American Sign Language
American Sign Language or ASL is a visual language that allows people to communicate without using their vocal cords. ASL is its own language, just like French or English is a language. ASL has its own syntax and grammar rules. ASL is the main language in the deaf community in Canada and the United States. ASL is a beautiful language.
Fun Facts
- Signs in ASL are often used to convey an idea or feeling rather than one word. There will often be English words for each ASL sign.
- Finger spelling is often used to communicate a place or a name.
- different grammatical forms of words are not distinguished from each other. For example, "hungry," "hunger," and "hungrily" are all signed the same.
- Meaning is very dependent on context.
- Not all deaf people use ASL. There are many different types of Sign Language all throughout the world.
- Directions are very important in ASL. A sign can mean one thing going one way and another thing completely going the other way.
Elements of ASL
There are five main elements that make up and distinguish each sign. In English these elements can be compared to how English has letters that make up words, those words are then used to form sentences. Just like letters are essentially building blocks in ASL there are five building building blocks or elements. These elements are hand shape, movement, palm orientation, location, and facial expression.
When it comes to hand movement itself there are three types of signs
When it comes to hand movement itself there are three types of signs
- One handed signs. In this case the person would sign with their dominant hand only.
- Two handed symmetrical signs. In this case the person would use both hands and the hands would move in the exact same pattern.
- Two handed non-symmetrical signs. In this case both hands are use, the dominant hand does the greater amount of movement while the no-dominant hands remains more stationary.It is important to note that a persons non-dominant hand will not move unless the dominant hand is moving the same way.
Signing Space
Signing space is important in ASL. Sign language is a three dimensional language and the signing space a person uses adds to the language. A typical signing space is the area in front of the body from the top of a persons head to their waist and from shoulder to shoulder. Most every day signs are signed in this area. Note that intensity is shown by facial expressions, speed of the sign, and also how big it is signed. Also when a person is signing for a large audience signs should be enlarged and may go outside of the typical signing area. Location also can indicate gender. Most male signs are signed on the top half of the face and female signs are signed on the bottom half of the face.