Survival ASL! American Sign Language Level I

 A little bit about ASL  What to do when you meet a Deaf person for the first time  Learn basic introductory signs  Different ways to communicate with Deaf person What you will learn:

 You walk down the store and you saw two Deaf people sign to each other, but you wanted to communicate with them.  But, you don’t know ASL.  What should you do? Should you go ahead and introduce yourself? Or.. Should you just wait until you know enough signs? What if…

 American Sign Language (ASL) is the preferred language used by Deaf community. It is their natural language and has a very rich history behind the language. It includes signs and fingerspellings. What is American Sign Language?

 American Sign Language (ASL) is now the third most widely used language in the United States and other countries.  It is the preferred communication method for the Deaf and it will let you communicate with the Deaf community. Why learn ASL?

 ASL is NOT universal.  ASL is most similar to French Sign Language.  There are different kinds of sign languages all over the world.  90% of the DEAF have HEARING parents.  ASL is only used in the U.S. and Canada.  In the Deaf Culture when you arrive late to a meeting (or class) you have to explain why you were late? Did you know?

Now, let’s start with the basics to inrdoductions.

 When you meet a Deaf person: ◦ Be yourself. ◦ Try to remember as much signs as you can. ◦ If you don’t want to sign, it’s ok.. Have paper and pen ready. (However, you will be expected to sign) ◦ Don’t try to speak to a Deaf person (it’s rude) ◦ Don’t be scared and….HAVE FUN! Oh wait… first things first:

 You can take ASL classes.  You can also take out a paper and pen and write back and forth.  You can also use gestures (it is not a language)  If you know the ABS’s, you can also fingerspell (f-s) every word (not recommended)  BUT.. You want to learn ASL, don’t you? That’s why you are in this class First, what if you don’t know ASL?

 Make sure you introduce your name and last name (not necessary, but recommended)  Whether you are Deaf, Hearing or Hard of Hearing  Who is your ASL teacher (the deaf community is a small world. They just might know your teacher)  Why are you taking ASL class? –Family member deaf, friend…ect. WHEN INTRODUCING YOURSELF:

1. Let the Deaf person know you can sign 2. Let the Deaf person set the communication pattern to be used 3. Avoid talking (voicing) in the presence of a Deaf person without signing Avoid “eyedropping” on other people signing Some strategies to help you communicate with a Deaf person:

Make clear (as a beginner) that you are learning ASL. Slow Please Learning ASL I Oh I see Understand / Don’t Understand Know / Don’t know

 HELLO / WHATS UP?  HOW YOU? (How are you)  YOU /YOUR NAME WHAT? (What is your name?)  NICE MEET YOU! (Nice to meet you) HOW TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF

 HELLO / WHATS – UP  IM GOOD/BAD/OK…(more vocab later)  MY NAME (f-s)  NICE MEET YOU  YOU TOO (SAME) OTHER PERSON RESPONDS…

 When you sign, you MUST use face expression.  When you speak, you use face expression to express yourself, right? It is the same for ASL.  You also must use your eyebrows as well.  Don’t use “blank face” when signing Facial Expressions and Non- manual signs!

Non-Manual Markers  Non-Manual Markers are facial expressions used to denote certain grammatical aspects of ASL. Wh-questions: Lowered eyebrows Yes/No-questions: Raised eyebrows

What are Wh-Questions?  WHO  WHAT  WHERE  WHEN  WHY  WHICH  HOW Non-Manual Markers continued… Wh-questions: Lowered eyebrows Wh-questions: Lowered eyebrows WH-Questions in ASL always come at the end of the sentence. Examples YOU NAME WHAT? YOU LIVE WHERE? TEACHER YOU HAVE WHO?

Non-Manual Markers continued… For Yes/No questions: You will have your eyebrows raised. Examples:  DEAF YOU?  HEARING YOU?  STUDENT YOU?  TEACHER YOU? For Yes/No questions: You will have your eyebrows raised. Examples:  DEAF YOU?  HEARING YOU?  STUDENT YOU?  TEACHER YOU? Yes/No-questions: Raised eyebrows

Non-Manual Markers Wh-questions: Lowered eyebrows

Why are face expressions important? In order to achieve the correct question type you must use the eyebrows to get your question across to the other signer. WHAT DO THESE FACES TELL YOU?

 You must lower your eyebrows. Hey, not angry/mad expression Examples:  YOU /YOUR NAME WHAT? (What is your name?)  NICE MEET YOU! (Nice to meet you)  HOW YOU? (How are you)  WHO YOU? (Who are you?)  BATHROOM WHERE? (Where is the bathroom/restroom/toilet?) AGAIN… Wh-questions:

 YOU WILL NEED THE NEXT SIGNS TO SURVIVE A CONVERSATION. THESE ARE SIMPLE INTROS TO A CONVERSATION AND THAT WILL COME IN HANDY AS A BEGINNER LEARNER. NOW – TIME TO LEARN BASICS

Basic Vocabulary: SuRvIvAl ASL!Basic Vocabulary  HELLO  HI  MY  NAME  LEARN  BATHROOM  KNOW  HELP  HOW  FRIEND  WHATS UP  INTRODUCE  WANT  WHAT  MEET  YES  NO  WHERE  AGAIN  ASL (American Sign Language)

Basic Vocabulary:  UNDERSTAND  I NOT UNDERSTAND  STOP  FUN  GO OUT  PLEASE  MORE  SEE  LATER  TOMORROW  NOTHING  WHO  HOW  TEACHER  STUDENT  HEARING  DEAF  WHEN  WHY

Key Phrases: Hint: (f-s) means “fingerspell”  YOU NAME WHAT? (what is your name)  HOW YOU? (How are you?)  ME LEARN ASL  NICE MEET YOU (Nice to meet you)  I WANT INTRODUCE (I want to introduce)  YOU TOO  BATHROOM WHERE?  PLEASE SIGN AGAIN.  I UNDERSTAND  I NOT UNDERSTAND (I don’t understand)  MEET WHERE? (Where do you want to meet)  DEAF YOU?

Asking for Repetition:  AGAIN PLEASE  SORRY  NOT UNDERSTAND  REPEAT  PLEASE  SLOW  DON’T KNOW  FORGET

Let’s go back and review the words and phrases.

The following activities are introductory conversations. You and your partner will engage in conversational activities. PLEASE use eyebrows and face expressions!

 Find your partner (or friend) to sign with.  Take turns signing each key phrase to each other:  A: HELLO  B: HI!  A: YOU NAME WHAT?  B: MY NAME (f-s), YOU NAME WHAT?  A: MY NAME (f-s)  B: NICE MEET YOU  A: YOU TOO Activity: Introduction

 Find a different partner and work with him/her. Take turns signing the conversation:  A: WHATS UP?  B: NOTHING. HOW YOU?  A: ME GOOD.  B: YOUR NAME WHAT?  A: ME NAME (f-s)  B: NICE MEET YOU  A: SEE LATER  B: SEE TOMORROW Activity: Introduction

 Now, work with someone next to you. Sign these conversations:  A: HI!  B: HELLO  A: HOW YOU?  B: ME FINE. YOU?  A: BATHROOM WHERE?  B: I NOT UNDERSTAND. AGAIN PLEASE  A: BATHROOM WHERE?  B: I UNDERSTAND. (Explain where the bathroom is)  A: THANKS.  B: SEE LATER. Activity: Introduction

 A: WHO YOU?  B: ME NAME (f-s)  A: HOW YOU?  B: GOOD. YOU?  A: GOOD. WHY YOU HERE?  B: I TAKE ASL  A: WHEN?  B: TOMORROW  A: WHERE?  B: HERE.  A: O-K SEE LATER.  B: SEE TOMORROW Activity: Introduction

Now, go ahead and meet two people and practice the introductory activity yourself with face expressions.

 What did you learn from this lesson?  Feel comfortable signing? (if not, don’t worry, it takes time. No rush.)  What do you want to learn from this?  Do you have any questions?  Write about all of this in your journal Review!

Deaf Culture Defined  Deaf Culture is defined as a set of learned behaviors of a group of people who have their own language, values, rules of behaviors and traditions. ◦ Padden, 1989

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT