If you are learning sign language online with a partner, practice this conversation together:
A: Do you live at the school?
B: Yes, I live in the dorm.
A: Do you walk to your class every day?
B: No, I take the bus.
A: What time?
B: Around 8 o'clock in the morning.
If you do not have a partner, practice signing with me! In the video below, I will be person A. Pause the video when prompted, and reply as person B.
There are a few different sentence types in ASL. These sentence types are not the same as word order. Word order shows the order in which you can sign your words. Sentence types show how to use word order along with non-manual markers to form certain types of sentences.
Basically, you can use different types of word order with each of these sentence types. The difference between each type has to do with the non-manual markers associated with it.
Questions
There are two types of questions used in ASL--yes/no questions and wh-word questions. The only way to decipher between these two questions in ASL is by the use of non-manual markers. You may have already noticed this in the other units of the sign language online classes.
"Wh" Word Questions (whq)
Wh-word questions are questions that require more than a yes or no answer. These are normally questions that use the words who, what, when, where, why, or how.
Non-Manual Markers:
Lower your eyebrows
Lean your head forward
Make direct eye contact
Hold the last sign in your sentence (usually the wh-word)
Examples:
HE/SHE WHO? ("Who is he/she?")
YOU LEARN SIGN WHERE? ("Where are you learning sign?")
YOUR TEACHER WHO?"("Who is your teacher?")
Yes/No Questions (y/n)
Yes/no questions are questions that only require a simple yes or no answer.
Non-Manual Markers:
Raise your eyebrows
Lean your head forward
Make direct eye contact
Hold the last sign in your sentence
Examples:
1. DEAF YOU? ("Are you Deaf?")
2. STUDENT HE/SHE? ("Is he/she a student?")
3. YOU MARRIED YOU? ("Are you married?")
Question Examples
Watch the video clip below. I will demonstrate each type of question for you.
Practice these different non-manual behaviors in a mirror.
Question Practice 6.1
Turn to page 9 in your workbook. In the video below, I will sign 10 questions. Determine whether the question is a yes/no or wh-word question. Circle the correct answer. The first one has been done for you.
When you're finished, check your answers in the back of the workbook. Go back and review the questions you missed. Make sure you understand the differences in facial expressions for each type of question before moving on in the sign language online class. Then, go back and sign each question for practice.
Declarative Sentences
Declarative sentences are statements. These can be affirmative, negative, or neutral statements and each are recognized by the different non-manual markers that are used.
Affirmative Declarative Sentences
Non-Manual Marker:
Nod your head while signing
Examples:
SHE DEAF SHE ("She is Deaf")
I HUNGRY ("I'm hungry")
I WASH CAR FINISH ("I washed the car")
Negative Declarative Sentences
Non-Manual Marker:
Shake your head while signing
Examples:
ME GO CAN'T ("I can't go")
I HUNGRY ("I'm not hungry")
I WASH CAR NOT-YET FINISH ("I'm not finished washing the car")
Neutral Declarative Sentences
Non-Manual Marker:
Neutral head position (no shaking or nodding)
Examples:
I GO HOME ("I'm going home")
MY SISTER WANT GO STORE ("My sister wants to go to the store")
I EAT FINISH ("I'm done eating")
Statement Examples
Watch the video clip below. I will demonstrate each type of statement for you.
Turn to page 9 in your workbook. In the video below, I will sign 10 questions. Determine whether the sentence is an affirmative, negative, or neutral statement. Circle the correct answer. The first one has been done for you.
When you're finished, check your answers in the back of the workbook. Go back and review the questions you missed. Make sure you understand the differences in facial expressions for each type of statement before moving on in the sign language online class. Then, go back and sign each statement for practice.
Comprehension 6.3
Turn to page 10 in your workbook. I used the video below for the Number Practice in Unit 5. This time, you will be looking at the signs instead of the numbers. I signed 10 phrases. Write down the 2 signs I used in each phrase. The first one has been done for you.
When you're finished, check your answers in the back of the workbook. Go back and review the questions you missed.
Reading Assignment
Learning American Sign Language means nothing if you do not understand where it comes from. I am going to give you a short reading and writing assignment right now.
Go ahead and read either Step 3: Learn About Deaf History in The ASL Student's Essential Guide to Learning ASL and Getting Involved in the Deaf Community or read my short history lesson on the Deaf History page and answer the question at the bottom of the lesson. I know it is an easy question, but please try to write a good answer! I consider 200 words or more to be an answer that you can learn from.
Please do not move on until you read about Deaf History and answer the question! This assignment is an easy way to learn about Deaf History and get you thinking critically about it. I very much look forward to reading your submissions! :) And feel free to leave comments on other students' submissions as well. Educational discussions are a great way to learn. From this assignment, you will gain a better understanding of where American Sign Language comes from and why it is the way it is today.
