Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Based on Master ASL, J. Zinza
© 2011 Natasha Escalada-Westland
Describing People: Lessons
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Describing People: Goals
• To describe people’s physical appearances
• To describe personality traits and characteristics
• To improve ASL narrative skills• To learn about Deaf-Blind communication• To discuss health issues• To describe the natural world and
environmentBased on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Describing Physical Characteristics, p. 294
In general, Follow this sequence: 1. Gender
2. Ethnicity / background (optional)
3. Height
4. Body type
5. Eyes, hair and other details such as clothing
But remember; a strongly identifying trait will often be enough for a brief description.
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Describing Physical Characteristics, p. 294
There are cultural (and personal) differences in what Deaf people and hearing people view as polite.Hearing:
Deaf:
“He’s a big African-American guy.”
“He’s fluffy.”
This sentence is not considered rude unless you exaggerate or pair it with a negative or disgusted look on your face.
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
To be chubby, fat, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
To be thin, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Body
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
To be in good shape (average,medium), p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Hair, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
To be well built, muscular, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
To be bald, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Look likep. 295
strongly resemble
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Face, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Freckles, acne (add red for acne), p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Gut, belly, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
To lose weight, slim down, p. 295
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Pregnant, p. 295
Showing pregnancy
Concieve, not showing pregnancy
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
When describing people:
• Point toward these body parts – eyes, ears, nose
• Short and tall share the same signs as child and adult
• Fingerspell DA for disabled and HC for handicapped
• First sign hair, then add the color
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Signing about Ethnicity or Skin Color
Be respectful! Don’t exaggerate or
use unflattering facial expressions
Remember: One sign may carry several concepts –
Hispanic/Latino/MexicanBlack/African American
White/CaucasianIndian/Native American
Hearing (often feel):Detailed description of race or body type may be considered impolite.
Deaf (often feel):
Detailed description of race or body type is matter of fact; a description of what the eyes see.
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Skin, Ethnicity, p. 297
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Asian
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Black, African, African-American, p. 297
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
From India, East Indian, p.297
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
American Indian, Native-American, p. 297
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Latino/a, Hispanic, Mexican, p. 297
LSM sign for “Mexico”
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Arab (Middle Eastern), p. 297
Saudi sign for “Arab”
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
White, Caucasian, p. 297
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Half, p. 297
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
To Mix, mixed race, p. 297
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Regions of the World
Touch Finish? Have you been?
Unit 8
What areas of the world have you been to?
Unit 8Unit 8
Asking about backgroundI was
wondering (curious)
where you’re from?
What race or ethnicity are your parents (or family)?
Unit 8
Unit 8List 1, pg. 1
Unit 8List 1, pg. 2
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Describe each person to a partner following correct the ASL sequence.
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Describe each illustration using the correct sequence.
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Match the English words or phrases to the best signed concept.
1. Drop a few pounds
2. Skinny
3. Pot belly
4. Muffin top
5. Acne
6. Obese
7. Balding
8. Get in shape
9. Plump
10.Buff
11.Spare tire
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Resemblances – Using the signs look like and look strong, describe each pair below. Use complete
sentences to describe similarities and differences.
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Each picture gives information about a person’s background and ethnicity. Explain using a
complete sentence.
YOU?
Unit 8Unit 8
Describe the people below using a complete sentence
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
Translate each sentence into an ASL sentence. Use alternative signs for ethnicity. Use the sign
bank on the right.
Unit 8
1. I am African American.
2.They are from Asia.
3.We are Asian Americans.
4.She is Mexican American.
5. I am Native American and Black.
6.He is half White, half Middle
Eastern.
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Describing Ethnicity & PlacesDescribe the ethnicity of your family or friends.
Create a dialogue with a partner comparing and contrasting backgrounds and ethnicities of yourself or your friends. How do you identify yourself? Where is your family from? Where have you been in the world? Your dialogue should include the following:
1. Greetings2. Discussion of ethnicity/background & places
described above. (3 sentences each)3. A farewell
Rubric for Ethnicity Dialogue: rate your dialogue: 4=great, 1=poor
1. Length –
2. Target Vocabulary –
3. NMS
4. Fluency
1. 4 sentences each
2. “curious” or “ethnicity”
3. Questions, negation, other
4. Signed smoothly or with hesitancy/mistakes
Unit 8Unit 8
Handicapped or Disabled?Consider the following:
• Disability = not-able• Handicap = anything that makes success more difficult• If being “normal” means succeeding in a career or school,
starting and raising a family, and actively participating in one’s community, then what does it mean when a Deaf person achieves those goals? What about somone who does not have a disability and doesn’t achieve certain life goals?
• The word “handicapped” describes a person who is unable to function owing to some property of the environment. Therefore, someone requiring a wheelchair may or may not be handicapped, depending on whether ramps are available. Using this criteria, who else could be considered handicapped?
• Do you find the labels Handicapped and Disabled accurate or useful when describing Deaf people? Why or why not?
Unit 8Unit 8
Deaf Native Americans, p. 299For hundreds of years Native Americans, particularly the Plains
Indians, have used sign language to communicate. It is certain that American Sign Language borrowed signs from this sign language, similar to the way English speakers borrow words from other languages. The Deaf native American community is proud of their rich legacy of sign languages. The Intertribal Deaf council works hard on behalf of Deaf Native Americans to preserve their unique heritage and promote awareness of their valuable contributions to the Deaf World. To learn more visit –
http://www.deafnative.com/home.htmhttp://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=tommyfoley&p=rhttp://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/native_american_sign_language.htm
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
Hair
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
Hairstyles p. 301
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
Hairstylesp. 301
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 7
To brush one’s hair
p. 259
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 7
To comb one’s hair, p.259
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 7
To blow dry one’s hair
p. 259
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
To Braid
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 7
To shave (2 variations)
p. 259
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
Hairstyles Practice Page
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
Using Classifiers to DescribeWhat CL handshape would you use to sign the concepts below?
• A Line of people• Rope• A crew/buzz cut• Cornrows• Pigtails• A little bit of water• A stray hair • A soul patch
Unit 8
Classifier Handshapes
Unit 8Unit 8
A Good Hair Day, MASL p. 303Watch the DVD and answer the following questions.
1. What do you think these 3 signs mean? Why?
2. Why does Kelly think working there could be fun?
3. What does Kelly think she can do while working?
4. What are some reasons you think would change Kelly’s mind?
5. What do you think about Kelly’s idea?Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
What I Look Like, MASL p. 303Watch the DVD and answer the following questions.
1. What is Kelly’s ethnicity?2. Is Kelly tall or short?3. Is she wearing sandals?4. How does Kelly wear her hair?5. What 3 words does Kelly fingerspell?
Unit 8
Unit 8Unit 8
Personality & Character
Unit 8Unit 8
Afraid
Unit 8Unit 8
Broken-hearted, grieving (grief)
Unit 8Unit 8
Embarrassed
Unit 8Unit 8
Emotional
Unit 8Unit 8
Frustrated
Once: “I’m frustrated!”
Ongoing:
“I have been frustrated for awhile (over and over)!”
Unit 8Unit 8
Motormouth, talkative
Unit 8Unit 8
Nervous, anxious, jumpy
Unit 8Unit 8
Nosy, In other people’s business
Unit 8Unit 8
Personality
Unit 8Unit 8
Polite, formal
Unit 8Unit 8
Rude, disrespectful
Unit 8Unit 8
Strong, (confident, courageous,)
Unit 8Unit 8
Weak, puny
Unit 8Unit 8
Worry
Unit 8Unit 8
to Tend to (do something)
Unit 8Unit 8
“Deaf tend their…”Culturally Deaf people tend to do these things…
Something Deaf people do…
Unit 8 List 2
Unit 8Unit 8
Signing TraitsComplete the following sentences using the suggested
vocabulary. Don’t forget to close your sentence.Suggested Vocabulary
I don’t mind… I always… Sometimes I…
I never…In the past, I…
I don’t like…
afraid nervous frustrated
talkative heartbroken polite
nosy embarrassed rude
Unit 8Unit 8
S/he tends to…Complete the above sentence with each concept below. Include the
correct facial expression. Close your sentence.
1. Shy2. Emotional3. Nosy4. Worry5. Embarrassed6. Frustrated7. Nervous8. Broken-hearted9. Motor-mouth
Unit 8Unit 8
Which community exhibits the following traits and beliefs?
Deaf people tend to… Hearing people tend to…
1. Breaking eye contact is rude
2. It takes a long time to say good-bye
3. Don’t like facial expressions
4. Love to get together and chat
5. Love music
6. Stop to chat when someone says “How are you?”
7. Often hug and shake hands when saying hello or good-bye
8. Believe nosiness is bad
9. Believe nosiness is good
10. Always stop to say “Hello” and “How are you?”
Unit 8
Personality Quiz – MASL red book, p. 309
Unit 8
Unit 8
Good & Bad TraitsMake a list with a partner outlining personality
traits you like and dislike in a friend. Then describe your ideal friend in complete ASL
sentences.
• Positive Traits • Negative Traits
Unit 8
Unit 8
Match the signs to their opposites1
2
3
48
5
6
7
9
10
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
Unit 8
Unit 8
1
2
3
48
5
6
7
9
10
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
Answers: 1c, 2d, 3b, 4j, 5i, 6f, 7h, 8g, 9e, 10aUnit 8
Unit 8
My Friend Tara - MASL p. 310Respond to the following in complete sentences:
1. List 3 of Tara’s personality traits:a. _____________b. _____________c. _____________
2. What is one of Tara’s pet peeves?3. What does Tara enjoy doing?4. Which sports does Tara play?5. Sean & Tara are good friends despite
what?
Big-head, know-it-all, arrogant
Unit 8
Unit 8
Health
Unit 8
Unit 8
Alright, okay
Unit 8
Unit 8
Allergies, to be Allergic
Unit 8
Unit 8
to be Better
Unit 8
Unit 8
Chicken pox
Unit 8
Unit 8
have a Cold, Sniffles
Unit 8
Unit 8
to Cough
Unit 8
Unit 8
Doctor
Unit 8
Unit 8
Feel
Unit 8
Unit 8
Fever
Variation 2
Unit 8
Unit 8
Heal, Get better
Unit 8
Unit 8
Medicine
Unit 8
Unit 8
Nauseated, sick to one’s stomach
Unit 8
Unit 8
Sneeze
Variation 2
Unit 8
Unit 8
Sore throat
Unit 8
Unit 8
to Sprain
Unit 8
Unit 8
Remove tonsils
Unit 8
Unit 8
to Vomit
Unit 8
Unit 8
To catch or have (an illness), get (sick)
POW!
Unit 8
Version 1
Version 2
Unit 8
Response to a sneeze
Variation 2
Unit 8
Unit 8
to Hurt, pain:this sign moves location depending on where the pain is
headache
Variation 2
Stomach ache
Unit 8
Unit 8
Blood, to Bleed this sign moves location depending on where the blood is
Bloody nose
Bloody arm
Unit 8
Unit 8 List 3
Unit 8
“POW!”Use the “POW!” sign to sign each phrase in ASL.
1. I got sick.2. Out of the blue I didn’t feel so good.3. My allergies started acting up
yesterday.4. He has the chicken pox.5. I just started coughing.
Unit 8
Unit 8
How do they feel? Tell a partner using a full sentence in ASL.
12
3
4
5
Unit 8
Unit 8
What should they do?Use the pictures and tell a partner what’s wrong, and if the person(?) needs to see a doctor, stay home and rest, or
take medicine.1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
Unit 8
Unit 8
Description Dialogue RubricNames: 2 3 4 5
-3Physical descriptions & ethnicity
-Correct order of descriptions
-3 Regions of the world
3 or more elements missing
2 elements missing 1 element missing All elements present
Non Manual Signals Few or no NMS Some correct NMS Many correct NMS NMS present throughout with correct timing
Sign Production (HOLM)
3 or more incorrect signs
2 incorrect signs 1 incorrect sign All signs produced correctly
Fluency / Smoothness of signing
Very halting, many unnatural pauses
Somewhat halting, several unnatural pauses
Mostly smooth, little hesitancy
No hesitancy, very smooth
Unit 8
The Natural World
Unit 8
Unit 8
Earth, geography
Unit 8
Unit 8
Dirt, sand, soil
Unit 8
Grass
Unit 8
Desert
Unit 8
Unit 8
Flower
Unit 8
Unit 8
Hill
Unit 8
Unit 8
Island
Unit 8
Unit 8
Lake
Unit 8
Moon
Unit 8
Mountain
Unit 8
Plant
Unit 8
River
Unit 8
Stars
Unit 8
Sun
Variation 2
Unit 8
Tree
Unit 8
CactusClassifier for saguaro:
When describing a tall, many-branched saguaro cactus, use the handshape below, after signing cactus.
Unit 8 List 4
Unit 8
Describe the scene below in as much detail as you can.
Unit 8
Describe the scene below in as much detail as you can.
Unit 8
Describe the scene below in as much detail as you can.
Unit 8
Describe the scene below in as much detail as you can.
Unit 8
Describe the scene below in as much detail as you can.
Jason Zinza, 2007
Unit 8
Respond to the following questions based on the sentence below
Recently, when hiking in the mountains, I saw a beautiful valley with a lake and forest of red and gold leaves.
1. What is the relationship between hill and valley? What kind of a sign is this?
2. How does an additional movement change tree into forest or many trees?
3. Why do gold and California share the same sign?
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Unit 8, Describing People - Goals Review
• Can you:– Describe people’s physical appearances?
– Describe personality traits and characteristics?
– Use descriptions in 5-sentence long narratives?
– Explain how the Deaf-Blind communicate?
– Discuss health issues?
– Describe the natural world and environment?
Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Unit 8, Describing People - Review
• Watch MASL DVD U8: “My Grandfather” and answer these questions1. What tribe does Sean’s grandfather belong to?
2. What is Sean’s ethnic background?
3. What does Sean’s grandfather look like?
4. How did he lose weight?
5. What are three characteristics of Sean’s grandfather’s personality?
6. What is his grandfather always doing?
Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza
Unit 8Unit 8Unit 8
Unit 8, Describing People - Review
• Using the MASL red book, do the Unit 8 review activities: – p. 320-321, B-F– p. 322-323, A & B
Based on Master ASL Level One by Jason Zinza
Top Related