ASL Grammar & Structure
What part of your body often replaces tone or emotion in ASL?
Facial expressions
What is one acceptable way to get someone’s attention in the Deaf community?
Wave your hand or tap the table
Which two letters require hand movement to “draw” the letter’s shape?
J and Z
How are numbers 1–5 signed in terms of palm orientation?
Palm facing outward
What country did Gallaudet travel to in order to learn how to teach Deaf students?
France
What is the usual word order in ASL sentences?
Topic-comment order
What is considered rude in Deaf culture that isn’t rude in hearing culture?
Looking away while someone is signing
What is the difference between the signs for “M” and “N”?
The number of fingers over the thumb
How are numbers 6–10 different from 1–5?
Palm faces inward
What school did Gallaudet help establish in the U.S. for Deaf students?
American School for the Deaf
What does “non-manual signals” mean in ASL grammar?
Facial expressions and body movements that add grammatical meaning
Why do signs for males touch the forehead while signs for females touch the chin?
It’s a traditional gender distinction in ASL
Which letter looks least like its written form?
X
What motion is used when signing numbers 16–19?
A twisting motion
What was the main method called that focused on teaching Deaf children to speak instead of sign?
Oralism
Why can signing faster or slower change your message?
Speed affects meaning and intensity
What does “Big D Deaf” refer to?
Someone who identifies culturally with the Deaf community
What should a left-handed signer do differently when signing the alphabet?
Use their left hand as dominant
How is the number 9 formed in ASL?
Thumb touches the index finger
What is manualism in Deaf education?
Teaching Deaf children to use sign language alongside or instead of speech
What is one way ASL differs from spoken or written English?
ASL uses space, facial grammar, and movement instead of tone or word endings
How do Deaf households modify alarms or alerts?
Use flashing lights or vibrations
What term refers to creating your own sign system before learning ASL?
Home Signs
What is unique about the number 10 in ASL?
It looks like the “thumbs-up” gesture and is shaken slightly
Which two “dialects” of signs combined to form early ASL?
French Sign Language and local/home signs in the U.S.