Types of Classifiers in Sign Language

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions and examples of different classifier types.

Descriptive Classifier

A sign used to describe an object or a person (i.e., "curly hair"). Sometimes referred to as size and shape specifiers or SASSes.

Locative Classifier

A sign representing an object in a specific place and sometimes indicating movement (i.e., "leaf drifting to the ground").

Semantic Classifier

A sign representing a category of noun such as vehicle or person (i.e., "person walking stiffly and hurriedly").

Body Classifier

A sign in which the body "enacts" the very of the sentence. Role shifting is usually required (i.e., "acting macho", "put arms around a friend").

Instrument Classifier

A sign in which part of the body (usually the hands) manipulates an object (i.e., "turn crank" or "play jacks").

Bodypart Classifier

A sign representing a specific part of the body doing the action (i.e., "crossing legs", "tapping foot").

Plural Classifier

A sign, indicating either specific number or non-specific number (i.e., "people walking", "long line of people").

Element Classifier

A sign representing an element of the earth, such as rain, wind/smoke/gas, fire and light. Usually made with either the 1-handshape and 5-handshape (i.e., "waterfall", "water dripping from a faucet").

SASSes

An acronym for size and shape specifiers, which is another term for Descriptive Classifiers.