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American Sign Language and ASL Linguistics
LING 200University of Washington
February 6, 2009Lance Forshay, Presenter
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But you may download and keep for your own personal notes.
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Agenda
Nature of ASL and relevant questions.American Deaf CultureBrief
History of Sign LanguagesASL and Deaf Studies at UW.ASL phonetics
and phonology
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Presenter
Lance A. Forshay, M.S. [email protected] Lecturer and
Program Coordinator
Department of LinguisticsUniversity of Washington, Seattle.
President of Washington ASL Teacher Association.(National) ASL
Teacher Association member.Washington State Association of the Deaf
MemberDeaf Bilingual Coalition - WashingtonFourth of five Deaf
generations.
mailto:[email protected]
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The Nature of ASLThe Nature of ASL Is ASLIs ASL……
A Visual-Gestural Language?Yes.
ASL contains 60% Gestural-Body Language and Facial Expressions.
Some iconic signs:Ex. BASEBALL, CAR, SMILE, GRAB
However ASL is different from common gestures hearing people
use. Some arbitrary signs:MAN, NAME, HOPE, YESTERDAY, IMPROVE
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The Nature of ASLThe Nature of ASL Is ASLIs ASL……
A fully developed language?Yes.
ASL contains all linguistic characteristics that make ASL a
language different and independent from English language.
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The Nature of ASLThe Nature of ASL Is ASLIs ASL……
A language you can use to communicate complicated topics with
philosophical ideas, politics, sports, education, science, comedy,
or express in drama, storytelling, poetry or anything else like you
do with English?Yes!…
with no limitations.
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The Nature of ASLThe Nature of ASL Is ASLIs ASL……
A changing language?Yes.Like all languages, ASL does change over
time and varies within regions (accents). Some old ASL signs
disappear, simplify or assimilate with other word signs into new
signs. (Compound and Contractions)
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The Nature of ASLThe Nature of ASL Is ASLIs ASL……
Universal?No.Almost every country has its own sign language just
like spoken language. There are about 100 known sign languages
around the world
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The Nature of ASLThe Nature of ASL Is ASLIs ASL……
Used in other countries?Yes, some. ASL is used by Deaf people in
Canada and few other countries with historical background of deaf
education established by American educators and church missionaries
for the deaf such as Nigera, Kenya, Philippines, Belize and some
parts of India.
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The Nature of ASLThe Nature of ASL Is ASLIs ASL……
Used in British countries?No. ASL is totally different from
British Sign Language used in the United Kingdom (Scotland,
England, and Wales), Australia, and New Zealand.
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American Deaf CultureWhat is Deaf Culture?A group of Deaf people
who uses American Sign
Language, lives by a set of norms and values of the Deaf
community, shares the Deaf heritage and traditions, and involves as
a member of Deaf community.
ASL is the key to the heart of Deaf culture and you have to
understand Deaf culture to master ASL at higher level.
“D”eaf versus deaf.Matter of identity and belonging to Deaf
community.Not necessarily hereditary.
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ASL Timeline
American Sign Language 1817
Old
LSF
MVSL(BSL?)
Old ASL
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ASL Timeline
American Sign
Language
1817: American School for the Deaf
1817-30’s Methodological Signs
1860: Standardization / Deaf College
1880: Milan, SL banned worldwide / NAD
1910’s: Peak of Oralism / Veditz Video
1960’s: Stokoe’s ASL Research / NTD
1970’s: MCE / NAD: SIGN / Deaf Studies
1980’s: Bi-Bi / DPN / Deaf Way I
1990’s: ASL Education / ASLTA
2000’s: Deaf Way II / VP-VRS / UFG
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ASL in Washington stateASL in Washington state
Washington State Law passed in July 1984 to recognize ASL as a
language and that it may be used for foreign language credit in
secondary and post-secondary level education. (WAC 180-51-025 for
secondary and postsecondary.) For more information on other state
legislations on ASL.
http://www.aslta.org/legislation/index.html
http://www.aslta.org/legislation/index.html
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ASL & Deaf Studies Program at UW
Regularly offered since Aut 2007First year with one teacher. Two
sections for each class, ASL 101, 102 and 103. Over 300 students on
waiting list for ASL 101 classes last year and again this
year.Permanent funds from the state and private foundations.ASL 305
Introduction to Deaf Studies.ASL 134 Intensive first year summer
ASL course.LING 403 ASL LinguisticsSigning community with Deaf
staff, students and other ASL students.
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Phonetic parameters of ASL signs
Manual ways in which signs can
differHandshapeLocationMovementOrientationNumber of hands
Non-manual ways in which signs can differ
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Handshape
Minimal pairsAPPLE vs. CANDYSEATTLE vs. NEUTRALLIKE vs.
WHITE
Signs which change handshapeUNDERSTANDHOW MANY
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Location
Minimal pairsAPPLE vs. ONIONLUCKY vs. CLEVERTHIRTEEN vs.
CUTE
Signs which change locationDEAF FUN KING
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Movement
Different types of movementstraight: SEPARATED angled: PERCENT
looping: WASHINGTON wiggling: COLOR twisting: CHRISTMAS nodding:
YES
Minimal pairsTOUGH vs. PHYSICSCAN vs. SHOESBROWN vs. BEER
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Orientation
Minimal pairsMEET vs. I MEET YOUNAME vs. CHAIRSOCK vs. STAR
Signs which change orientationDIE/DEADCLASS
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Number of hands
One-handed signsMOTHERCOOL (“with it”)
Two-handed signsDEERHEREBICYCLE
Minimal pairsPURPLE vs. PARTY
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Non-manual expressions
Signs articulated with non-manualOH I SEE
Minimal pairsHERE vs. WHAT LATE vs. NOT YETAGE vs. HOW-OLD HOT
vs. VERY HOT
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Assimilation
In handshapeINAMEI AM NAMEDBOYFRIENDBOYFRIEND
Change in handshape over timeYEAR
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Symmetry condition
‘if both hands move independently during a given two-handed
sign...then the specifications for handshape and movement must be
identical, and the orientations must be either identical or polar
opposites (reciprocals). Locations...must also be specifed either
as symmetrical or as polar opposites.’ (Battison 1974)
PresenterPresentation NotesBattison, Robbin. 1974. Phonological
Deletion in American Sign Language. Sign Language Studies
5:1-19.
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If handshapes identical
One hand can movePAPER
Or both hands can moveDIE/DEAD
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But if handshapes not identical
Only one hand can moveDRAW no signs where both hands move
independentlyphonological restriction
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Questions
American Sign Language �and ASL LinguisticsAgendaPresenterThe
Nature of ASL�Is ASL…The Nature of ASL�Is ASL…The Nature of ASL�Is
ASL…The Nature of ASL�Is ASL…The Nature of ASL�Is ASL…The Nature of
ASL�Is ASL…The Nature of ASL�Is ASL…American Deaf CultureASL
TimelineASL TimelineASL in Washington stateASL & Deaf Studies
Program at UWPhonetic parameters of ASL
signsHandshapeLocationMovementOrientationNumber of handsNon-manual
expressionsAssimilationSymmetry conditionIf handshapes identicalBut
if handshapes not identicalQuestions
