+ multiple meanings w.youtube. com/watch ?v=202- hhdeyem
TRANSCRIPT
+Iconic signs and Classifier Descriptions
Many non-signers believe signing is “gestures in the air”- no!!!
There are some elements of ASL that are more iconic than others, and appear “gesture-like”- such as classifiers- but they are a part of the grammar
ASL has a complex grammatical system and has a structure more similar to spoken Chinese than English
One examples is the classifier system
+What are classifiers? Classifiers have no meaning on their own- they must be
used in conjunction with their noun
English has very few classifiers- (tons=? Stack=?) example: tons of homework, stacks of paper (and we can avoid using classifiers if we choose to do so)
In spoken Chinese: Flat objects (table, paper, bed) vs. thin objects, etc.
In ASL, we have a similar system
Classifiers show, for example, the shape, description, and number of items
In ASL, classifiers (classifier predicates) are required for certain expressions
+Predicates “The boy is sick.”
Subject Predicate
In ASL: _______t__
BOY IX SICK
Verb can lead the predicate
In this case, however, the adjective is the predicate (no verb “to be”)
ASL also has CLASSIFIER predicates
CAR CL (3): “drive up hill” = “The car is driving up the hill.”
+Classifier Predicates (classifiers)- a type of verbs (Valli) Use the 5 parameters (handshape,
movement, location, palm orientation, nonmanual signals)
Nonmanuals such as “thin”, “cha”, etc.
Classifier predicates have a location (3-d space)
The location tells where the object is
If the handshape moves, it shows the object’s destination (where it goes)
+Classifier Predicates (aka Classifiers):Handshapes that represent a concept (size, shape, function, etc.)
Glossed with a CL before the item
The handshape is after the : ---example: CL:3
The description in English is in “ “
Example: CL:3 “car rolls over”
+Classifier types in ASL: Entity (semantic classifiers)- items,- types of nouns-
CL:1 “person walking fast”, CL:bent-V “row of chairs”, CL:3 “car parks”
Instrumental- tools, such as scalpel, chisel (use your hand or part of body) – CL “play checkers”, CL “light match”, CL “garbage dump out”
Size and Shape Specifiers (descriptive classifiers): Depth and width -Perimeter shape, etc.
Locative classifiers- placement, spatial information- CL (5) “leaf floating on the ground”; CL:C, CL:B “place cup on napkin”
Body Part Classifiers -BPCL:F “look at”, BPCL “cross legs”, BPCL: flat C “grin”
+Classifier Predicates- Examples:
CL:F-small, round- e.g. polkadots, button, thin tube
CL:B- flat items-e.g. shelves, door, window
CL:1- linear items- eg.sticks, pencils, worm, person walking
CL-3- vehicles
CL:U- flat and rectangular items-e..g. diving board, tongue depressor, ribbon CL: bent-V - crouching animal, people sitting, etc.
CL (5 spread)- e.g. windy, ripples in a lake, etc.
+Movement shows: eg. speed (Valli p. 91)
Other variations: up hill, two cars passing each other, surface pass person, etc.
+
Classifiers are:
Test Question:
Classifiers are—
A.Signs that are similar to adjectivesB.Predicate Verbs that have no meaning on their own, but must be used with a nounC.Signs that are just gesturesD.Predicate gestures that have no meaning
+Test Question:Which of the following English expressions use classifiers to sign in ASL?
A.A. A person walking down the streetB.B. A stack of papersC.C. A barrellD.D. A scalpel (surgical tool)E.E. all of the above
+
Test question:
What are SASS (descriptive classifiers)?A.A. Shape and Smoothness SignsB.B. Size and Sharpness of SignsC.C. Signs that are Surrounded by ShapeD.D. Size and Shape Specifiers