[misc.handicap] Need rec for sign lang

Tim.Smith@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org (Tim Smith) (03/15/91)

Index Number: 13981

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

My personal recommendation is
SIGN LANGUAGE:  HOW TO SPEAK WITH YOUR HANDS
By Elaine Costello ( I am not sure about the spelling of the last name)

Joy of signing doesn't impress me..  ot very accurate if you ask me..
Again, that's just my opinion.

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Stu.Turk@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Stu Turk) (03/15/91)

Index Number: 13988

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 TS>  Joy of signing doesn't impress me..  ot very accurate if you ask me..

   Every sign language book ever printed has its supporters and detractors.
Plus many of the signs vary from location to location.  _Joy of Signing_,
however, has very easy to follow drawings of the hands positions - something
that is more important to those of us with visual impairment.

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Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker) (03/22/91)

Index Number: 14128

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

When I first started my sign beginners course, several questions
were asked as to what were the best sign books to purchase - we
were told "Joy of Signing" and "American Sign Dictionary" (I'm
not exactly sure I have the last title correct).  I didn't purchase
any new books as I already had the "Joy of Signing".  I also think
"Signed Exact English" is very good.  All of the above are suggested
as excellent educational tools as well as mail order purchase by
Gallaudet.

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Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) (03/23/91)

Index Number: 14134

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 TS>>  Joy of signing doesn't impress me..  ot very accurate if you ask me..
 ST>
 ST>    Every sign language book ever printed has its supporters and
 ST>    detractors. Plus many of the signs vary from location to
 ST>  location.  _Joy of Signing_, however, has very easy to follow
 ST>  drawings of the hands positions - something that is more
 ST>  important to those of us with visual impairment.

What I like about both the Joy of Sign AND the Costello book (and
Lou Fant's The Sign Language Phrase Book too) is the clustering
around topics, that make browsing possible.  The Sternberg
American Sign Dictionary is good because of it's thoroughness but
is more a look-it-up type book than one for browsing (I think).
What I find is the more books I have access to and see the sign
described and illustrated the better insight I have as to how it
can be expressed.  Also if there is more than one way to sign
something I like to have a 'majority rule' situation.  :-)

--Fran

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Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) (03/23/91)

Index Number: 14147

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 FO>> Sternberg American Sign Dictionary is good because of it's
 FO>> thoroughness but is more a look-it-up type book than one for
 FO>> browsing

 JO> You expressed that well, Fran.  Need exists for both the "browsing"
 JO> and the "look-up" structures.  I have room for each on my
 JO> bookshelf. And I like the topical structure of your Sign Friends.

There's one other type I've noticed too, the lesson type, where
it's grouped around specific exercises like the A Basic Course in
Sign by Humphries, Padden and O'Rourke.  I don't use that type
myself but I can see their benefit for someone trying to teach
themselves sign in a semi-structured manner.

--Fran

Oh thanks for saying that--the arrangement-- I had the 'browser'
in mind when I set it up like that. :-)

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