ASL ASL GLOSSGLOSSA labeling system for

American Sign Language

ASL Gloss handout:

Fill in as we go:

A• Is a visual, gestural, spatial language.

• Is a “non-recordednon-recorded” language that cannot be written like standard spoken languages.

• Is the natural language used by Deaf people in North America.

• Is a rich and unique language and is very different from is very different from EnglishEnglish..

merican LLSS ig

nanguage

Is notnot ASL in written formwritten form..

Is not not a languagelanguage at all.

Is not not a way of making ASL a written language.written language.

Is not not the only method of ““writingwriting”” ASL.

ASL Gloss

ASL gloss is VERYVERY limitedlimited.

The “ILYILY” sign (because it uses the three

letters II, LL, and YY)

Can mean four different things:

1. “1. “I love youI love you” 2. ” 2. AIRPLANEAIRPLANE3. 3. TO-FLYTO-FLY 4. 4. AIRPORTAIRPORT

ASL Gloss

Is intended to be used as a TOOL. TOOL.

This tool is used to practice ASL Sentences.

These transcriptions are NOTNOT

English or ASL, but labels to be

used to help learn ASL.

ASL Gloss

Gloss is usually confined to student use and not usednot used outside the classroomoutside the classroom.

The use of English symbols to write ASL sentences is ONLY intended to help the ASL student.

ASL Gloss

The use of English to represent American Sign Language signs is simply a tool— --no writing system for ASL has been adopted by the Deaf community.

Most Deaf do not know what ASL Gloss is, and DON’T use it.

In fact…

ASL Gloss

The sign:

Could be represented by the symbol:

Meaning students would need to learn a whole new code for their new language.

Instead many ASL instructors have chosen to use capitalized English words to represent signs.

GAS

ASL Gloss

Note that the use of the English word, GAS, in capitalized letters is only a SYMBOLSYMBOL a label referring to the sign.

GAS =

ASL Gloss

The sign GAS GAS is typically used for automobile or fuel gas.

The LOAN SIGN #GAS#GAS is used for Natural Gas (stoves or heaters).

vs.

ASL Gloss

Signs

The The glossgloss for the sign in this picture: for the sign in this picture: GASGAS (for a car, lawn mower)

The The glossgloss for the sign in this for the sign in this picture: picture: DON’T-KNOWDON’T-KNOW

It is hyphenated because it is a single ASL concept that requires TWOTWO English words to correctly describe it.

are represented by English words in capital letters “called GLOSS”.

GLOSSGLOSS (label system) (label system)fill in the answers on your worksheet

1. A capitalized word represents a single American Sign Language sign.

Example:2. Several capitalized words joined

together by hyphens represent a single American Sign Language Sign.

Example: 3. Letters joined together by

hyphens represent a fingerspelled word or abbreviation.

Example:

DEAF

PUT-DOWNDON’T-UNDERSTAND

P-H-I-L-L-I-PA-N-N-E

GOOD

4. A capitalized word preceded by the symbol, #, represents a lexicalized sign (loan sign).

Example: (Dog, Yes, No)5. The symbol, + +, indicates that the

preceding sign is reduplicated.

Example:

There are also grammar markers used:There are also grammar markers used: 6. Lines above ASL Gloss phrases

indicate what Non-Manual grammar is to be used.

#DOG

#NO#YES

AGAIN++

DIFFERENT++

GLOSSGLOSS (label system) (label system)fill in the answers on your worksheet

______ y/n _______SHE TEACHER SHE = =

_______ wh_______YOU NAME WHAT = =

___ n ___ ME DEAF ME = =

ME STUDENT ME = =___ t __J-O-H-N, HE TALL HE. = =

Watch the demo of the four sentence types.Watch the demo of the four sentence types.

GLOSS (label system) fill in the answers on your worksheet

Yes/No Question Eyebrows up

WH Question Eyebrows down

Eyebrows downHeadshake

NegativeStatement

Eyebrows upTopic Marker

Declarative/Positive Statement

Head Nod

We will focus on We will focus on simple statements for simple statements for now and learn about now and learn about ASL questions later.ASL questions later.

YOUR HOMEWORK…

Write in ASL GLOSSASL GLOSSWe will do the first few together as a class, then you may work together and help each other. Use a closing signal and write with the correct Gloss Markers.

Use your 10 ABC-1 Sentences (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)Remember 4 are questions 3 have FS names and

you may also use negative statements:

I am not sad. _____n___ (head shake)

I SAD I.

When finished…

Your homework will be to practice these sentences and be ready to sign them…

possibly next weekpossibly next week!!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Sentences Set 1Sentences Set 1::You are a hearing person.He is nice.They are tired.She is a student.You are all deaf.We are confused.I am happy.You are mad.He is sad.She is a teacher.

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Sentences Set 2Sentences Set 2::We are tallShe is furious.They are sleepy.He is strong.I was surprised.It is a cool breeze.You are all weak.It is warm.It is light.She is beautiful.

Get the key to correct your homework in

class.