Lesson 2 Lifeprint

Yes/No Facial Expression You should raise your eyebrows when asking a question to which there is a "yes" or "no" answer. YES/NO facial expression: Note: The "Yes/No" facial expression is one of many "nonmanual markers" (NMM) used in ASL.

“WH” question facial expressions You should lower your eyebrows when asking a question to which there is a more than a "yes" or "no" answer. This expression is typically used for questions using the signs: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW, HOW-MANY, and WHY. "WH" question facial expression: "eyebrows down." Here I'm doing a version of the sign "WHO?"

Indexing Indexing is when you point your index finger at a person who is or isn't in the signing area. Sometimes we call that "present referent" and/or absent referent. If the person is there, (present) you can just point at him to mean "HE" or "SHE." You can point at an object to mean "IT." If the person is not there, you can identify him by spelling his name (or some other method of identification--like a "name sign," or maybe someone else has spelled his name, or he was sitting in a chair and then got up and left), then you can "index" him to a point in space. Now you have a referent for that person. Once you have set up a referent, you can refer back to that same point each time you want to talk about that person. In American Sign Language, the index or forefinger handshape is used to indicate the pronouns "me," "you," "he-she-it," "we," "you-all," and "they." (Some people just fingerspell words like "SHE, HE, THEY..." To sign "me" you just point at yourself or touch your index finger to your chest.

Me, You, He, She & It To sign "me" you just point at yourself or touch your index finger to your chest. To sign "you" you just point at the person you are talking to. Here is an example of "you" as part of a "wh" question:  (For example, "Who are you?) To sign "he, she, or it, you just point at him, her, or it. To sign "they" you either point at the group or you point off to the right and sweep farther to the right. Remember:  Pointing the index finger at a person or thing within the communication area is the form of the space present referent principle.  Pointing at a person or thing that isn't there is an example of space absent referent.

THESE: Notice "these" are closer than "those THESE:  Notice "these" are closer than "those." Single sweeping movement. THEY/THOSE/THEM:  Use a small sweeping movement off to your right.

We / Us

THOSE-TWO: The sign "THOSE-TWO" uses a "K" handshape (or a "V" as I'm showing here) and points at the two people to whom you are referring. The movement is a little sideways shake. Those three: The sign THOSE-THREE uses a "3" handshape (thumb, index, and middle finger) and makes a very small horizontal circle in the air (or a side to side horizontal movement.

Creating Plurals in ASL Some methods of pluralizing: 1. Use a number 2. Incorporate a number into the sign 3. Use a quantifier such as "MANY, FEW, SEVERAL" 4. Use a classifier such as "SCADS-OF" 5. Use with a phrase: STORE, I GO-to, (shift) GO-to, (shift) GO-to. 6. Sweep 7. Reduplication 8. Inflection of the movement (e.g. people) 9. Reposition If you sign "STORE" and then do the sign GO-to several times in different directions it will cause the concept of "STORE" to become plural (STORES) and will mean something to the effect of: I went to several different stores:

Possession In American Sign Language, personal pronouns (me, she/he, you, us, them) can indicate possession by changing the handshape from an index finger to a  flat hand (a version of a "b" palm). The palm should face toward the person or thing that is doing the possessing. For example, the sign for "you" when done with a "b" palm, fingertips up, palm toward the person, means "your." Other examples: mine: "b" palm on chest his: "b" palm toward the person hers "b" palm toward the person theirs "b" palm makes sweeping motion indicating whom is being referred to General possession can be indicated by signing the word "have." To do this, place the fingertips of both "b" palms on your chest. Your hands should be bent at the knuckles with the fingers straight.

Certain signs can show "who did what to whom" through their movement Certain signs can show "who did what to whom" through their movement. The movement of the sign indicates the subject and the object of the verb. For example, if I sign "money" and then I sign "give" starting near my body and moving the sign "give" in your direction, then I'm signing "I will give you some money," or "I gave you money." Suppose I start the sign by holding the sign away from my body (in whatever direction you are) and then move the sign "give" toward me and end near my body...that would mean, "You give me some money." If I look at you and move the sign "give" out to my right or left, I am signing "Give it to him." This "directionality" can be used with many (but not all) signs. How do you know which ones? You associate with skilled users of the language and pick up on it, or you watch many videos of skilled signers, or you attend many classes, pay attention, and ask questions about signs. Directionality http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/directionality.htm