ASL StorytellingASL StorytellingASL StorytellingASL StorytellingTracy KosterTracy Koster

March 8, 2006March 8, 2006

STORYBOOKS – Space usage– Expressions– Classifier Use– Role Shifting

Space Usage• Normal “signing space”

– extends from top of head to waist, and shoulder to shoulder.

• Signers tend to stand within arm’s length from people they are talking to.

Expressions• Important!!!• 70% of ASL based on expressions!

– deaf people miss out on vocal inflections

– no expressions – boring!• eyebrows• eyes• eye gaze• etc.

• Body language is important as well.

ClassifiersUsed to describe …

• Location• Movement• Action• Quantity• Thickness• Texture

…of object(s)

Examples of Classifiers

• 1• 2• 3• G

• F• Thin C• “bent” 5

Role Shifting• Important to tell audience which

character is speaking– Put yourself in character’s shoes

• Usually shift shoulders… rarely whole body.

• Use to describe character’s personality or actions. (don’t use adjectives!)

• Indexing

Telling stories in general

• Review stories before you ASL them

• When possible, don’t overwhelm yourself with the entire book– practice one page at a time, again

and again until you get a good feel for it