A Basic Course in American Sign Language

by Terrence J. O'Rourke, Carol Padden, Frank Allen Paul (Illustrator)

This book contains twenty-two lessons that cover the foundations of ASL grammar and vocabulary with an emphasis on proper sentence structure. Both grammar and new vocabulary is introduced in an intuitive progression to build a solid understanding of the concepts.

It is the perfect written complement to the award-winning CD-ROM, Sign Langauge for Everyone. The lessons include:

Pronouns Adjectives Negatives Yes/No Questions and their responses Negative Questions Past, Present and Future Tense Directional and Non-Directional Verbs Using Numbers Use of "This"/"That" Quantifiers Time Measurements Conditional Sentences Motion, Shape and Detail

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Language, Textbooks, Linguistics, Self Help, Read For School

288 pages, Spiral-bound

First published December 1, 1980

Reviews

[Susan Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a student of ASL, this has been my school's chosen text. It's a fantastic book but some of the signs are outdated, and it's hard to understand a sign based on a drawing. That being said, it is a classic, and for the most part, an accurate reference.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My current professor is the only person at the school who uses this curriculum, and it’s a shame. It is a much textbook than “Signing Naturally”, whose only benefit is that there is digital support. This is still a superior text, as I used the other for a semester.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that helps one to learn ASL. The images are a little confusing at times.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to follow and very well put together

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and introduction to sign language but only if you also have an instructor in person. There is more to sign that working from a book, more about the social structure of the deaf community, and it's imperative to learn from someone who can show the signs in person and impart all the little things that make signing better for those who must talk to the hearing. So the book is good, in conjunction with good instruction.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of my ASL books used in the classroom setting by a deaf teacher. Not a book for learning on your own, but you really should be learning ASL in a group situation. It is so easy for the beginner to misinterpret the handshape and movement of many signs. The book was useful for the conversational side of signing. The rules are laid out and exercises reinforce the unit information. Some of the signs were different from ones in our region, but you will have that with any book.

[Dioscita · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion this is the best of them if you want to really learn to sign; though self-study doesn't work (how do you know you're making the signs correctly? Have you tried to un-learn something?), I still use this with my students.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book that I received in ASL in college. It remains my favorite. It can get anyone started and is very comprehensive... with the exception of some technical signs. I have also used this book to help teach other ASL.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great starter text for beginners in ASL. We used this all through my first year of interpreting curriculum. The vocab is easy to distinguish and exercizes are great.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reference book for learning ASL. When learning to sign, it is helpful to have a number of different books to cross-reference.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ASL class I am taking uses this book. I really like the organization of the book. It helps you understand how the language WORKS versus just listing signs for each word.

[Kaijsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. Love the format and the teaching order. Clear and easy to understand.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gold standard in ASL textbooks.

[Amanda Yarsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first ASL book :)

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent basic text on Sign.