ASL Books

These books are available for on-line purchase through Amazon.com.  If you click on a link here, you can get a bit more info on the book itself and even place an order.

I'll keep adding (and reviewing) books each week or so.  I'll try for alphabetical order by title :-)

My favorite picks will have a * nearby.

ASL Texts

The Green Books -- American Sign Language Series:

This series is great for ASL III or beginning interpreter levels; but for the newbie, it's the explanations are too immersed in linguistics and grammar.  Students tend to be overwhelmed.  There are videotapes available, too.  The quality's pretty good.  Each dialogue is shown at regular speed, in slower motion, and from 2 different signer perspectives.  But nothing's captioned or voiced ... another reason why it's not a good choice for the "never saw a sign before" beginner.

American Sign Language : A Student Text, Units 10-18; Charlotte Baker-Shenk, Dennis Cokely; Paperback; ISBN: 0930323874

American Sign Language : A Student Text, Units 19-27; Dennis Cokely, Charlotte Baker-Shenk; Paperback; $16.95 ISBN: 0930323882

*American Sign Language : A Teacher's Resource Text on Grammar and Culture; Charlotte Baker-Shenk, Dennis Cokely; Paperback; ISBN: 093032384X

... the "bible" for ASL teachers.

Signing Naturally Curriculum

This series is the "industry standard" and is used both at the high school and college/univeristy levels for most ASL programs in the United States.  It's functional-notational approach is heavy on activities which are cyclical in nature and tend to build, layer upon layer.   There's a decent amount of Deaf Culture, very little Deaf History, and almost no Evaluation Materials.  But there are videotapes.  The quality's very good and there a number of workbook activities.

... buy this one, it's the same video as below, but with an expanded workbook.

... make sure you get the latest edition!

... a must for the teacher.  Lots of of activities, vocabulary lists, ... but it's not big on explanations.

ASL Dictionaries

Gallaudet Survival Guide to Signing; Leonard G. Lane, Jan Skrobisz; Paperback; ISBN: 093032367X
    ... handy-dandy pocket guide.  An English/Sign version.

Gallaudet Survival Guide to Signing; Paperback  ISBN: 0930323343
    ... ditto.
 

The Joy of Signing; Hardcover ISBN: 0685182452
    ... the "original" text.  It's really a dictionary set up by categories.

The Joy of Signing : The Illustrated Guide for Mastering Sign Language and the Manual Alphabet; Lottie L. Riekehof; Hardcover; ISBN: 0882435205
    ... as near as I can tell, this is the same thing.

To get to the top of the ASL Books page, click here.

Linguistics & ASL

    ... the "bible" for ASL teachers.

Current Issues in ASL Phonology (Phonetics and Phonology Volume 3); Geoffrey R. Coulter; Hardcover; ISBN: 0121932702

    ... a linguist's book.  I love it.  But then again, I get off on all the piddly details.  If you're not "into" linguistics, I'd borrow it from the library before spending the $$$.

The Linguistics of American Sign Language; John O. Isenhath; Hardcover; ISBN: 0899504930

 ... hmmm.  I read it.  But I didn't "get" it.  Seems like he took an awfully long time to work his way around to saying that ASL grammar is not word order dependent.  If anyone else has read it, I'd love to know your opinion.

Linguistics of American Sign Language : A Resource Text for ASL Users; Clayton Valli, Ceil Lucas; Hardcover; ISBN: 1563680149

... the explanations are oversimplified (but great if you're a linguistic newbie).  The real "meat" of this book is the fact that it includes so many serious articles by other experts in the field (which can make the newbies feel like they're working their way through a maze).  It's about as good an introduction as you'll find anywhere if you're an interpreter or teacher of ASL working your way through the certification processes.

Teaching & ASL

If you're a teacher of ASL and don't already belong to ASLTA (American Sign Language Teachers Association) join up right away!  It's a professional organization, under the umbrella of the NAD (National Association of the Deaf).  I'll put a link here as soon as the NAD & ASLTA go on-line.

... the "bible" for teachers of ASL.  A must for ASLTA members.

*American Sign Language : A Teacher's Resource Text on Curriculum, Methods, and Evaluation (The Green Books -- American Sign Language Series); Dennis Cokely, Charlotte Baker-Shenk; Paperback; ISBN: 0930323858

.. the "bible" for teachers of ASL.  A must for ASLTA members.

*A Model Curriculum for Teachers of American Sign Language and Teachers ASL-English Interpreting; Charlotte Baker-Shenk; Paperback; ISBN: 091688306X

... it's really a detailed syllabus for several classes recommended for schools which want to develop BA programs in teaching ASL or interpreting.  But if you're looking for a ton of reference materials for self-study, this is absolutely essential.  If you're going for ASLTA certification, I'd say it's a must!

Miscellaneous Sign Language Books:

Bilingual Considerations in the Education of Deaf Students : ASL and English; Paperback; ISBN: 9994390805

Simultaneous Communication, ASL, and Other Classroom Communication Modes; William Stokoe; Paperback; ISBN: 0932130135

Signing : How to Speak With Your Hands; Elaine Costello; Paperback; ISBN: 0553375393
 

To get to the top of the ASL Books page, click here.

FOOL-YOU BOOK  :(
Don't get caught by great sounding titles ...
Logic Colloquium '90 : ASL Summer Meeting in Helsinki (Lecture Notes in Logic, Vol 2); J. Oikkonen, J. Vaananen; Paperback; ISBN: 0387570942   ... It's a MATH book :(  ... Thanks to Jason Zinza who caught it :-D

Videotexts

... this is a great foreign video (captioned in English, signed in GermanSL) which won an Oscar for best foreign film.  It shows the relationship between a hearing daughter, drawn to music, and her Deaf father.  Great for ASL & terp classes -- especially when it shows how the child tries to manipulate/control the family in adversarial/advocate roles.

Grammar and Culture/American Sign Language; Sign Language, ASL; VHS Tape;  ISBN: 6302999138
 

*In the Land of the Deaf /Nr; Nicol Philibert; VHS Tape; ISBN: 6303585914

... this is a fantastic film which chronicles the lives of the Deaf in France.  It's great for ASL & Deaf culture classes because you can easily see how "universal" Deaf culture is ... and at the same time, you see that ASL & LSF are not the same language.

... this is the film version of In This Sign.  It's an excellent video ... but doesn't appear to be available at this time.  You'll have to borrow it from closed captions films or catch it on the TV ... it usually pops up once or twice a year.

Signing Naturally/Level One Student Edition/Revised/Book and Video; Smith; Paperback; ISBN: 0915035200

 ... buy this one, it's the same video as below, but with an expanded workbook.

Deaf Culture

Deaf Culture Books    Lectures       Visuals

Deaf Culture Books:

ASL Books      Deaf Culture:  American   International

These books are available for on-line purchase through Amazon.  If you click on a link here, you can get a bit more info on the book itself and even place an order.

If you decide you do want to order any of these books, please access each title through my link to Amazon.  That way, they'll credit me for the sale.

I'll keep adding (and reviewing) books each week or so.  I'll try for alphabetical order by title :-)

My favorite picks will have a * nearby.

My #1 Pick:

***In the Land of the Deaf /Nr; Nicol Philibert; VHS Tape; ISBN: 6303585914

American Deaf Culture

American Deaf Culture; Paperback ) ISBN: 0685346129

American Deaf Culture : An Anthology; Sherman Wilcox; Paperback; ISBN: 0932130097
 
 

American Sign Language : A Teacher's Resource Text on Grammar and Culture (The Green Books -- American Sign Language Series); Charlotte Baker-Shenk, Dennis Cokely; Paperback; ISBN: 093032384X   ... the "bible" for teachers of ASL.  A must for ASLTA members.
 
 

Black and Deaf in America; Ernest Hairston, Linwood Smith; Paperback;  ISBN: 0932666183
 
 

Deaf Culture Our Way; Holcomb; Paperback; ISBN: 0915035170
 
 

*Deaf in America : Voices from a Culture; Carol Padden, Tom Humphries; Paperback; ISBN: 0674194241
    ... the classic!
    TeachASL recommendations:
         Betti Bonni:  "This is a good selection for a book report in a Basic level class."

Deaf Like Me, Thomas S. Spradley, James P. Spradley  ISBN: 0930323114
        TeachASL Recommendations:
        Marla Jones:  "I use this for High School ASL II."
        Alysse Rasmussen:  "This discusses the frustrations experienced by a family
                        who had to fight for the sign language rights of their Deaf daughter."
 

For Hearing People Only : Answers to Some of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the 'Deaf Reality'; Matthew S. Moore, Linda Levitan; Hardcover; ISBN: 0963401629
 
 

For Hearing People Only : Answers to Some of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Deaf Community, Its Culture, and the 'Deaf Reality'; Matthew S. Moore, Linda Levitan; Paperback; ISBN: 096340161
 
 

Forbidden Signs : American Culture and the Campaign Against Sign Language, 1847-1920; Douglas C. Baynton; Hardcover; ISBN: 0226039633

Forbidden Signs : American Culture and the Campaign Against Sign Language, 1847-1920; Douglas C. Baynton; Paperback ISBN: 0226039641
 
 

Grammar and Culture/American Sign Language; Sign Language, ASL; VHS Tape;  ISBN: 6302999138
 

The History of Deaf People:  A Source Book, Per Eriksson, SIH Laromedel, THe Learning Materials Division of the National Swedish Agency for Special Education, 1993, Deaf History, James Schmale, translator, ISBN:  91-630-6822-2

This was a really nice little book, chock-full of information which really helps you understand that the Deaf are not a recent phenomena.  It's an easy read, but really, really solid on facts.  Heavy on European Deaf History.  Well worth the price.

*In the Land of the Deaf /Nr; Nicol Philibert; VHS Tape; ISBN: 6303585914

... this is a fantastic film which chronicles the lives of the Deaf in France.  It's great for ASL & Deaf culture classes because you can easily see how "universal" Deaf culture is ... and at the same time, you see that ASL & LSF are not the same language.

Intermediate Sign Language and Deaf Culture; Janet L. Duvall; Paperback; ISBN: 1882457013
 

A Journey into the Deaf-World; Harlan L. Lane, et al; Hardcover; ISBN: 0915035634
 A Journey into the Deaf-World; Harlan L. Lane, et al; Paperback; ISBN: 0915035626
    TeachASL Recommendations:
        Robin Portnoy

A Loss for Words; Walker, Lou Ann; Paperback; ISBN: 0060914254
    TeachASL Recommendations:
        Marla Jones:  "I use this for High School ASL I."
        Robin Portnoy:  "t's a true story about a CODA and her experiences growing up in the Deaf world. The students really enjoyed it."
 

On the Other Hand : New Perspectives on American Sign Language (Language, Thought, and Culture); Lynn A. Friedman; Hardcover; ISBN: 0122678508
 
 

The Other Side of Silence : Sign Language and the Deaf Community in America; Arden Neisser; Paperback; ISBN: 0930323645
 
 

A Place of Their Own : Creating the Deaf Community in America; John Vickrey Van Cleve, Barry A. Crouch; Paperback;  ISBN: 0930323491
 

Reading Between the Signs:  Intercultural Communication for Sign Language Interpreters; A Mindess, T Holcomb, D Langholtz, & P Moyers, Intercultural Press, 1999; ISBN:1877864730

Reading Between the Signs is an absolute must for anyone in the interpreting field.  It's rich with information about cross cultural mediation and will help in ways you can't even imagine -- not to mention that it's just plain FUN to read!

Reflections on the Language and Culture of Deaf Americans; Aymard; Paperback; ISBN:  078724323X
 
 

Seeing Voices : A Journey into the World of the Deaf; Oliver W. Sacks; Hardcover;  ISBN: 0520060830
 
 

Seeing Voices : A Journey into the World of the Deaf; Olvier Sacks; Paperback; ISBN: 0060973471
 
 

Sign and Culture : A Reader for Students of American Sign Language; Stokoe; Paperback; ISBN: 0932130070
 

Train Gone Sorry; Cohen, Paperback; ISBN: 0679761659 / Hardcover; ISBN: 0735101426
    TeachASL Recommendations:
        Betti Bonni:  "This is a good selection for a book report in a Basic level class."
 
 

To get to the top of the ASL Books page, click here.

International Deaf Cultures

The Deaf Way : Perspectives from the International Conference on Deaf Culture; Carol J. Erting, et al; Hardcover; ISBN: 1563680262
 
 

*In the Land of the Deaf /Nr; Nicol Philibert; VHS Tape; ISBN: 6303585914
 
 

Silent Poetry : Deafness, Sign, and Visual Culture in Modern France; Nicholas Mirzoeff; Hardcover; ISBN: 0691037892
 

TeachASL Reading Recommendations:

Below is a list of recommended books for book report "fodder".

If you see a title that interests you, click on the title and it will take you up the page to the book itself.  There, if we have it, you will find reviews and/or comments by the teachers on the TeachASL listserv.
 
 

Basic
    Deaf In America
    Train Gone Sorry

HS ASL 1
    A Loss For Words

HS ASL 2
    Deaf Like Me
    In This Sign

HS ASL 3
    Train Gone Sorry

College
    A Journey Into The Deaf World

Albronda, M. Douglas Tilden: Portrait of a Deaf Sculptor.  Maryland: T.J. Publishers.  ISBN: 0932666035

Batson, T. & Bergman, E. (Eds.) Angels and Outcasts: An Anthology of Deaf Characters in Literature.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Benderly B. L. Dancing Without Music.  Washington, D.C.:  Gallaudet University Press.

Berg, 0. B.(1984).  A Missionary Chronicle: Being a History of the Ministry to the Deaf in the Episcopal Church.  St. Mary's Press.

Bowe F. (1986) Changing The Rules.  Maryland: T.J. Publishers.

Bragg, B. & Bergman, E. (1975) Tales from a Clubroom. (play), Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Bragg, B. & Bergman-, E. (11 989).  Lessons in Laughter. Washington, D. C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Bullard, D. (1985).  Islay.  Maryland: T.J. Publishers.

Burke, D. N. (1988).  Love's Source of Grace. (poems), Latitudes Press.

Burke, D. N. (1989).  Wings into Eternity.  Latitudes Press.

Eastman , G. C. (1989).  From Mime To Sign.  Maryland: T.J. Publishers.

Gannon, J. R. (1981).  Deaf Heritage.  Maryland: National Association of the Deaf.

Garretson, M. (1984).  Words from a Deaf Child. (poems) Fragonard Press.

Garretson, M. (Ed.). (1990) Communication Issues Among Deaf People. (A Deaf American Monograph, Vol.40. Nos. 1,2,3,4,), Maryland: National Association of the Deaf.

Garretson, M. (Ed.) (1991).  Perspectives on Deafness. (A Deaf American Monograph, Vol.41, #1 - 2), Maryland: National Association of the Deaf.

Glickman, K. (1 986).  Deafinitions for Signlets.  DiKen Products.

Greenberg, J. In This Sign.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Hairston, E. & Smith, L. (1983).  Black and Deaf in America. Maryland: T.J. Publishers.

Higgins, P. C. Understanding Deafness Socially.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Higgins, P. C. Outsiders in a Hearing World.  Washington, D.C.:  Gallaudet University Press.

Holcomb, R. K. (1991).  Silence is Golden, Sometimes. California: DawnSign Press.

Holcomb, M. & Wood, S. (1988).  Deaf Women: A Parade through the Decades.  California: DawnSign Press.

Jacobs, L. M. (1980 A Deaf Adult Speaks Out.  Washington, D.C.:  Gallaudet University Press.

Kisor, H. (1990).  What's that Pig Outdoors: A Memoir of Deafness.  Hill & Wang.

Kowalewski, F. (1983).  You and I (poems) California: California School for the Deaf.

Lane, FE (1980).  When the Mind Hears: A History of the Deaf. Random.

Lowman, R. (1964).  Bitterweed. (poems) Bella Vista Press.

Lucas, C. The Sociolinguistics of  the Deaf Community.  San Diego, CA: Academic Press, Inc.

Medoff, M. Children of a Lesser God.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Neisser, A. (1990).  The Other Side of Silence: Sign Language and the Deaf Community in America.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Nieminen, R. Voyage to the Island.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Norris, C. B. Signs Unseen, Sounds Unheard.  Washington, D.C.:  Gallaudet Press.

Padden, C. & Humphries, T. (1988).  Deaf in America: Voices from a Culture.  Harvard University Press.

Panara, R. & Panara, J. (1983).  Great Deaf Americans.  Maryland:  T.J. Publishers.

Parsons, F. (1 988). / Didn't Hear the Dragon Roar.  Washington, D. C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Robinette, D. Hometown Heroes: Successful Deaf Youth in America. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Rutherford, S. (1988).  The Culture of American Deaf people.  Sign Language Studies, (Vol. 59, pp. 1 29-148).

Rutherford, S. Funny in Deaf - Not in Hearing.  Journal of American Folkore. (Vol. 96, No.381, pp. 309 -322.)

Sacks, 0. (1989).  Seeing Voices: A Journey Into the World of the Deaf.  California: University of California Press.

Schein, J. D. (1989).  At Home Among Strangers.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Schreiber, K. (1981).  Dear Beth. (poems) privately printed.

Schuchman, J. (1988).  Hollywood Speaks: Deafness and the Film Entertainment Industry.  Illinois: University of Illinois.

Scouten, E. (1984).  Turning Points in the Education of Deaf People, Danville, IL: The Interstate Printers and Publishers.

Shein, J. and Delk, M. (1974).  The Deaf Population in the United States.  Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf.

Shroyer, E. H. & Shroyer, S. P. Signs Across America.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Sidransky, R. (1990).  In Silence: Growing Up Hearing in a Deaf World.  St. Martins.

Smithdas, R. (1966) City of the Heart. (poems) Taplinger.

Smithdas, R. (1982).  Shared Beauty. (poems) Portal Press.

Stewart, D. Deaf Sport: The Impact of Sports Within the Deaf Community.  Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.

Stokoe, W. (E). 1985 Sign & Culture: A Reader for Students of American Sign Language.  Maryland: Linstok Press.

Statiy, A. The Red Meaning A 'Hearing Impaired TBC News. (Vol. 19, p. 1 - 2 and 8.)

Supalla, S. J.(1991). The Book of Name Signs, Naming in American Sign Language.  California: DawnSign Press-

The NAD Story.  Silver Spring, MD:   National Association of the Deaf.

The Week the World Heard Gallaudet. (1989).  Washington, D.C.:  Gallaudet University Press.

Turk, F. R. (Ed.) A Kaleidoscope of Deaf America.  Maryland:  National Association of the Deaf -

Van Cleve, J. & Crouch, B. (J 989).  A Place of Their Own:  Creating the Deaf Community in America.  Washington, D.C.:  Gallaudet University Press.

Walker, L. A. (1986).  A Loss for Words: Deafness in a Family.  Harper and Row.

Wilcox, S. (Ed.). (1989).  American Deaf Culture: An Anthology.  Silver Spring, MD.  Linstock Press, Inc.

Winefield, R. (1987).  Never the Twain Shall Meet: The Communications Debate.  Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.

Woodward, J. (1982).  How You Gonna Get to Heaven If You Can't Talk With Jesus: On Depathologizing Deafness.  Maryland: T.J. Publishers, Inc.

Woodward, J. (1978).  "Historical Basis of American Sign Language" in R. Siple (Ed.).
Understanding Language Through Sign Language Research.  New York:  Academic Press.
 

VIDEOTAPES

Rutherford, S. (1984) American Culture: The Deaf Perspective:  Deaf Folklore. (a four-part videotape series).  San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Public Library/National Endowment for the Humanities.

        American Culture: The Deaf Perspective: Deaf Heritage.

        American Culture: The Deaf Perspective: Deaf Literature.

        American Culture: The Deaf Perspective: Minorities within the Deaf Community

Available from Gallaudet Media Distribution, Gallaudet University
Library, 800 Florida Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20002-3625

        American Folklore in the Deaf Community

        Deaf Folklore.

        Historic Film Collection of the National Association of the Deaf

        Visual Tales
        The Father, The Son, and The Donkey
        The Greedy Cat
        The House That Jack Built
        The Magic Pot
        Village Stew

        ASL Story time (8 tapes)

        The Deaf President Now ! Revolution

Available from T. J. Publishers, Inc. 817 Silver Spring Avenue,
#206, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
 

        An Introduction to American Deaf Culture. (five-part series)

Available from Sign Media, Inc. Burtonsville Commerce Center,
4020 Blackburn Lane, Burtonsville, MD 20866:

        Signs Around the World
        Smith, Theresa.  Deaf-Blind Communication & Community. (2 tapes)
        Sports Sign Series
        Four for You Fables and Fairy Tales
        Live at SMI
        Countries and Cities Around the World
        The Mystery of the Superintendent's House Around the World
 

Alysse's reminder note to Alysse :-)
Well, old age doesn't come alone:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1234567890/backyardhabitatsA/