaf people. The idea for this book came from Dr. Elizabeth Peet, Dr. Sternberg's sign language teacher at Gallaudet University (for the deaf), in Washington, DC. Dr. Sternberg kept Dr. Peet's ideas and methods, but expanded the work greatly. Early work on the project received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare to New York University, the sponsoring institution. A graduate of the City College of New York, American University, and New York University, Dr. Sternberg has enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher at Gallaudet, New York, Hofstra, and Adelphi Universities. HE is currently chairman of the board of trustees of Lexington School for the Deaf and Lexington Center for the Deaf. He is the author of four ASL dictionaries and a Codies Award-winning CD-ROM, all published by HarperCollins. He also received Emmy and Peabody nominations for his ASL series by the NBC network, "Speaking With Your Hands," as well as medals at various international film and television festivals.

• 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.

Reviews

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Collins Reference
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0062716085
• ISBN 13: 9780062716088
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Herbert Rogoff
• Number of pages: 1008