1. The Structure of ASL (true ASL) I understand ENGLISH is your native language (for most of you anyway) I also understand that ASL is based on the AMERICAN language BUT…

2. ASL is NOT ENGLISH!!!!!!!

3. ASL is it’s own UNIQUE language With it’s own set of rules and structure

4. The Structure of ASL (true ASL) SYNTAX SYNTAX is the way a sentence is structured. SYNTAX are the RULES that define a sentence structure.

5. ASL SYNTAX In ASL SYNTAX is conveyed through WORD ORDER and NON-MANUAL SIGNALS

6. ASL STRUCTURE In most cases (not always, as there are exceptions to every rule) the STRUCTURE of ASL is: TIME LOCATION SENTENCE TYPE

7. TIME This can refer to:  clock time 3:34pm, 6:15am etc…  calendar time Monday, last week, next month, yesterday, in a short while, etc…  Time periods Summer, Autumn, before, 14 th century, the future, Colonial times, next semester, 350 BC, etc…

8. LOCATION Exactly what is meant… A PLACE, any place: DESK, CEILING, LIBRARY, STATUE OF LIBERTY, LOS ANGELES, BASEBALL FIELD, GRANDMA’S FARM, YOUR BEDROOM CLOSET, ETC….

9. SENTENCE TYPE You know several: WH Q Negation Affirmation Command There are more…for another time

10. Examples I went to the store last night.  LAST NIGHT STORE I GO-TO There is no school next Tuesday, it’s a holiday.  NEXT-WEEK TUESDAY SCHOOL NONE, HOLIDAY I watched the movie “SAW” on Halloween night at my house, it was scary!  HALLOWEEN NIGHT MY HOUSE MOVIE S-A-W I WATCH, SCARE!

11. Mmmmmmm What happens when there is no TIME reference? What do I do???

12. Use the LOCATION But… what if there is no TIME or LOCATION?

13. Use the SENTENCE TYPE

14. Examples (NEGATION) I don’t like to ride my bicycle when I’m tired.  ME TIRED MY BICYCLE-RIDE I DON’T-LIKE (WH) What am I going to cook for dinner?  DINNER COOK WHAT? (Q) Did you buy me some ice cream?  ICE-CREAM YOU BUY FOR-ME?