Unit 1

1. Unit 1 Grammar and Culture notes

2. Strategies for Learning ASL • Build a Language Community • Attend class regularly • Participate in Activities • Minimize reliance on English • Immerse yourself in ASL. Don’t voice during class • Focus on meaning rather than individual signs • Don’t get caught up on understanding each individual sign. Look for the meaning in the message being signed • Focus on signer’s face, not on the hands • Grammar in ASL is shown on the face • It’s considered rude to look away while someone is signing to you. • Show you understand the signer • Actively listen to the signer • Nod to show you are understanding.

3. Making Connections Exchange information to determine your connection to the Deaf community Information Commonly Shared

4. Information Commonly Shared • Hearing people • First and Last name • Deaf or Hearing • ASL Teacher’s name /School name • Deaf People • Where grew up • Deaf School • Gallaudet • People you might know in common

5. Strengthen Connection Participating in Activities Sports Leagues Club Conferences Social events Deaf network

6. Andrew Foster Improved lives of deaf people all over the world through education Founded over 300 schools in Africa

7. WH word questions • 3 Non Manual Behaviors for Wh question • Lower Eyebrows • Lean forward • Hold last sign

8. Ways of communicating with others Signing Gestures Writing / Typing Third Person (Interpreter) Lipreading and Speech Regardless of the strategy, the goal is to communicate

9. Things to remember to do Let the Deaf person know you can sign Avoid using voice with signing Let the Deaf person set the communication mode.

10. Identify a Person State the persons gender. Raise your eyebrows Give a brief description Point to the person Wait for the other person to confirm

11. Getting Others Attention Waving Tapping Using an intermediary