ASL Basics
What does ASL stand for?
American Sign Language
Spell the word: "Pen" in ASL.
P-E-N
What year was ASL officially recognized as a language?
1960
Show or describe the sign for “Teacher.”
Making flattened "O" handshapes with both hands and moving them forward from near the forehead, mimicking the act of "giving" knowledge.
Who was the famous Deaf and blind woman who became an author and activist?
Helen Keller
What handshape do you use for the sign “I Love You”?
🤟
What fingerspelled word is this: 👋☝️✌👉
HIGH
Who co-founded the first school for the Deaf in America?
Thomas Gallaudet & Laurent Clerc
Show or describe the sign for “Book.
Start by holding both hands flat and placing your palms together, as if your hands are the covers of a book. Keeping the pinky-finger sides of your hands together, swing your hands open so that your palms face upward.
Who is the Deaf actor known for the movie CODA and won an Oscar?
Troy Kotsur
| Is ASL a universal language?
No!!
True or False: You should bounce your hand when fingerspelling each letter
No
What is the name of the first Deaf university in the U.S.?
Gallaudet University
What is the sign for “Classroom”?
First form both hands into a "C" shape and move them in a circular motion until they meet again. Then, place your hands in front of your body with palms facing outward and move them into a semicircle until the palms face each other.
What Deaf actress won an Oscar for Children of a Lesser God?
Marlee Matlin
What is the sign for “School”?
Both flat hands and make two quick, down-and-up, clapping-like motions with your dominant hand onto your non-dominant hand, which is held flat and parallel to the ground
What is the best way to read fingerspelling: Look at the hand or the whole word shape?
Focus on the whole word- like when speaking we focus on the entire word, not just each syllabyl or letter pronounced!
What major event in 1988 happened at Gallaudet University?
Deaf President Now protest
What two signs combine to make “Homework”?
Home+Work
Who is the first Deaf NFL player?
Derrick Coleman
What is most important when signing emotions in ASL?
NMS and Body Language!
Fingerspell the name of your school, and the day of the month+year with proper organization, flow, and order.
Who was the Deaf French teacher that helped bring sign language to America?
Laurent Clerc
Show the sign for “Friend” and use it in a sentence.
Friend- take both hands and bend your index fingers to form an "X" shape. Interlock your bent index fingers, linking them to represent the bond between friends.
Name a Deaf TikTok or YouTube influencer who shares ASL or Deaf culture.