ASL Chap 7 + 10

Cultural Marker of Deaf Community

ASL

Kannapell claimed what

ASL provides Deaf people with 100% access to information

ASL was developed where?

by Deaf people at the first Deaf school in Hartford CT

2 approaches to analyzing language

1. Prescriptive Rules: language rules by a book or teacher
2. Descriptive Rules: language variations of word/signs and grammar

Prescriptive rules in ASL

1. considered pure ASL
2. examined at all levels


1. phonology


1. handshape
2. locations
3. movement
4. palm orientation
2. morphology


1. 3-weeks-ago, etc.
2. nouns are repeated movement, verbs are single
3. syntax


1. eyebrows raised/lower
2. topic-comment structure
3. OSV
4. discourse


1. diamond structure-topicalization (topic stated first)
3. interruption strategies


1. eye-gaze, hands, facial expressions for smoother conversation
4. range of registers


1. clear diamond structure
2. proper sign formation
3. reduced non-manual markers
4. unmarked grammar structure
5. use of space
6. fingerspelling and initialized signs
7. pausing as boundary marker

Valli and Lucas

proposed adding non-manual signs as another ASL parameter (facial expressions)

Descriptive rules in ASL

1. considered actual ASL: how people sign
2. teacher mix signed english with ASL
3. 1980 continuum of ASL proposed


1. examines influence of english on ASL
4. contact signing: a phenomenon of fluent ASL signers accommodating to English signers

Bragg’s model

Modern ASL: Natural signers relying on english background

Traditional manner: minimal new influence on signing

Rarefied ASL: signing that is poetic in nature

Bilingualism in Deaf people

1. ASL monolinguals: only competent in ASL
2. ASL dominant bilinguals: Deaf people who have skill in both ASL and english, but more fluent in ASL
3. Balanced bilingual: use both languages equally
4. english dominant bilingual: Deaf people who have skill in both ASL and english, but more fluent in english
5. english monolinguals: no knowledge of ASL only competent in english
6. Semi-linguals: Deaf people who have limited skill in both

Holcomb

The Hazards of Deaf people, humorous, just embarrassing incidents

Leave-taking

a series of lengthy mutual goodbyes before the telephone allowed Deaf people to keep in touch (still to this day)

Persistence in Contact

to be persistent when contacting people, doing everything to see if someone’s home before leaving

Information sharing

keeping others informed, radios not always accessible, so required to share all information through grape vine

Letting others know of your destination

announcing your destination when leaving the room no matter how close

reporting back

telling others of your actions specifically safety checks

detailed introductions

extensive introductions in case they know mutual people

name signs

shows values of the community as culture is involved in giving name signs

arbitrary name sign system

name signs that do not refer to any personal characteristics

formation of name signs

distinctive and culturally bound


1. Deaf community may update name signs


2. name signs are rarely used in the presence of that person

3 categories of social behavior

1. explicit: things like laws


1. self determination
2. communication access
2. tacit: what is acceptable within the community


1. the majority of the Deaf community
2. experienced by Deaf members but not written as laws
3. NEVER intentionally exclude a Deaf person from conversation
4. the role of speech is a hallmark
5. privacy is only behind closed doors
6. attention-getting devices
7. precise description is needed when describing people
3. emblematic: behaviors normalized outside your community but shocking within community


1. straight talk is brutally honest communication
2. openness is sharing everything
3. desirability of Deaf children