Start Learning American Sign Language

ASL 2 - Unit 9

In this unit as you start learning American Sign Language, you will be learning how to sign room descriptions.

Read this outline, and then watch the conversation in action on the video clip. Try to recognize what is being said. Watch the video again until you can follow the conversation without the outline.

A: HEARD FINISH RENOVATE LIVING ROOM FINISH TRUE-TRUE "qmw"?
"I heard that you renovated your living room. Is that true?"

B: YES I REARRANGE LIVING ROOM
"Yes, I rearranged my living room."

A: WOW I REMEMBER FINISH BEAUTIFUL SET-UP BEFORE FIREPLACE CL:B(fireplace)"back wall" FLOWER PATTERN RIGHT WALL COUCH THEN fs-PERSIAN fs-RUG CL:5(rug) HARD fs-OAK COFFEE TABLE CL(2h):C(coffee table) FINISH HAVE. NOW TELL ME RENOVATE WHAT NOW?
"Wow, I remember that it was already beautiful before. You had a fire place against the back wall, a floral patterned couch against the right wall, a Persian rug in the middle of the floor, with an oak coffee table on it. What does it look like now?"

B: NOW FIREPLACE BACK LEFT CORNER COUCH LEFT WALL. WE NEW LIGHT CL:5(lights) CENTER ROOM.
"Now, the fire place is in the back left corner, the couch is on the left wall, and we have a new chandelier hanging in the center of the room."

A: BEAUTIFUL.
"Beautiful."

Conversation Explained

A: HEARD FINISH RENOVATE LIVING ROOM FINISH TRUE-TRUE "qmw"?
"I heard that you renovated your living room. Is that true?"

In this conversation, the "qmw" refers to what is called a "question mark wiggle". A "question mark wiggle" is sometimes used to add doubt or incredulousness to a question. You would sign a question mark wiggle with a question like, "You really think she'll win that race?" and use a yes/no question facial expression.

A good way to practice giving directions and using classifiers is to describe where things are in your house.

In order to do this, you will be using classifiers and pointing/indexing. You will also be showing the location of objects in relation to other objects. This may take a little while to get used to, but you will learn how to visualize what you are discussing and use your signing space and both hands to describe objects and show where they are located. The goal is to paint a picture for the person you are talking to--so they are able to visualize what you are discussing.

To describe the layout of objects in a room, you need to:

• Identify the room you are going to discuss (i.e. bedroom)
• Describe the room as if you are standing in the doorway
• Describe the shape of the room (if it is necessary for your description)
• Identify and describe the furniture/features of the room and where they are located, starting with either the most prominent feature or piece of furniture (i.e. bed) or in a logical sequence (i.e. right to left or left to right)

You can describe the shape of a room, the color of walls, the angle of ceilings, furniture, windows, artwork, lights, objects on tables, rugs, etc. You can go into as much detail as necessary for what you are discussing.

Turn to page 11 in your workbook. In the video below, Darcy will describe the room in the picture in your workbook. For each number, write the letter of the object described, the object that was described, and what classifier handshape was used.

Notice the order in which the objects were signed and the classifiers Darcy used to show their locations. Go back and sign this video along with Darcy for practice.

Move on to Unit 10

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