Module+1

= Module 1 - The Five Parameters of a Sign =

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**Parameter #1: Handshape ** All signs are formed using a specific handshape. Below are some common handshapes used in American Sign Language. It is important to know the names of these handshapes because ASL classes, dictionaries, and instructors use these terms to describe how to create signs. Changing the handshape of a sign changes the meaning of a sign, so it is important to know how to accurately form these handshapes.



**Parameter #2: Movement ** The movement of a sign is the action that is used to create the sign. The movement can be in a circle, up and down, forward or backward, etc. If you change the movement of a sign, you can change the meaning of a sign. For example, for the sign "chair," you move your dominant hand up and down twice and for the sign "sit," you move your dominant down once. A simple change of movement changes the meaning of that sign. //Your Dominant Hand // You have a dominant and non-dominant hand. If you are right-handed, your right hand is your dominant hand. If you are left-handed, your left hand is your dominant hand. If you are ambidextrous, choose one hand to use as your dominant hand, and stick with it. There are three types of signs when it comes to what hand you will use:
 * 1) One-handed signs: Use only your dominant hand. (i.e. MAN)
 * 2)  Two-handed signs where both hands move: Move both your dominant and non-dominant hand. These signs normally use the same handshape and movement for both hands. (i.e. SCIENCE)
 * 3)  Two-handed signs where one hand moves: Move your dominant hand and keep your non-dominant hand stationary. (i.e. DRAW)

**Parameter #3: Palm Orientation ** The palm orientation of a sign refers to the position of the palms of your hands and the direction they are facing. If you change the palm orientation of a sign, you can change the meaning of the sign. • Forward - Palm is facing away from your body • Inward - Palm is facing toward your body <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Horizontal - Palm is parallel to the floor <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Palm toward palm - Palms are facing each other <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Palm to palm - Palms are applied to each other.

**<span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parameter #4: Location ** <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The location of a sign is where you place and form the sign in your signing area. If you change the location of a sign, you can change the meaning of a sign. <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some examples of locations include: <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• In front of your body, <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your whole face or head, <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your upper face (brow or forehead), <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your mid face (eyes or nose), <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your lower face (mouth or chin), <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your side face (temple, ear, or cheek), <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your neck, <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your trunk (shoulders, chest, or belly), <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your upper arm, <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• Your forearm or elbow, <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• The inside of your wrist, <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">• The back of your wrist, and <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">For example, the sign for "mother" is formed by tapping your open-five hand on your chin and the sign for "father" is formed by tapping your open-five hand on your forehead. This simple change in location changes the meaning of the sign.

**<span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parameter #5: Non-Manual Markers ** <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Non-Manual Markers are very important in American Sign Language. They consist of the various facial expressions and body movements that are added to signs to create meaning. Non-manual markers can be facial expressions, head shakes, head nods, head tilts, shoulder shrugging, etc. <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">For example, when you raise your eyebrows, lean your head forward, and hold the last sign in your sentence when signing a question, you are asking a yes-or-no question. //<span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Facial Expressions // <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Facial expressions are one of the non-manual behaviors of American Sign Language. The meaning of your sign will be affected by the type of facial expression you use while signing it. <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Facial expressions are part of the group of body or face movements called "non-manual markers." While facial expressions only refer to the expressions on your face, non-manual markers refer to facial expressions, head shakes, head nods, head tilts, or any other body movement that can change the meaning of your signs.

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<span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">ASSIGNMENT 1 -- Monday, December 6th <span style="color: #824f82; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Feel free to watch this video as often as you'd like. Once you are comfortable with the five parameters, visit one of the most helpful ASL websites around, ASLPro and search for three different signs in the video dictionaries.Print out the document below. For each sign, fill in the five parameters. If the sign you chose does not meet a certain parameter, feel free to leave it blank. This assignment is due on Tuesday, December 7th.

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