1. American Sign Language
PARAMETERS

2. Definition
There are 5 main parameters (features) in ASL that makes ASL a language.
You will learn to recognize the parameters as you learn and use signs.

3. 1. HANDSHAPE Over 25 hand shapes in ASL. Example:
School, paper, and cheese
Today and Now

4. 2. PALM ORIENTATION Reflects the orientation of your hands.
Example: Balance and Maybe
Table and Baby

5. 3. LOCATION Some signs are directional.
Where the signs are placed (forehead, in the air)
Example: See on face

6. 4. MOVEMENT Specific movement of the signs affect the meanings.
How you move your hands (downward, backward, wave, zig zag)
Example: Happy and Enjoy
Complain and cough

7. 5. NON-MANUAL SIGNALS
Specific non-manual signals (NMS) affect the meaning of a sign.
Example: Late and haven’t
Very-busy-as-a-bee/what you doing?

8. EXAMPLES Can you identify which parameters are similar and different?
Pretty/Beautiful
Relationship/Cooperate
Grow/Plant
Orange/Old
Game/Go-steady/sports

9. Assignment 1/3
Using your notebook paper, list the following words I have for you.
Describe which parameters is similar and different for each word.
~READY?~

10. Assignment 2/3 1. Wedding/sandwich/marry 2. Interpreting/captioning
3. Movies/busy
4. Chocolate/church
5. Trouble/worry

11. Assignment 3/3
List 10 handshapes there are in ASL. Write two signs for each handshape.
For example, CL: B – Good and Bad