Denton Independent School District / Overview



Unit 1 Notes“WH” questions:whThe “WH” word is signed at the end of a “WH” question. Example:English: Where is the book? ASL: BOOK WHERE“WH” questions require the following elements:eyebrows down (when signing the “wh” question word)head tilthold the last signthe “WH” word is signed at the end of a “WH” questionThe following are “WH” questions:WHOWHATWHENWHEREWHYHOWWHICHHOW-MANY/HOWMUCHDO-DO (WHAT-DO)ASL is a Visual/Gestural Language:ASL is a Visual/Gestural Language is continued on the next page.American Sign Language is an actual language. In the past, it was not thought to be a language, but research has proven that it is. Obviously, it is very different than all spoken languages, such as English. Another misconception is that ASL is universal. ASL is used in America and parts of Canada. Many other countries have their own signed language.ASL is…..Visual: this means you see it Gestural: this means you sign it However, it also includes any movements of the body that have meaning.Which Hand Do I Use ?Use “the hand that feels most comfortable and natural for you…”. For most people, it is the hand they write with. That will be your “dominant hand”. If you find yourself switching dominant hands, choose one and use it, only, for your dominant hand.Dominant hand – the hand used the most when signing. For most right handed people, it is their right hand. For most left handed people, it is their left hand.Non-Dominant Hand - the other hand Understanding dominant and non-dominant hand usage:One -handed Signs: signs that are formed with only one hand – the dominant hand.Examples: WHERE, TOMORROW, RESTAURANT, EAT, HOMETwo-handed symmetrical signs: signs that are formed with both hands, equally, in symmetrical movements.Examples: WHAT, ADDRESS, MACHINE, LIVE, GAME, WONDERFULTwo-handed non-symmetrical signs: the dominant hand moves, but the non-dominant hand remains stationary.Examples: NAME, NEAR/CLOSE, COFFEE, CHAIR, SCHOOLNon-Manual Signals:The word “manual” refers to what our hands do to make a sign. Since ASL is a visual language, there are other things that are a part of the signing. These are Non-Manual Signals. The “non” refers to the part of a sign not signed with the hands. Non-Manual Signals are an important grammatical aspect of ASL.For example, ASL adverbs are made by the eyes and eyebrows. ASL adjectives use the mouth, tongue, and lips.The Non-Manual Signals that are covered in this unit are:“WH” question: eyebrows down, or furrowed (there are more features for a “WH” question – see previous notes)Yes/no question: eyebrows up (there are more features for a yes/no question – see previous notes)Yes, or affirmation: head nodNo, or negation: head shakeFacial Expressions:It is also important to include facial expressions conveying the “tone of voice” while you are signing. Your facial expression must match the feeling…the content of what you sign. When signing “SAD”, your face must convey that meaning. Without these facial expressions, the message may be unclear or incorrect. Also, people watching can become bored. It is much like a monotone voice…it is tough to listen to/tough to watch. Don’t be afraid to be visually expressive, it is an important part of ASL and Deaf culture. Practice. Parameters:ASL, like all languages, has parameters. Parameters of a language are specific building blocks unique to that language. English has the A B C’s, phonetics, and the varying vocal inflections. ASL has 5 parameters. As in all languages, all parameters must be combined accurately to produce the word/sign.Five Parameters of an ASL sign:Handshape: the shape of the handPalm Orientation: the direction the palm is facing: up, down, toward signer, out from signer, left, rightLocation: where the sign is madeMovement: how the hand(s) move - up, down, left, right, diagonally, fast, slowNon-Manual Signals (NMS): varying head and face movements that convey specific meaningEye ContactEye contact is extremely important in American Sign Language. Within Deaf culture it is considered rude to look away during a conversation. This is for the simple reason that d/Deaf people receive information through their eyes…that is how Deaf people communicate! Also, breaking eye contact can show disinterest or boredom.Students learning ASL must learn to not look away when signing with a Deaf person. Hearing people have a tendency to look at noises in the environment. This must be avoided. If there is something important to look at, the hearing person would sign “HOLD-ON” and explain what is going on if it is not evident.Maintaining eye contact is often difficult for hearing people. Think of how often you turn your head in the direction of sound.Signing SpaceWhen signing, there is a basic area that is considered the signing space.ASL is structured for the eyes. To sign outside of the signing spacemakes the information more difficult to obtain. It can also beuncomfortable for the hands, wrists, and shoulders.Deaf vs deaf:When deaf is not capitalized, it describes one’s hearing status. When capitalized, Deaf describes those individuals who are proud to be Deaf, consider themselves members of the Deaf culture/community and use American Sign Language.Pointing:Pointing is a natural part of this visual language. It is common to see someone reference another person by pointing. If a person is not there, the signer will point to an empty space and continue signing. Using the index finger to point is called “deixis”. Some refer to it as “indexing” or, when pointing to an empty space because the person is not there, it is sometimes referred to as “setting up in space”.When you use deixis (indexing/pointing/setting up in space), look that direction. This is called “eye gaze” and helps “hold” that location for the person you are signing about. It is a vital part of ASL.Closing Signal Why do I have to point twice?Pointing back at yourself or the person you are talking about shows completion of a train of thought. This allows somebody else to begin signing without interrupting you. Using a deixis at the end of a sentence is called a “closing signal”.A closing signal can be used when:making a statement or comment about yourself or somebody elseasking a question (“WH” and Yes/NO)with a Yes/No question, the “wiggle” question mark is another optionReplying in ASLWhen responding to a question or statement, in ASL one-word replies are incomplete. Always convey a complete thought. (As with any language user, each individual’s use of the language varies. In class we will seek to follow the language rules closely.)Introductions in Deaf CultureIntroductions in the Deaf community tend to include both first and last names. When you fingerspell your name, pause slightly between your first and last name. You do NOT have to sign “LAST NAME” between the first and last name. When signing “My name is….use the deixis/index finger (“I/ME”), don’t sign “MY”.Introductions vary depending on whether one is hearing or Deaf. Deaf people meeting other Deaf will tend to ask for background information, such as where he/she goes or went to school. If you are hearing, you may be introduced as a hearing person who knows or is learning ASL. Usually, the Deaf person will want to know where you are learning/have learned sign and why, and be interested in any connections you may have with the Deaf community. Often, new acquaintances have friends in common, or may know each other’s relatives. Many Deaf people have stories about meeting a friend of a friend in other cities, states, and even countries. Often Deaf people will ask one another (and hearing people) if they know someone, perhaps from the same area or school.It is culturally appropriate to shake hands when meeting or greeting friends. Like many hearing people, Deaf friends often hug each other when saying hello or goodbye.Good-byes in Deaf CultureTwo ways mentioned of saying “goodbye” are “GOOD-BYE” and “TAKE-CARE”.Often good-byes include making plans for the next time the friends will see each other again. Shaking hands and hugging are common. It is considered rude to leave a group of Deaf friends without saying good-bye to each person. This is why farewells can take a long time.Getting AttentionSome ways to get a Deaf person’s attention that are effective and considered culturally appropriate:Tap, gently, on the Deaf person’s shoulder-just one or two taps, not excessively.Wave, slightly, in his or her field of vision, not excessively. If the person is far away, or in a location in which they cannot readily see you, get the help of a third person.Flash lights, in large groups, but not excessively.Using your voice around Deaf peopleIt is considered rude if you use your voice instead of signing when a D/deaf person is near. Signing in the presence of a D/deaf person is a way for everybody to have equal access to what is being communicated. If you must speak to a hearing person who doesn’t know ASL, sign the conversation, as well. (It will be less accurate ASL, but will include all.) If you must talk to a hearing person who doesn’t know ASL (because your skills are not sufficient) tell your Deaf friend or teacher before speaking. Talking While SigningSome hearing people “talk” silently while signing out of habit…others think it helps D/deaf people read lips/lip-read. Only about 30% of the English language can be lipread. Deaf people lip-read English, not ASL, so don’t mix the two. Sometimes a D/deaf person will “talk” silently (mouth) to help hearing people understand what is being signed, but don’t with those who understand ASL. Your lips and mouth are a part of the Non-Manual Signals of ASL…which we will study later. In the meantime, don’t say or mouth the English translation on your lips while signing. Usually that talking/mouthing will influence your signing and it will not be ASL. How People Learn American Sign LanguageMost D/deaf people are raised in hearing families, Approximately 90%.. Approximately 10 % of Deaf people have Deaf parents and grow up in families where American Sign Language is used daily. When these two populations come together at schools for the deaf, those who do not know sign language, learn from the Deaf children with Deaf parents. Often in the past, the use of sign language was forbidden at schools for the deaf, but the desire for a natural, visual language could not be suppressed. Many Deaf people have stories of only being allowed to sign when class was not in session.In the 1960s, ASL (finally!) gained recognition as a unique language, different from English. In the 1970s, schools for the Deaf began using ASL to teach their students and had sign language classes for hearing people. By the 1980s, the Deaf community was considered a cultural minority, rather than a group of disabled persons. This is due mostly to the movement called Deaf President Now at Gallaudet University. (The world’s only University for the Deaf). During that time, Deaf accomplishments in the arts, film, and television brought wider exposure to the Deaf community. By the 1990s American Sign Language became the fastest growing language offered as a second or foreign language.The best way to learn any language, including ASL, is to immerse yourself in the community where the language is being used. In learning ASL, the most fundamental and essential point is to recognize and accept that ASL is NOT English. ASL has its own grammar, structure, and nuances that are designed for the eye, not for the ear, unlike spoken languages. Remember that ASL makes visual sense and exists as the language used by a community of people who do not hear.Also, one word in English can have many separate signs in ASL, depending on the concept. For example, the English word “get” can mean several different things. Match the signs with the different uses of “get”.___ Please get the book…___ Please get him…___ I don’t get it…___ I get tired…___ I got home…Concept continued on next page.___ I’ve got it…to UNDERSTANDto HAVEshoulder tapto ARRIVEto GET-SOMETHINGto BECOMETry not to translate word for word or sign by sign. Try to visualize the concept instead. Don’t worry about not knowing specific signs for the particular English phrase you have in mind; try to communicate by pointing, miming, and using signs you know, rather than fingerspelling the unknown term.Remember; don’t fall into the habit of “talking silently” or whispering while you sign. You will learn how ASL uses the lips as part of its grammar. Using ASL signs, while talking or “mouthing” English is not ASL.When beginning to learn ASL, signers will want to keep their eyes on the hands of the person who is signing. With exposure and practice you will learn to watch the signer’s face/eyes primarily and see their hands simultaneously. ASL is not just signs…it includes specific mouth movements and headshakes and nods. Eye contact lets the person know you are paying attention.Where are the “little” words like ‘is’, ‘to’, and ‘are’?ASL is not English, just as Japanese, Spanish, and Latin are not English. All languages have different ways of putting words together into correct sentences. If you translate an English sentence word for word into any other language, or use ASL signs in English word order, the result is not American Sign Language. The grammar and syntax (the order words are put together) of ASL is different from English. One great example that hearing people always want to know about: ASL does NOT need the “little” words, such as “is”, “am”, “are”, “be”, “to” etc., because these words are essentially included in each sign.Negotiating a Signing EnvironmentIf two signers in conversation are blocking your way, i.e., standing in a doorway or stairwell, you can just walk through the conversation. You should add a slight head bow and the sign for “excuse me” as you go through. Don’t stop and wait for them to acknowledge you or give you permission to go through. Passing through a conversation is not considered rude or inappropriate as long as the disruption is minimal.If people are standing in one or more group conversations, you should go around or between groups, pressing people’s backs or shoulders gently to let them know you need space to get through. Do not tap someone’s shoulder and wait for acknowledgement unless you actually need people to move out of the way (i.e., if you’re carrying a large object into the room).Master ASL!: Things to Know and Unit 1Signing Naturally: Unit 1, 2 & partial CR 1-6If someone unknowingly blocks your view of a conversation, politely ask that person to move aside. Get his/her attention, and then briefly explain the situation. Alternatively, you could ask the signer to move into a better view. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download