The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary

I really like this book being hard cover. Got it in "very good" - close to new, there is a few dent marks as if someone wrote on top of it. There was also a note left behind for the previous owner hand written on the inner cover area. Really like the page quality in the text book.

This dictionary was very helpful to me because you're able to work backwards to find a sign you've seen but don't know. I only wish they had more handshapes in it.

Handshapes are crucial when learning asl. Forget the joy of signing book. This will get you much farther. It is modern and has more usuable signs than others. Well organized.

This book has been my best resource in three years of sign language study. It is beautifully produced and compact, which makes it easy to carry as a ready reference. The vocabulary has been most satisfactory for the first three years of ASL courses and I expect it will continue to be my most valued resource for many reasons, a few of which are as follows: (1) The vast amount of material covered in the introduction reinforces the areas of grammar, fingerspelling and usage covered in class. (2) The system of ordering signs by handshape reinforces the fact that ASL is an independent language. (3) The variety of glosses that can be expressed with a single sign are together, unlike every other dictionary I have seen. This not only creates the desired compact format, but helps the student learn and appreciate the range of expression possible in ASL. (4) It is the only true two-way signing dictionary for this language, which makes it an essential adjunct to learning the language. It is clear, with my continued use, that the authors are teachers and know just what is needed to promote learning.

This book has a unique approach to learning sign language making it different from other books previously published. This is the first book that allows you to go from Spoken English to ASL and VICE VERSA!! Essential text for anyone who wants to learn to sign or to read the signs of others.