ASL ASL GLOSSGLOSSA labeling system for

American Sign Language

American Sign Language• Is a visual, gestural, spatial language.

• Is a “non-recordednon-recorded” language that cannot be written like standard spoken languages.

• Is the natural language used by Deaf people in North America.

• Is a rich and unique language and is very different from is very different from EnglishEnglish..

Is notnot ASL in written formwritten form..

Is not not a languagelanguage at all.

Is not not a way of making ASL a written language.written language.

ASL Gloss

ASL gloss is VERYVERY limitedlimited.

The “ILYILY” sign (because it uses the three

letters II, LL, and YY)

Can mean four different things depending on its movement:

1. “1. “I love youI love you” 2. ” 2. AIRPLANEAIRPLANE3. 3. TO-FLYTO-FLY 4. 4. AIRPORTAIRPORT

ASL Gloss

Is intended to be used as a TOOL. TOOL.

This tool is used to practice ASL Sentences.

These transcriptions are NOTNOT

English or ASL, but labels to be

used to help learn ASL.

ASL Gloss

The sign:

Could be represented by the symbol:

Meaning students would need to learn a whole new code for their new language.

Instead many ASL instructors have chosen to use capitalized English words to represent signs. GAS

ASL Gloss

Note that the use of the English word, GAS, in capitalized letters is only a SYMBOLSYMBOL a label referring to the sign.

GAS =

ASL Gloss

The sign GAS GAS is typically used for automobile or fuel gas.

The LOAN SIGN #GAS#GAS (fingerspelled) is used for Natural Gas (stoves or heaters).

vs.

ASL Gloss

Signs

The The glossgloss for the sign in this picture: for the sign in this picture: GASGAS (for a car, lawn mower)

The The glossgloss for the sign in this for the sign in this picture: picture: DON’T-KNOWDON’T-KNOW

It is hyphenated because it is a single ASL concept that requires TWOTWO English words to correctly describe it.

are represented by English words in capital letters “called GLOSS”.

GLOSSGLOSS

1. A capitalized word represents a single American Sign Language sign.

Example:2. Several capitalized words joined

together by hyphens represent a single American Sign Language Sign.

Example: 3. Letters joined together by

hyphens represent a fingerspelled word or abbreviation.

Example:

DEAF

PUT-DOWNDON’T-UNDERSTAND

P-H-I-L-L-I-PA-N-N-E

GOOD

4. A capitalized word preceded by the symbol, #, represents a lexicalized sign (loan sign).

Example: (Dog, Yes, No)

There are also grammar markers used:There are also grammar markers used: 5. Letters after ASL Gloss phrases

indicatewhat Non-Manual grammar is to be

used.(examples on next slide)

#DOG

#NO#YES

GLOSSGLOSS

SHE TEACHER SHE y/n q=

YOUR NAME WHAT wh q =

ME DEAF ME neg=

ME STUDENT ME =

J-O-H-N(t), HE TALL HE. =

GLOSS

Yes/No Question Eyebrows up

WH Question Eyebrows down

NegativeStatement Headshake

Eyebrows upTopic Marker

Declarative/Positive Statement

Head Nod

GLOSS

More Examples:

English sentence- What is your name? ASL Gloss- YOUR NAME WHAT? wh q

English sentence- Are you deaf? ASL Gloss- YOU DEAF YOU? y/n q

English sentence- I don’t know your name. ASL Gloss- YOUR NAME(t) I DON’T KNOW

English sentence- I like apples. ASL Gloss- APPLES(t) I LIKE

GLOSS

Things to remember:

•ASL Gloss is always in CAPITALS•ASL Gloss/word order always puts questions at the END of the phrase (For example the English sentence; What is your name? The ASL sentence; YOUR NAME WHAT? wh q•ASL Gloss uses Topic Comment word order (Ask yourself what is the sentence about, for example in the English sentence; I like apples. The ASL sentence; APPLES(t) I LIKE)•If it’s a wh question don’t forget to add the non-manual marker ‘wh q’ at the end of the sentence which represents we need to have our eyebrows down for facial expressions.•If it’s a yes/no question don’t forget to add the non-manual marker ‘y/n q’ at the end of the sentence which represents we need to have our eyebrows up for facial expressions.•When using Topic Comment word order don’t forget to add the (t) after the topic for the non-manual marker to represent we raise our eyebrows for the topic.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Practice English to ASL Gloss sentences:Practice English to ASL Gloss sentences:

Are you hearing?He is nice.She is tired.Is she a student?You are deaf.Where is your teacher?I am happy.Yes, I am a student.He is sad.Who is your mother?