ASL Review Notes

Accepted Labels

  • Deaf: This means someone is part of the Deaf community and proud of their Deaf culture and language.

  • deaf: This refers to the medical side of not being able to hear, focusing on the hearing loss itself.

  • Hard of Hearing: This describes people who can still hear some sounds.

Unaccepted Labels

  • Hearing Impaired: Many deaf people dislike this term because it makes hearing loss sound like a problem or something missing, instead of focusing on their abilities.

  • Dumb: This word used to mean someone couldn't speak, but now it's very rude and suggests someone isn't smart.

  • Mute: In the past, this term was used for people who couldn't speak. It's now seen as offensive as it suggests they have no voice or way to communicate.

How to get their Attention

  • Waving: Gently wave in their side vision. If they don't see you, wave closer or more clearly.

  • Tapping: Lightly tap their shoulder or arm if they are nearby. Don't tap their head or face.

  • Stomping: If they are far away, stomp your foot on the floor. The ground shaking can get their attention.

  • Flashing Lights: In a room, quickly turning lights on and off can signal attention.

Morphemes

  • What is it: These are the smallest parts of a language that have meaning on their own. You can't break them down further without losing their meaning.

  • Examples for ASL:

    • A single sign can be a morpheme (like the sign for 'CAT' or 'SIT').

    • Changing a sign to show more meaning, such as repeating a sign for an action to show it's happening over and over (like repeating 'WALK' to mean 'walking for a while').

    • The direction a sign moves (like 'GIVE-TO-YOU' versus 'GIVE-TO-ME').

Phonemes

  • What is it: These are the basic units in a language that change a sign's meaning. They are like the building blocks of signs.

  • What are ASL examples of it:

    • Handshape: The shape your hand makes (e.g., the 'A' handshape in 'FATHER' versus the 'B' handshape in 'MOTHER').

    • Location: Where the sign is made on or near the body (e.g., 'SUMMER' (on the forehead) versus 'DRY' (on the chin)).

    • Movement: How the hand moves (e.g., 'SAY' versus 'TELL').

    • Palm Orientation: Which way your palm faces (e.g., 'MINE' (palm towards you) versus 'YOURS' (palm towards the other person)).

    • Non-Manual Markers (NMMs): These are facial expressions, body position, or head movements that add meaning or grammar to a sign (e.g., raising your eyebrows for a 'yes/no' question).