Categorize It!
The sign "BREAKFAST" can be categorized this way.
What is Compound or Arbitrary?
Past tense tense markers tend to end here.
What is behind the body?
The most basic form of sentence structure in American Sign Language.
What is TOPIC-COMMENT?
A handshape used to represent a person or object.
What is a Classifier?
The act of writing down what someone signs, sign for sign, in correct ASL grammar and syntax order.
What is Glossing?
EAT, DRINK, or BABY, for example.
What are Iconic Signs?
What is the present tense?
The part of the sentence which is receiving the action.
What is the object?
Making a visual list of information such as names or ages.
What is the Listing & Ordering Technique?
Many signs can't be glossed using just one English word. These signs are glossed using this to connect each separate word.
What is a hyphen?
The sign "HELP-me" can be categorized this way.
What is Directional or Arbitrary?
This helps establish the tense of an ASL sentence and, as a general rule, should be signed at the beginning.
What are time, time signs or tense markers?
The Object Subject Verb ASL sentence structure is sometimes refered to as using this kind of voice.
What is a passive voice?
Most commonly used to show a pair of eyes or legs.
What is Classifier V?
The gloss for the English sentence: "What is your name?"
What is: "YOU NAME WHAT?"
Incorporating a number (1-9) into a base sign in order to change its meaning - usually having to do with amount or duration.
What is the Rule of 9?
This corresponds to the length of time, into the future, that you are signing about.
What is the further forward, or in front of the body, the sign is completed?
This ASL sentence structure is the most closely related to how hearing people speak.
What is SVO or active voice?
This classifier is used to show running water, a nosebleed, a line of people or a mohawk.
What is Classifier 4?
The ASL gloss for "dinner".
What is EAT+NIGHT?
MOST of the days of the week can be categorized this way.
What is as Initialized or Arbitrary signs?
Sign: In 3 months
What is: "FUTURE/WILL 3-MONTH" or "3-MONTH FUTURE/WILL"
According to ASL grammar, this should ALWAYS come first (as long as there is no time in the sentence).
What is the Topic?
Because classifiers can have different meanings, it is important to do this.
What is identify or label your classifier?
The passive gloss for the English sentence: "My brother Tom likes football."
What is: "FOOTBALL MY BROTHER fs-TOM LIKE"