Random House Webster's Unabridged American Sign Language Dictionary 2nd Edition

The book does have a lot of ASL words, and some have explanations about why a certain sign is what it is. However, I bought a digital ASL dictionary from the Apple app store, and it is SOOO much better.

In the early 90s I worked at Gallaudet university and decided I wanted to brush up On my ASL. But if you have not have been exposed to Sign, I Would look for something else. The Joy of Signing By Dr. Lottie R used to be the Bible of ASL but that was a long time ago and a lot of the words are different now. For a pocket dictionary, perhaps it would’ve been better with fewer common words and larger print. Just is not that helpful for me personally. I think it would be great and regular size..not a pocket dictionary

I am embarking on a web-based free course in ASL ([...]). No book compares to this website for learning ASL, taught by Dr. Bill Vicars (a teacher of ASL at California State Sacramento). Dr. Vicars also sells CDs with movies geared to each lesson on the website. The movies are inexpensive, and are an essential tool for learning ASL. Nothing compares to those movies for learning sign, so that is my recommendation if you are just beginning to learn the language. I bought this dictionary because I often forget how a sign is formed, and want to look it up quickly without going to the computer. This is a sturdy, hard-bound dictionary that is big enough to be easy to read, and it has a very large vocabulary listing. You are not going to travel with it. I have no problem understanding the signs in it-they are very nicely illustrated. I find that a drawing works better than a photo for this purpose. There is a standard text definition of each word along with the a good drawing of each sign and a text entry that describes how to form the sign. So far I find that the standard text definition is unnecessary, but even if those were cut, this book would not be small enough to be a pocket guide. I looked at Costello's abridged dictionary for that purpose, but decided that the illustrations were just too small for easy reading. So for a pocket dictionary, I bought the Butterworth and Flodin Perigree Pocket Dictionary of Signing to take with me when I am on the move. See my review of that pocket dictionary-it has some disadvantages. I could not do a lot of comparison shopping for ASL dictionaries when shopping, so there may be better ones out there, but this book is perfectly fine for my purposes.

Small. Convenient. Good descriptions

This has been a good resource for me as I attempt to communicate with a young lady in my Sunday School class who has no hearing (and is also legally blind!). The Dictionary has most of the words I need, but it is not specifically written for religious use and therefore is missing a few words I needed (e.g. manger - for telling the Christmas story). I also wish there was more information on adding endings to words and changing tenses, etc. A thesaurus within the book would be helpful, as well, but with all that information perhaps the book would be too unwieldy. One great feature is the provision of alternate signs for certain words. People in different areas sometimes use different signs for the same idea, so if a person doesn't understand one sign, you can try one of the alternate signs.As it is, this dictionary is a pretty thorough book - but it is just a dictionary. You will still need other resources to help you speak ASL effectively.

I am taking Beginners ASL in college right now and my teacher highly recommended that we get this book. Honestly, I have only used it a few times but for those times, it has been very useful. It's also fun to look up new words and between the pictures and description I haven't had any problems figuring out the sign. The reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is simply because there have been a few times when I tried to look up a sign and it wasn't in the book. I understand that they can only fit a certain amount in such a "pocket" sized book but, nonetheless, it has failed me a few times, therefore, 4 stars. Also, the writing is VERY small. If you have any trouble reading small print this one may not be the right book for you.

LOVE!!!! Very comprehensive guide to learn signs, brush up on what you know and to grow your existing sign vocabulary!!! Cute, perfect small size for pocket, backpack or purse. I bought a 2$ pack of flat magnetic bookmarks (it was like a 12 pack) which lay flat and stay in place. I keep them there until I have the sign down then move them. I LOVE this book and what a steal at such a low price. I am a Real customer, this is a Real review.

Fast shipping, as stated in perfect condition and a great deal for a very necessary but expensive book for my studies!It's very comprehensive and does a good job of explaining the motion of the hands and most importantly (in my opinion) why the sign came about. For Americans who speak English, ASL is learning a new language and to remember that the sign for "learn" is like taking from a book to your head, makes it easier. I would recommend this for anyone who is studying ASL, although I think it would be a little comprehensive for someone who is just trying to learn without proper instruction. You need proper instruction to learn the true language of ASL, as the structure of sentences is not like the spoken language.A great book, I'm glad I finally got it, I wish I could carry everywhere, but I'll buy an abridged version of this to carry with me.

This sign language dictionary is excellent as it shows the signer doing the sign and gives detailed written instructions how to do the sign and I really like that it explains the reasons why the sign is done a certain way. Also there are several words pronounced the same but the meanings are different in English that again are totally explained. I like the numbers and alphabet also included and the pictures of the various hand shapes. I just wish the actual signed picture was bigger as I am visually impaired and it would be easier to see the finer details but I know that would make the book larger but it would be well worth it as the signs are small and every detail is important. Overall I love the book and totally recommend it to everyone interested in sign language. Dr Costello has always done terrific sign language books.

I bought this to help me with doing sign language with my daughter, so looking up those random words you tend to use with a child. So far, and I mean like 80% of the times, that I've used the dictionary the word hasn't been in there. That's animals or just simple words, like burp, or carrot. I don't know. If you already know sign language maybe this is great for those random words you don't use all the time, but for a novice it is not worth it.

nice and small, good for quick reference. It is missing a lot of words I have tried to look up, mainly animals. But oof course you can't fit everything in such a tiny book. Overall I like it.

This is an excellent dictionary and far more complete than any of the free sign language apps that I have downloaded for my phone. I use it lots when learning signs to teach my small children.

Amazing little dictionary with great illustration and explanations. I would recommend for anybody with an interest in ASL. It's super small and could easily fit in a purse/jacket/car door