ASL Directions and Communication

These flashcards cover the essential vocabulary and concepts related to giving directions in ASL, spatial awareness, and the cultural norms of communicating with Deaf individuals.

What are the steps for giving directions on the same floor?

Establish the hallway, give a route with non-manual markers for distance, and use an ordinal number to indicate the door while raising brows.

How do you give directions on a different floor?

Indicate whether it’s upstairs or downstairs, give the ordinal number for that floor, and state what location is nearby.

What are the steps for giving directions in a different building?

Indicate if it's upstairs or downstairs, tell the person to exit the building, and give references to the next location.

Describe facial expressions for conveying distance.

Far: tilt head, squint eyes, open mouth slightly, extend arm to point; Moderate: tilt head, purse lips, point with arm moderately extended; Very Near: tilt head, clench teeth, turn head to dominant side, point close to body.

What is spatial agreement?

It's when signs are oriented to the person being referred to, for example, orienting signs towards someone on your right.

How can a verb change to show spatial agreement?

A verb's movement can change based on the location of the subject and object; for instance, moving from your location towards the object being referred.

What are the strategies for asking for a sign?

Pointing to an object, drawing a picture, listing things in a category, using opposites, and describing/acting out.

What steps are involved in describing pets?

Identify the type of pet, indicate relative size, and use body language to describe color and markings.

How do Deaf people have a visual way of living?

Through open floorplans, bright lighting, open seating arrangements, strategic mirrors, video phones, and alert systems with flashing lights.

What are the cultural norms for speaking in the presence of a Deaf person?

If you know how to sign, do not use your voice as it may be seen as inconsiderate; relay messages if a non-signer is present.