Introduction to American Sign Language

1. Introduction to American Sign Language Presenter: Jeanette Frazier

2. Jeanette Frazier • How ASL found me • Started learning when I was 5 • Took classes in High school • Formally studied the language at Seattle Central Community • 2001 to 2004 • How I have used my skills • Early as a young adult teaching my father • Later as a Para-Educator in both middle school & high schools • Now as a presenter and instructor

3. History of ASL • Sign Language • Introduced to the United States in the early 1800’s • A French based language • First teacher Laurent Clerc • First Deaf student Alice Cogswell • Education of the Deaf • ASL banned from education in the late 1800’s • Oralism • The Rodchester Method • Sign Exact English • American Sign Language

4. History of ASL • American Sign Language Finally Recognized in 1960 • Elements of a Language • Culture • History • Structure • Grammar • Written • ASL VS SEE VS Pidgin • ASL – American Sign Language • Drops the fluff • Limited use of initialized signs • SEE- Signed Exact English • Signs all words • Lost of initialized signs • Pidgin- a blend of ASL & SEE

5. Fun Facts: True or False • Deafness was once thought to be a mental illness • Deaf people prefer to be referred to as Hearing Impaired • The phone was invented to help the Deaf hear • The Cochlear Implant is an accepted part of the Deaf community • Deaf people at one time were not allowed to marry or have children • The football huddle was introduced by an all Deaf team in the 1890’s • All Deaf people can not hear • To be Deaf and dumb referred to a Deaf persons intelligence • Dumb was a term to describe a Deaf person

6. Working with numbers in ASL • Numbers 1 to 10 • Little finger = Little number • Bigger finger = Big number • Number “3” is the most important to remember • 11to 20 • Shake it • 20 to 30 • “L”? • 30 to 99 • Little number down, Big number up • Big number up, Little number down

7. Tips to help with finger spelling activity • Take your time • Speed will come with practice. • Check in with your audience • Confirm before continuing • Example • Do not confirm if you did not get the word • Etiquette • Bouncing hands • Start from YOUR left & move right • Pause between words when spelling • Raise you eyebrows to let them know some new information is coming

8. Tips to help with finger spelling activity • Use context of the conversation (activity) • Anticipate the letters based on context • Example • No one is perfect • Mistakes will happen • Wave your hand to start over • It does not have to look like the picture • It does not have to match how others sign it

9. Finger Spelling • Make groups of 5 • Form a circle so that all members can see one another. • For the first half of the activity there will be no voices. • Using the ASL alphabet introduce yourself to the group. • Formal introduction • “Hello my name is”... • Each person repeats what they have seen using ASL alphabet. • Once each person member of your group has introduced themselves • Confirm your understanding with your voice We will regroup in 15 minutes

10. ASL Alphabet

11. BREAK TIME! Please return in10 minutes

12. Finger Spelling quiz • Tips for this quiz- • Use what you know about the “topic.” • Do not panic • Give your best answer Using a piece of paper write down what you see me spell. The first set of 5 words will be “Things related to riding the bus.” The second set of 5 words will be “TV shows.” Do not worry about right or wrong we will check our answers as a group.

13. Vocabulary tips • Use context • Most signs are what things look like • Some come from their meaning • Others were once a word that was spelled • Gestures • Pointing is acceptable • Don't be afraid to get your point across • Use your face or body to show what it looks(ed) like.

14. Vocabulary Tips: ASL Grammar • Sentence structure • Drop the fluff • True ASL drops to-be Verbs • Order • Time, place, topic, comment • Noun's in ASL • Are typically signed twice • Verb's in ASL • Are typically signed once • Repetitive signs • Can mean • Many, very, a lot… • Tense in a conversation • ASL is always assumed in the present • Watch the signers body • Shoulder tipped back or to the side • You are the time line • Closer or further away from the body • Facial expressions • Place emphasis on things • Happy VS. Really Happy • Question VS. Rhetorical question • If your face does not move you may be • Misunderstood • Monotone, boring

15. Building Vocabulary: Activity 2 Step 1 • Group A • Meet with Jeanette as we go over the first 15 of 30class vocabulary. • Group B • Please exit the classroom and practice your finger spelling in the hallway • Partner up and introduce your self to someone new. I will take 10 minutes to teach and review we will then switch. Group B will work on introducing them selves to someone new outside of the room.

16. Vocabulary for Group A • 1. Bus • 2. Walk • 3. Wait • 4. Read/ Look VS See • 5. Need • 6. Safe • 7. Communicate • 8. Help

17. Building Vocabulary: Activity 2 Step 2 • Group B • Meet with Jeanette as we go over vocabulary 15 to 30. • Group A • Please exit the classroom and practice your finger spelling in the hallway • Partner up and introduce your self to someone new. I will take 10 minutes with group B to teach and review. Group A will work on introducing themselves to someone new outside of the room.

18. Vocabulary for Group B • 16. Take up (take the bus) • 17. What • 18. Arrive • 19. Which • 20. Ticket • 21. Hungry • 22. Bus Diver

19. Building Vocabulary: Activity 2 Step 3 • Find a partner from the opposite group you were in. • For the next 30 minutes you will teach your partner the words you learned in your group. I will be circling the room and can help as needed if you forget a sign.

20. Vocabulary list 1 to 30 • 1. Bus • 2. Walk • 3. Wait • 4. Read/ Look VS See • 5. Need • 6. Safe • 7. Communicate • 8. Help • 9. Where • 10. Zone AKA Place • 11. When • 12. Stop • 13. Schedule • 14. Time • 15. How • 16. Take up (take the bus) • 17. What • 18. Arrive • 19. Which • 20. Ticket • 21. Hungry • 22. Bus Diver • 23. Water • 24. Help • 25. Pay • 26. Front/ Back • 27. Show • 28. Stay/ Go (ASL Gloss “GO-To”) • 29. First/ Last • 30. Will/ In the past

21. Telephone game • Divide the class into 2 groups • Each group forms a straight line • All members of the group will face looking to the back of the room To the start the game… • I will tap the shoulder of the person in the front of each line. • I will sign three words from our vocabulary we learned in class. • The signs will only be given once (WATCH CLOSLEY). • Once you have seen all three signs turn and tap the next person in line and give them the signs you were shown. • You can only sign the signs once! • The last person in line raises their hand when they get the message and we will then compare the answer.

22. Thank you • Tips for practice • Sign license plates, students names, family members names… • Sign with your co-workers • Watch yourself sign in the mirror • Teach a family member so you can practice together • Great website for a visual dictionary: • WWW.ASLPRO.COM • Movies to explore Deaf Culture: • Children of a Lesser God • Mr. Holland's Opus • Contact information: • E-mail: j.frazierasl@gmail.com