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.

6. English equivalent glosses
Try to sign them …
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

7. 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

8. What are the changes in Parameters?
Sign the following words with a partner…
What are the changes in Parameters?
Write the changes on the charts on your handout.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. Parameter Practice

12. You will pick eight (8) signs from any of your vocabulary lists.
Your homework…
You will pick eight (8) signs from any of your vocabulary lists.
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 –

13. 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

14. OOPS! This is a small group (2-3) activity!
I almost forgot to tell you!
This is a small group (2-3) activity!