iSign is a tutorial and reference program for American Sign Language (ASL) designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The program contains an animated phrase book of 800 signs.
Each of the gestures is modelled with a 3D character and completely animated. The vantage point for each sign was chosen so that the user can see the details of the hand positions. These are the ASL signs, not finger spellings.
The program allows users to organise signs by category or alphabetically, and to mark favourites. There is also a quiz mode which tests recall either of all signs or of signs marked as favourites.
A program like this won’t replace classes with a live instructor. It can teach you individual words but not the grammar and syntax of ASL, which is very different from English grammar and syntax. And, of course, it can’t teach you about Deaf culture and history – which is very important to understand when learning any language. But for those who are taking classes, or wish to augment existing knowledge of ASL, it’s a fantastic resource. I wish there were a program like this for Australian Sign Language (Auslan)!
The program may also be of use to supporters and educators of people who use Makaton, Signed English/Signed Exact English (SEE), Pigeon Signed English (PSE)/Contact sign, Simultaneous Communication (SinCom), and all other communication methods which utilise ASL signs. These modified communication methods are often used by children with developmental delays, people with autism, and those with intellectual impairments as well as deaf and hearing impaired people. Parents teaching approximate ASL gestures for Baby Sign may also be interested in the program.
The iDev2 company also has an app which teaches ASL fingerspeling, ABCSign, and a “lite” version of iSign which is free and contains 25 of iSign’s 800 signs. You can try out iSign Lite before purchasing iSign to make sure it fits your requirements.
At the time of writing, iSign was retailing for US$9.99 in the iTunes Store.
Website: iSign
- Ricky Buchanan
margaret mckay November 30, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Hi there
Do you know if there are any developments in the UK of iSign or any similiar products which would use British Sign Language?
Ricky Buchanan November 30, 2008 at 11:03 pm
@Margaret: I haven’t heard of any BSL based products, or any other sign language except ASL unfortunately. Personally I’d love one that could help me with my Auslan studies! If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.
Sara Bingham, WeeHands December 3, 2008 at 4:53 am
It’s wonderful that you are sharing information about sign language! Love this concept! Keep up the great work…and words!
Sara Bingham, WeeHands Founder
author of The Baby Signing Book
Janine October 15, 2010 at 11:36 am
Definitely a good resource for our parents that learn the Baby Signs program!