ASL Unit 1 Test Study Guide

Vocabulary & Signs

Group of us : 1-finger handshape, then sign group.

Answer : Both hands point with dominant hand closest to you.

Help : Thumb up on palm.

Sentence : Same sign as grammar.

Add : Bring hands together, add tips from up and down.

Multiply : Cross K's.

Divide : Flat hands together and out.

How do you sign : Sign "how?".

Stress : Hand on fist, bounce both together.

Location : Rub open palm on fist.

Type / What type : K on both hands, top K circles above hand and lands.

What : Do the sign.

Who : Do the sign.

Where : Do the sign.

When : Do the sign.

Why : Do the sign.

How : Do the sign.

How many : Do the sign.

Hearing deteriorated : Point to ear, then balloon thumbs down.

How are you : How (open thumb-up fists like gate) + You.

Fine : Open hand with thumb touching chest (no finger sprinkle).

Not much : Y-shape down.

Lousy : 3 fingers on nose and throw away.

Great : Praise sign.

Feel : Middle finger stroke up chest.

Happy : Two hands strike up on chest.

Silly : Y-shape on nose.

Nice to meet you : Both palms slide, index fingers out, fists together, You.

Excuse me : Fingers on palm and brush.

Like : Pinch chest.

Know : Fingers on forehead.

Don't know : Fingers on forehead and move outward.

New : Hit palm with fingertips and scrape up.

Worksheet : Work sign, palms together twice.

Joint point : Two-finger claw on arm.

13 : "Come here" motion using 3 handshape.

Bored : Finger on nose, turn outward while moving.

To kid : Hook up fists on top of each other.

Student : Sign "know" then "person".

Problem : Claw hands against each other.

The Five Parameters of ASL

Handshape : Specific shape of the hands (90 distinct handshapes in ASL).

Location : Where the sign is placed relative to the body.

Movement : The directional motion or action of the sign.

Palm Orientation : Direction the palm is facing (e.g., inward vs. outward).

Non-Manual Markers (NMM) : Facial expressions, head tilts, and eyebrow movements.

Grammar & Sentence Structure

Word Order : ASL follows an Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) order, unlike English which uses Subject-Verb-Object (SVO).

Topicalization :

  • The topic (time, subject, or object) is placed first and marked by raising eyebrows.

  • The comment (verb and additional information) follows:

    • Statements: Neutral eyebrows.

    • Yes/No Questions: Raised eyebrows (pitch/inflection rises at the end).

    • WH / Open-Ended Questions: Furrowed eyebrows (pitch/inflection drops at the end).

Pronouns & Indexing :

  • Singular Pronouns (he, she, it, they): Point to the side.

  • Plural Pronouns: Use a sweeping circular motion.

  • Possessive Pronouns: Signed with an open flat hand facing the person (flat hand indicates ownership).

  • We / Us: Starts at one shoulder and arcs to the other.

  • Group / Plural Number Pronouns: For two or three people, face the number shape slightly inward. For groups larger than five, sweep in a circle near the body and sign "group".

Pointing : Functions as the word "the" or a determiner in ASL.

Number Systems & Rules

Counting / Cardinal Numbers :

  • Numbers 1–5: Palm faces inward toward the signer.

  • Numbers 6 and above: Palm faces outward toward the listener.

Twin Numbers (e.g., 11, 22) : Signed with the palm facing downward.

Teen Variations : Sign 10 + number, rub fingers together, or shake the handshape.

Twenties Variations :

  • 20: Form an L shape with number.

  • 21: Finger gun shape with palm facing inward or upward.

  • 23: L shape with middle finger shaking in a 3 shape.

  • 24: L shape followed by 4.

Fingerspelling Rules & Techniques

Hand Posture :

  • Keep palm facing outward toward the viewer.

  • Keep arm and elbow relaxed near the body; keep the hand stationary without bouncing, rocking, or squeezing.

Signing Names :

  • Hold the first letter, pause while raising eyebrows and leaning head forward slightly.

  • When signing full names, raise eyebrows and pause between first and last name, moving the hand slightly to the right without dropping it.

  • A formal sign name is usually assigned if a name has 4+ letters or 5 letters with a double letter.

Double Letters : Executed using one of three movements: slide, bounce, or repeated contact.

General Strategy : Always use a dedicated ASL sign if available instead of default fingerspelling.

Interaction Etiquette & Physical Space

Gaining Attention :

  • Tap shoulder twice using fingertips or a full hand bent at the knuckles.

  • Wave hand within the person's field of vision (avoid waving directly in front of their face).

  • Tap the table, stomp on the floor, or flash room lights.

Signing Space & Setup :

  • Seating in classroom/group settings should be in a semi-circle.

  • Active signing space ranges from waist to head and elbow to elbow.

  • Always use your dominant hand as the base—do not alternate dominant hands.

  • Maintain eye contact around the neck/chest area rather than focusing strictly on hands.

Backchanneling : Nodding and using facial expressions to show active listening and comprehension.

Positioning : If someone is blocking your line of sight, gently push their upper shoulder in the direction they need to shift.

Deaf Community & Culture

Language Status : ASL is a fully developed, distinct visual-spatial language with its own grammar rules (formalized by William Stokoe), used primarily in North America.

Deaf Statuses :

  • Deaf

  • DeafBlind (utilizes ProTactile signing)

  • DeafDisabled

  • Late-Deafened

  • Hard of Hearing

  • Hearing

Disability Perspective : Being Deaf in itself is culturally viewed as a linguistic identity rather than a disability, though recognizing DeafDisabled identity avoids marginalizing those with additional disabilities.



  • What's new?: flick up from chest

  • Wrong: y under chin

  • Brainstorm: point to brain and storm

  • That/there: Y down quickoy

  • What for?: finger to forhead and put out

  • Open your book: open fully

  • Help you : Thumb on hand towards the other person

  • Which: thumbs up and down in fists

  • Help me: thumb on hand towards yourself

  • Now: Y going down

  • Share: open hand sweep

  • Later: downwards L

  • Ask me: inching finger towards yourself

  • Ask you: inching finger at the person

  • Equals: two hands straight together

  • Math: two M’s on top of eachother

  • Good (2 variations)

  • Study: sparkle fingers on palm

  • Discuss: finger on palm

  • Write on the board: outline board and write

  • Teacher: fingers out from forhead, then person

  • Homework: chin, chin, fists on top of eachother


What for: finger to forhead and put out

How do you sight: How + sign

Later: L and down

That: Y down very fast

Math: two m’s on top of each other

Definition/meaning: peace sign on palm switch direction

Share: open hand sweep