ASL

Linguistics Study Guide

Sociolinguistics

  • The study of how language varies and changes in social contexts.

  • Examines the relationship between language and society.

  • Focuses on factors such as region, age, gender, ethnicity, and social class.

  • ASL is a rich and dynamic language with regional and social variations.

  • Influenced by Deaf culture, community norms, and historical events.

Regional Variations in ASL

  • Different signs for the same concept across regions (e.g., signs for "birthday").

  • Influences from local Deaf schools and communities.

  • Impact of migration and social interaction.

Age and Generational Influence

  • Older signers may use more traditional signs.

  • Younger signers often incorporate slang and new signs.

  • Influence of technology and media on ASL evolution.

Gender and ASL Use

  • Subtle differences in signing style between genders.

  • Influence of gender roles and social norms.

  • Varying facial expressions and body language.

Ethnicity and Cultural Influence

  • Black ASL (BASL) as a distinct dialect.

  • Historical segregation in Deaf schools led to unique linguistic features.

  • Cultural identity and expression through signing.

Social Class and Education

  • Access to formal ASL education affects fluency and style.

  • Variation between community-based signing and academic ASL.

  • Code-switching between different social settings.

The Role of Technology and Media

  • Social media platforms spreading new signs and slang.

  • Video calls and online communication influencing sign pace and clarity.

  • ASL interpreters and influencers impacting sign usage.

Semantics

Semantics is the study of meaning in language. In ASL, semantics focuses on how signs convey meaning and how meaning can shift depending on context.

Key Concepts:

  • Lexical Meaning: The specific meaning of a sign, as found in a dictionary.

  • Iconicity vs. Arbitrary Signs: Some signs visually represent their meaning (iconic signs, e.g., "HOUSE"), while others have an arbitrary relationship between form and meaning (e.g., "WHY").

  • Multiple Meanings: Multiple meaning words are words that have more than one definition depending on how they are used in a sentence. In ASL, context and facial expressions help convey the correct meaning. 

    • Facial Expressions – Help clarify the meaning of the signed word.

    • Context – Pay attention to the topic of conversation.

    • Sentence Structure – The words before and after can help determine meaning.

  • Metaphorical Meaning: Signs can take on metaphorical meanings (e.g., "FALL-IN-LOVE" uses movement to metaphorically represent emotional attachment).

  • Classifier Predicates: Classifiers contribute to meaning by providing detailed descriptions of size, shape, movement, and location.

Pragmatics

Pragmatics is the study of how context influences meaning and communication in ASL.

Key Concepts:

  • Context-Dependent Meaning: The meaning of a sign can change based on social or conversational context.

  • Facial Expressions & Non-Manual Markers: These convey grammatical and emotional context, altering meaning.

  • Conversational Implicature: Meaning that is understood indirectly rather than explicitly stated (e.g., a raised eyebrow indicating a question).

  • Turn-Taking & Backchanneling: ASL uses visual signals like head nods, eye gaze, and hand lowering to manage conversation flow.

  • Register Variation: ASL signers adjust their signing style based on formality, audience, and setting.

  • Deixis: Pointing signs (indexing) establish spatial and referential meaning.

ASL Expansion Techniques

ASL expansion techniques help clarify meaning and add depth to communication. There are 7 main expansion techniques:

  1. Contrasting – Showing what something is by explaining what it is NOT.

    • Example: "NOT COLD, WARM" instead of just "WARM."

  2. Faceting – Using multiple signs that share a similar meaning to add depth.

    • Example: "HAPPY" + "SATISFIED" + "CONTENT" instead of just "HAPPY."

  3. Reiteration – Repeating a sign for emphasis.

    • Example: "IMPORTANT" signed twice in a sentence.

  4. Utilizing 3D Space – Setting up referents and showing relationships between them.

    • Example: Placing two people in space to compare their heights visually.

  5. Explain by Example – Giving specific examples instead of a general term.

    • Example: Instead of signing "FRUIT," listing "APPLE, ORANGE, BANANA."

  6. Describe then Do (Role-Shifting) – Describing an action, then enacting it.

    • Example: "TEACHER EXPLAIN (pause) STUDENT NOD, WRITE" to show interaction.

  7. Couching (Bracketing) – Providing background/context before the main point.

    • Example: Instead of just signing "COCHLEAR IMPLANT," explaining "SURGERY, DEVICE IN HEAD, CONNECT SOUND."

ASL, PSE, and SEE

ASL (American Sign Language)

  • A fully developed visual language with its own grammar and syntax.

  • Does not follow English word order.

  • Uses classifiers, facial expressions, and non-manual signals.

  • Example: "MOVIE WATCH."

PSE (Pidgin Signed English)

  • A blend of ASL and English structure.

  • Uses ASL vocabulary but follows more English word order.

  • Common among signers who are not fluent in ASL but communicate with the Deaf community.

  • Example: "I GO MOVIE."

SEE (Signing Exact English)

  • Uses English grammar, word order, and additional signs for English affixes.

  • Primarily used in educational settings to support English literacy.

  • Example: "I am going to watch a movie."