Deaf Culture & Deaf Communities
Is ASL universal?
No. Every country has its own sign language, for example BSL in Britain and LSM in Mexico. Even within ASL there is regional variation.
When you ask a YES/NO question in ASL, where does the English word "do" go, and what do your eyebrows do?
"DO" is built into the facial expression. Raise your eyebrows.
Pro tip: add YOU at the end to emphasize. Example: YOU LIKE READ YOU
Show the signs: GOOD MORNING, GOOD AFTERNOON, GOOD NIGHT
GOOD MORNING
GOOD AFTERNOON
GOOD NIGHT
Translate this into ASL: Hi! My name is ______. I am currently learning ASL. Nice to meet you!
HELLO, MY NAME ______, NOW ME LEARN ASL, NICE MEET YOU
Give three responses to "How are you?"
GOOD, FINE, OKAY, TIRED, SICK
What is the main purpose of facial expressions and other non-manual signals in ASL?
They convey grammar, tone, role shifting and more.
In a WH question, where does the WH-word go and what do your eyebrows do?
At the END of the sentence, with furrowed eyebrows.
Example: YOUR NAME WHAT
Show these six colors: ORANGE, GREEN, PINK, GRAY, BROWN, GOLD
ORANGE, GREEN, PINK, GRAY, BROWN, GOLD
Translate this into ASL: Do you have a bad cough?
YOU HAVE BAD COUGH YOU (raise eyebrows)
Give three responses to "What's up?"
NOTHING, BUSY, GOOD, ALL-GOOD, FINE, SAME-OLD-SAME-OLD
How can you appropriately get a Deaf person’s attention without being rude? Provide two examples.
1. Gently tap their shoulder
2. Wave within their field of vision
3. Lightly stomp on the floor/table
4. Flashing the lights on and off
Name four reasons we fingerspell in ASL.
1. Brand names (Nike, Toyota, Coke)
2. Names of people and places (Costco, cities, street names)
3. A word you don't know the sign for
4. For clarification (AB for antibiotics, STRAWBERRY)
Show these numbers: 15, 19, 24, 29, 37, 64
15, 19, 24, 29, 37, 64
Pro tip: for 6, your thumb touches the pinky (smallest number, smallest finger).
Translate both into ASL:
Why are you learning ASL?
Where do you live?
YOU LEARN ASL WHY (furrow eyebrows)
YOU LIVE WHERE (furrow eyebrows)
Someone signs THANK-YOU to you. Show three ways to respond.
Sign THANK-YOU back, or NO-BIG-DEAL, NO-PROBLEM, SURE, FINE (wave down).
Note: WELCOME means "welcome to my house," not "you're welcome."
When two signers are conversing in a crowded area and there’s no room to go behind them, what should you do rather than awkwardly waiting or ducking underneath?
Walk straight through at a normal pace.
What's the difference between ME/I and MY, and between YOU and YOUR? Show both.
Personal pronouns (ME, YOU) use a 1 handshape (point).
Possessives (MY, YOUR) use a closed-5 handshape.
They are NOT interchangeable: "I like (point)" vs. "I like (point) SHOES."
Show the signs: GRANDMOTHER, AUNT, UNCLE, COUSIN, NEPHEW, NIECE
GRANDMOTHER, AUNT, UNCLE, COUSIN, NEPHEW, NIECE
Translate both into ASL:
I enjoy shopping. What about you?
I detest running.
ME ENJOY SHOPPING, SAME YOU?
ME DETEST RUN
Your friend has a cold. Give three recommendations in ASL.
FEEL BETTER, DRINK TEA, REST, SLEEP, GO SEE DOCTOR, TAKE MEDICINE
Is the term “hearing impaired” considered acceptable or offensive within the Deaf community?
It’s considered offensive; “Deaf” is preferred as it emphasizes identity and culture, not a deficit.
Translate both into ASL:
How many dogs do you have?
Which do you prefer, tea or coffee?
DOGS YOU HAVE HOW-MANY (furrow eyebrows)
TEA COFFEE YOU PREFER WHICH (furrow eyebrows)
Show all eight pet signs from class.
CAT, DOG, RABBIT, TURTLE, BIRD, SNAKE, FISH, HORSE
Translate both into ASL:
Yes, I have two sisters and one brother.
No, I don't have children.
YES, ME HAVE TWO SISTER, ONE BROTHER
NO, ME NONE CHILDREN (shake your head on the negation)
A classmate asks: Do you have pets? Answer in ASL: Yes, I have two turtles. Their names are Fern and Ivy.
YES, ME HAVE TWO TURTLE, NAME (list on non-dominant hand) F-E-R-N, I-V-Y
Pro tip: use your non-dominant hand to list names.