INT - Introduction to American Sign Language (Lesson)

Sign Language Spectrum/Sign Language Continuum

All signed "languages" are not created equal. In fact, most of them are not even languages, they are codes.  In America, signed codes exist on a grammatical spectrum. American Sign Language is a complete, natural, and grammatically distinctive language. The similarities between pure ASL and spoken/written English are very limited. In practice, other modes of manual communication are implemented mostly to bridge grammatical skills for Deaf English language learners.

Collectively, the manufactured "languages" are known as Manually Coded English (MCE). MCE systems are not distinct languages. MCE systems borrow (and sometimes modify) ASL signs, but use English sentence structure.

Seeing Essential English (SEE1) - A separate sign for each "word root" (Either words or syllables) - Originally created to help teach deaf students English. Example: Butterfly is made of 2 signs - BUTTER + FLY and Carpet is made from CAR + PET

Signing Exact English (SEE2) - If a single word has multiple meanings, the sign chosen is based on the  2/3 rule.  Does it look the same? Does it sound the same? Does it mean the same?- If the word meets 2 of the 3 criteria, it will be signed the same way in all contexts regardless of its conceptual meaning. 

Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE) - Uses conceptually accurate signs, but in English word order. 

Rochester Method - Every word is fingerspelled.

Contact Sign or Pidgin Sign English (PSE) - A natural blending of ASL and English. 

Out in the community, signers will undoubtedly encounter instances of these languages being used either exclusively or in combination with ASL. It is a good idea to become aware of some of these commonly used language conventions.Sign Language Spectrum American Sign Language (ASL) Visual gestural language, the language of deaf culture. Contact Signing (more ASL) Contact Signing (Formerly Pidgin Signed English) - a variety or style of language that arises from contact between deaf individuals using a sign language and hearing individuals using a manually coded form of the language. Conceptually Signed English (CASE) - Combines ASL signs and concepts in a Manual Coded English Form. Signing Exact English (SEE2) - If a single word has multiple meanings, the sign chosen is based on the 2/3 rule. Does it look the same? Does it sound the same? Does it mean the same? If the word meets 2 of the 3 criteria, it will be signed the same way in all contexts regardless of its conceptual meaning. Seeing Essential English (SEE1) - A separate sign for each "word root" (Either words or syllables) - Originally created to help teach deaf students English. Rochester Method - Every word is fingerspelled. Spoken English - Oral Aural language. Used by mainstream American culture.

Note: This course is a language course and will focus on the grammatical and lexical features of ASL. Please avoid using any form of Manually Coded English during this course.

Sign Language Variations

Just as there are variations in Spoken English, there are variations in ASL. Variations can be because of race, gender, age, or geographical region. 

 This course will introduce you to the more common ASL signs.  We may indicate where there are multiple acceptable variations.  When presented with multiple options, you may choose to use the one you prefer, but you will need to be able to understand all of the variations. 

Prescriptive Grammar vs Descriptive Grammar

Prescriptive grammar describes how a language should or ought to be used. Descriptive grammar, on the other hand, focuses on describing the language as it is used, not saying how it should be used.  In your English class, you are taught how to compose grammatically correct sentences and essays, however when you are among your peers, you don't follow the same rules for language.  ASL is very much the same.  There is a way that this should be produced and then the way that it commonly is produced.  

This course will provide instruction following prescriptive grammar, but out "in the real world" you may see the use of language that doesn't conform to the rules of pure ASL.  Please note that you are not being taught "wrong" information, but rather a more academic approach to the language.  Some of the signers you will see in this class will not adhere to prescriptive ASL grammar. 

Initialized Signs

In ASL, an initialized sign is when an existing sign is combined with a manual alphabet letter that corresponds to the first letter of an English word. A group of related initialized signs use the same movement but with different letter hand shapes to specify their meaning.  While initialized signs are used in ASL, they are infrequent and are often an indication of Signed English sign. 

If you have prior exposure to initialized signs, you will be asked to conform to a more pure version of ASL.  

Iconic vs. Arbitrary Signs

An iconic sign is one whose form resembles its meaning, whereas an arbitrary sign maintains the association between form and meaning solely by convention. 

Iconic signs are signs that look like the word they are representing and are easily identifiable by non-ASL users.  Arbitrary signs, on the other hand, are just the opposite.  They maintains the association between form and meaning solely by convention. There is nothing in the form of the sign that resembles aspects of its meaning.

Iconic: Photo showing a woman signing phone and tree

Arbitrary: Woman signing Vacation and Have

 

In ASL, not all signs reflect real life. There may not be a reason for the sign.

Gloss

ASL is a visual language and there is no written form.  Over the years, a pseudo-written form has been developed by ASL teachers and researchers to translate ASL signs into a basic written form.  This system is known as glossing. 

Some of the more common glossing conventions are as follows: 

  1. Each sign has one gloss, and the gloss is always written in capital letters. Ex:  HAVE
  2. When more than one English word is needed to gloss an ASL sign, the English words are separated by a hyphen.  Ex: GIVE-ME
  3. Regular fingerspelled words use capitalized letters separated by hyphens. Ex: J-O-H-N
  4. Lexicalized fingerspelled words are marked with a hashtag. Ex:  #BUS
  5. When a plus sign follows a gloss, it indicates that a sign is repeated.  Additional plus signs are added to indicate additional repetition.  TREE+++

Being able to gloss in ASL is not a requirement for learning the language, but you may see it used in this class, so a familiarity with it is beneficial. 

 

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