Beginning American Sign Language Videocourse

Recent winner of a Telly award, this extensive introduction to American Sign Language features noted deaf actor Billy Seago and the fictional "Bravo" family, which is mainly comprised of deaf actors. Each of the programs is built around a certain theme ("food signs," "medical signs," "school-related signs," etc.) and features an introduction to new vocabulary words by Seago, a fictional skit involving the Bravo family, grammatical notes (for instance, using the concept of physical space in one's signing to show placement of people or objects in relation to one another), cultural notes (the problems of being deaf and needing to communicate vital information in a medical emergency, for example), and an extensive review and practice session. We watched lesson's 11 and 14, Playing in the Park (nature and sports signs) and Let's Go Clothes Shopping (clothing signs). Overall, the programs are excellently produced and informative. However, we did have a couple of minor quibbles. First, the majority of the program is not subtitled, meaning that the deaf person has to rely completely on the signing and visual cues provided by Seago and the Bravo's. That's not a problem with a word like "flower," especially when Seago points to an actual flower. However, when he points to the same flower and demonstrates the sign for the word "beautiful," it's not going to be immediately evident what he's referring to. The other quibble is that in these types of programs there's always a trade-off. Here, the producers' have opted for entertaining as they instruct (which is, I think, the better choice), but that means there are not as many vocabulary words as in similar programs which simply sign one word after another. Finally, it should be noted that both on the packaging and within the content of each tape, references are made to other volumes in the series. So, if you're going to purchase one, you better plan on purchasing the set. For series purchases, lesson's 5, 10, and 15, which are review sessions of the previous four lessons, are included free. The other titles in the series are: Meet the Bravo Family (morning routine signs), Breakfast With the Bravos (breakfast & dining signs), Where's the TV Remote? (household signs), Let's Go Food Shopping! (food signs), Read Any Good Fingers Lately? (colors & fingerspelling), A School Daze and A School Daze, The Sequel, (school-related signs), Dollar Signs (money & banking signs), The Doctor Is In! ( medical signs), and Business as UNusual (work-related signs). Highly recommended. (Available from: Sign Enhancers, Inc., 1320 Edgewater St. NW, Suite B-10, Salem, OR 97304; (800) 76-SIGN-1.)