ASL Storytelling Tracy Koster March 8, 2006

STORYBOOKS –Space usage –Expressions –Classifier Use –Role Shifting

Space Usage Normal “signing space” –extends from top of head to waist, and shoulder to shoulder. Signers tend to stand within arm’s length from people they are talking to.

Expressions Important!!! 70% of ASL based on expressions! –deaf people miss out on vocal inflections –no expressions – boring! eyebrows eyes eye gaze etc. Body language is important as well.

Classifiers Used to describe … Location Movement Action Quantity Thickness Texture …of object(s)

Examples of Classifiers G F Thin C “bent” 5

Role Shifting Important to tell audience which character is speaking –Put yourself in character’s shoes Usually shift shoulders… rarely whole body. Use to describe character’s personality or actions. (don’t use adjectives!) Indexing

Telling stories in general Review stories before you ASL them When possible, don’t overwhelm yourself with the entire book –practice one page at a time, again and again until you get a good feel for it