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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=202-hHdEyeM. Multiple Meanings. Classifiers in ASL. Part 2 of ASL 2 lecture, May 3, 2012. 2011. Iconic signs and Classifier Descriptions. Many non-signers believe signing is “gestures in the air”- no!!!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=202-hHdEyeM Multiple Meanings
Classifiers in ASL Part 2 of ASL 2 lecture, May 3, 2012 2011
Iconic signs and Classifier Descriptions • Many non-signers believe signing is “gestures in the air”- no!!! • There are some elements of ASL that are more iconic than others, and appear “gesture-like”- such as classifiers- but they are a part of the grammar • ASL has a complex grammatical system and has a structure more similar to spoken Chinese than English • One examples is the classifier system
What are classifiers? • Classifiers have no meaning on their own- they must be used in conjunction with their noun • English has very few classifiers- (tons=? Stack=?) example: tons of homework, stacks of paper (and we can avoid using classifiers if we choose to do so) • In spoken Chinese: Flat objects (table, paper, bed) vs. thin objects, etc. • In ASL, we have a similar system • Classifiers show, for example, the shape, description, and number of items • In ASL, classifiers (classifier predicates) are required for certain expressions
Predicates • “The boy is sick.” • Subject Predicate • In ASL: • _______t__ • BOY IX SICK • Verb can lead the predicate • In this case, however, the adjective is the predicate (no verb “to be”) • ASL also has CLASSIFIER predicates • CAR CL (3): “drive up hill” = “The car is driving up the hill.”
Classifier Predicates (classifiers)- a type of verbs (Valli) • Use the 5 parameters (handshape, movement, location, palm orientation, nonmanual signals) • Nonmanuals such as “thin”, “cha”, etc. • Classifier predicates have a location (3-d space) • The location tells where the object is • If the handshape moves, it shows the object’s destination (where it goes)
Classifier Predicates (aka Classifiers): Handshapes that represent a concept (size, shape, function, etc.) Glossed with a CL before the item The handshape is after the : ---example: CL:3 The description in English is in “ “ Example: CL:3 “car rolls over”
Classifier types in ASL: • Entity (semantic classifiers)- items,- types of nouns- CL:1 “person walking fast”, CL:bent-V “row of chairs”, CL:3 “car parks” • Instrumental- tools, such as scalpel, chisel (use your hand or part of body) – CL “play checkers”, CL “light match”, CL “garbage dump out” • Size and Shape Specifiers(descriptive classifiers): • Depth and width • -Perimeter shape, etc. • Locative classifiers- placement, spatial information- CL (5) “leaf floating on the ground”; CL:C, CL:B “place cup on napkin” • Body Part Classifiers -BPCL:F “look at”, BPCL “cross legs”, BPCL: flat C “grin”
Classifier Predicates- Examples: CL:F-small, round- e.g. polkadots, button, thin tube CL:B- flat items-e.g. shelves, door, window CL:1-linear items- eg.sticks, pencils, worm, person walking CL-3- vehicles CL:U-flat and rectangular items-e..g. diving board, tongue depressor, ribbon CL: bent-V - crouching animal, people sitting, etc. CL (5 spread)- e.g. windy, ripples in a lake, etc.
Movement shows: eg. speed (Valli p. 91) Other variations: up hill, two cars passing each other, surface pass person, etc.
Test Question: • Classifiers are— • Signs that are similar to adjectives • Predicate Verbs that have no meaning on their own, but must be used with a noun • Signs that are just gestures • Predicate gestures that have no meaning Classifiers are:
Test Question: Which of the following English expressions use classifiers to sign in ASL? A. A person walking down the street B. A stack of papers C. A barrell D. A scalpel (surgical tool) E. all of the above
Test question: What are SASS (descriptive classifiers)? A. Shape and Smoothness Signs B. Size and Sharpness of Signs C. Signs that are Surrounded by Shape D. Size and Shape Specifiers
The End!