The Perigee Visual Dictionary of Signing

"The Perigee Dictionary" has very clear illustrations and descriptions of over 1500 signs. It also includes memory aids to help you retain what you are learning. It is in basic, A - Z, format and serves as a wonderful starting point for people interested in learning signs.

One must be careful to remember a few things, however: There are regional dialects and what is signed one way in Michigan is signed differently in California, this by no means exhausts ASL vocabulary; and, finally, American Sign Language is a foreign language, completely different than English (as different from English as Russian). If you keep those ideas in mind, you should have no trouble utilizing this fabulous resource while understanding how much more there is to know.

Highly recommended as an initial dictionary. That's just this deafie's opinion. :v)


The best ASL dictionary out there!   May 3, 2003
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Having experience with American Sign Language for almost 10 years, I have read (and own) a great many signing books and dictionaries. This is by far the best. The drawings are easy to understand (which is often not the case with many books), and is accompanied by a text description as well. Each entry also has suggestions of the origin of the sign, but also can help a student remember the word as a memory aide. There are many signs in here that other dictionaries do not include, though it (of course) doesn't have everything. The signs are usually "modern" versions of a sign (as languages change and adapt), unlike some books which have very old signs or even signs exclusive to SEE signing. I would recommend to anyone learning ASL.


Sub-Par Dictionary, Great Teaching/Learning Aid   December 2, 2002
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

As an ASL student, I was rather disappointed with this book's word coverage. It was rather spotty, showing words such as "roller skate"(as a verb) but not "roll", for example. If you already know ASL and just forgot a word or want to brush up on the language, I don't recommend this book for you.
However, this would be a great teaching/learning aid, boasting such features as large and detailed pictures, written directions on how to form a sign, alphabetical word listings, memory aids and context examples on how the word is used. This is great for educators to use as pseudo-textbooks during lessons. However, its poor dictionary coverage will limit its use somewhat.


This is a great learning tool!   April 17, 2001
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I have just started learning to sign. I used the smaller pocket version of this book to learn my first 600 signs. I purchased this larger version to continue my learning. The descriptions are clear, and the memory hints are very helpful. I recommend this book without reservation!


Fabulous resource for any signer...novice to sage!!   January 31, 1999
 22 out of 23 found this review helpful

As a professional sign language interpreter, I am often asked by non-signers to recommend a book for them to begin learning this beautiful, expressive language...this is always the first one I mention!