1. The building blocks of American Sign Language

2. What is a Language?
A system of symbols and grammatical signals that change across time.
Members of a community share and use this language to interact and to transmit culture.
“system” – languages have structure – syntax, grammar
“change” – languages are not static…
“community” – languages reflect the people who use them
“culture” – each language expresses culture

3. Spoken Languages
The basic building blocks of English are These sounds (vowels, consonants) are combined to Words are combined to which are combined to
If we change one of the building blocks, the and the changes:
sounds.
form words.
form sentences,
form stories, etc. o o
“st p” st p
word
meaning e e

4. The Five Parameters of ASL:
HANDSHAPE – There are 45 different handshapes in ASL
LOCATION – The location (where on the body) of each sign can change, and add grammatical information.
MOVEMENT – The direction that the sign moves (away from the body, towards the body) carries specific information. Repetition of movement can have grammatical information.
PALM ORIENTATION – Each handshape can change orientation; the palm can face out, down, up, etc.
FACIAL EXPRESSION – Many signs in ASL require a non-manual signal in order to be produced correctly. Others simply require the emotive facial expression to match the meaning the signer is trying to convey.

5. Sign Parameters – The parts of a sign
It is important for new signers to realize that even a slight alteration of ONE of the parameters can produce an un-intended sign.
Watch the video clip and then use the following table to practice the sets of signs demonstrated…
Notice that a change in just one small parameter will often produce a new sign (but not always).

6. Link to video.

7. Your turn. Sign them with the video…

8. English equivalent glosses
Once More. Try to sign them without the video this time…
ASL Sign Parameters
English equivalent glosses
HANDSHAPE (HS)
RESTAURANT TWIN ARIZONA
PALM ORIENTATION (PO)
SCHOOL STOP PROOF
MOVEMENT (MOV)
STOP SOME REJECT
LOCATION (LOC)
SUMMER UGLY DRY
FACIAL EXPRESSION (NMS)
LATE NOT-YET

9. Sign: Lousy Hand in shape of a 3 At the nose Down & out
What are the Parameters for the sign: LOUSY?
HS: __________________________ LOC: _________________________ MOV:_________________________
PO: _________________________
FACE EX: ______________________ (Non-Manual Signal)
Emotion or Grammar?
Hand in shape of a 3
At the nose
Down & out
Faces non-dominant side
Disgust

10. What are the changes in Parameters?
Watch as the following signs are demonstrated…
What are the changes in Parameters?
Write the changes on the charts on your handout.

11. Parameters: HANDSHAPE, LOCATION, MOVEMENT, PALM ORIENTATION, FACIAL EXPRESSION
PAPER
SCHOOL
PARAMETER CHANGE:
LIKE
WHITE
LATE
NOT YET
FOOTBALL
WRESTLING
TELL
ANSWER
MOVEMENT
HANDSHAPE
FACIAL EXPRESS
MOVEMENT
PALM ORIENT.

12. Parameters: HANDSHAPE, LOCATION, MOVEMENT, PALM ORIENTATION, FACIAL EXPRESSIONMY
YOURS
PARAMETER CHANGE:
CHAIR
SIT
SUMMER
DRY
TRAIN
SOON
RED
CUTE
PALM ORIENT. LOCATION
MOVEMENT
LOCATION
PALM ORIENT.
HANDSHAPE

13. Parameter Practice

14. You need…
Number your paper

15. You need…
Write the signs and the difference on your paper.

16. Watch each set of two signs. How are they different?
Finished? all the signs copied?
Watch each set of two signs. How are they different?
1. CHAIR vs SIT
9. COMB vs. COMB-HAIR
2. AIRPLANE vs FLY
10. GLASSES vs. BIG-EYES
3. TOILET vs SEATTLE
11. PAPER vs. CHEESE
4. WHICH vs. CAR
vs. 17
5. EARLY vs EMPTY
13. LIKE vs. WHITE
6. UGLY vs DRY
14. #BACK vs. #BANK
7. LATE vs. NOT YET
15. FOOTBALL vs WRESTLING
8. GIRL vs AUNT
16. PAY-YOU vs. PAY-ME
Write the signs AND parameter change on your paper.

17. Answers Let’s see how you did… 1. MOVEMENT 9. MOVEMENT 2. MOVEMENT
1. CHAIR vs SIT
1. MOVEMENT
9. MOVEMENT
9. COMB vs. COMB-HAIR
2. AIRPLANE vs FLY
2. MOVEMENT
10. HANDSHAPE
10. GLASSES vs. BIG-EYES
3. HANDSHAPE
3. TOILET vs SEATTLE
11. MOVEMENT
11. PAPER vs. CHEESE
4. HANDSHAPE
4. WHICH vs. CAR
12. HANDSHAPE
vs. 17
5. MOVEMENT
5. EARLY vs EMPTY
13. HANDSHAPE
13. LIKE vs. WHITE
6. UGLY vs DRY
6. LOCATION
14. MOVEMENT (hs)
14. #BACK vs. #BANK
7. LATE vs. NOT YET
7. NMS
15. MOVEMENT
15. FOOTBALL vs WRESTLING
8. MOVEMENT
8. GIRL vs AUNT
16. MOVEMENT
16. PAY-YOU vs. PAY-ME
Answers

18. You will pick eight (8) signs from your CURRENT vocabulary list.
Your homework…
You will pick eight (8) signs from your CURRENT vocabulary list.
Write them in – on your “Parameter worksheet”
SIGN__________
HS –
LOC –
MOV –
PO –
NMGS –
SIGN__________
HS –
LOC –
MOV –
PO –
NMGS –
SIGN__________
HS –
LOC –
MOV –
PO –
NMGS –
SIGN__________
HS –
LOC –
MOV –
PO –
NMGS –

19. NAME Examples: DEAF SIGN__________ HS – LOC – MOV – PO – NMGS – PO –
(2h) N
neutral space
dominant N hand taps top of other
Face each other
none
DEAF
index (#1)
head
ear to mouth
in toward body
none

20. OOPS!
I almost forgot to tell you!
This is a TEAM activity!

21. Each team will select 8 signs.
Your homework…
Each team will select 8 signs.
NO TEAMS MAY USE THE SAME SIGNS.
The vocabulary list will be up on the doc cam… You must cross out the signs you have selected on the board.
First come first pick!

22. Your homework…
You may work together in your Teams. I will allow you to use voice to discuss and work together. You may ask me questions,
-- but I will not be voicing yet.
Sorry!