ASL Grammar Basic but Supersized

1. ASL Grammar Basic but Supersized

2. Before we Begin • ASL always gets rid of the stuff we don’t need: and, it, etc.

3. Topic • Subject/Object is also known in ASL at the Topic • This comes first in the sentence and if there are two, decide which is most important to you in regards to getting your message across • Think of a picture, which topic/subject/object pops out at you

4. Drawing a Picture Step 1 • First: you draw the most important thing/object/subject, which is often the noun in a sentence. • For example a Topic – Dog

5. Comment/Relevant information • After the topic/subject/object you add the relevant information about it • Relevant information is known as the comment • Comment/Relevant information can be: • Size • Color • Collar • Tail

6. Drawing a picture step 2 • Top/Sub/Object – Dog • Comment Relevant Information – Big Black

7. Environment • Next you set up the environment • You must set it up realistically to match your topic and the action that comes later

8. Drawing a picture Step 3 • Topic/Subject/Object – Dog • Comment/Relevant Information – Black Big • Environment – Grass Outside

9. Action • Action is also known as the Verb • This comes after everything is set up • Introduce the topic, describe the topic, and then indicate what the top/sub/obj is doing

10. Drawing a picture Step 4 • Top/Sub/Obj – Dog • Comment/relevant information – Black Big • Environment – Grass Outside • Action – Me See (the sign SEE coming from the SIGNER towards the signer’s dominant side means they are talking about someone, not something) Play

11. Time indicators or Tense Markers • Past – Always goes at the beginning • Future – Can go at the beginning or after the subject object but before the action • Present – Is not necessary, because we live in the present. If you want to put the word Today in the front of a sentence you can to make sure there is no confusion. • EX: Today school me go not

12. Time indicators Cont. • If you have the actual time not just a tense marker you must always put it first. • Noon today dog black big grass outside me see play.

13. Drawing a picture Step 4 • Time Indicator - Yesterday • Top/Sub/Obj – Dog • Comment/relevant information – Black Big • Environment – Grass Outside • Action – Me See Play

14. Negation • In English we say Don’t understand • ASL the action comes first and then we negate it • Understand Not

15. Drawing a Picture Step 5 • Time Indicator - Yesterday • Top/Sub/Obj – Dog • Comment/relevant information – Black Big • Environment – Grass Outside • Action – Me See Play • Negation - Not

16. NOTE!!!! • Everyone has a different perspective and a different interpretation. • Just follow the format and you should be fine in ASL. • Just as with English, messages are conveyed differently.

17. Practice • Take out a piece of paper • Write your name, the hour, and the date • I am going to show you several numbered English Sentences. I want you to number them and write them down in ASL Gloss • Use the Rules I just mentioned. • I will be collecting these and I will be grading them. • Try your best

18. Ready, Set, Go • The little girl and boy go to school every weekend. • Later today our team goes out to eat and drink. • The girl is coming to my house tonight to eat chicken. • The people here didn’t understand the lesson.

19. Continued • There is no communication in my family. • The performance concluded at 7:30 pm. • I am studying for final exams next week.