Martin L. A. Sternberg, Ed.D., is a native New Yorker. Deaf since the age of seven, he has spent most of his
career working with deaf people. The idea for this book came from Dr. Elizabeth Peet, Dr. Sternberg's sign language
teacher at Gallaudet University (for the deaf), in Washington, DC. Dr. Sternberg kept Dr. Peet's ideas and methods,
but expanded the work greatly. Early work on the project received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare to New York University, the sponsoring institution. A graduate of the City College of New
York, American University, and New York University, Dr. Sternberg has enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher
at Gallaudet, New York, Hofstra, and Adelphi Universities. He is currently chairman of the board of trustees of
Lexington School for the Deaf and Lexington Center for the Deaf. He is the author of four ASL dictionaries and
a Codies Award-winning CD-ROM, all published by HarperCollins. He also received Emmy and Peabody nominations for
his ASL series by the NBC network, "Speaking With Your Hands," as well as medals at various international
film and television festivals.
Review
"The most complete dictionary of sign language ever published."
--National Association of the Deaf
Submitted by Harper Collins Web Site, September, 2001
Summary
Appearing first in 1981, this dictionary remains the largest and most comprehensive book of sign language ever
published. Now, completely revised and expanded, American Sign Language features:
More than 7,000 sign entries, plus cross-references
More than 12,000 illustrations
2,000 more signs than any other ASL dictionary, including dozens of signs that have only recently come into usage
Arranged alphabetically to enhance usability
Other features include a pronunciation guide for English language glosses and a foreword to the original edition
by the late Mary E. Switzer, United States Commissioner of Vocational Rehabilitation.
American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most frequently used language in the United States after English and
Spanish. ASL has its own distinct grammar and syntax. The entries appearing herein represents signs, not words,
and the illustrations of the hand, arm, and facial expressions will aid the reader in forming the signs.
This book is indispensable to deaf people and their relatives, friends, and associated. Social workers, otologists,
hearing and speech therapists, audiologists, and rehabilitation workers have long considered this book a major
addition to their libraries.
