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Sign Language 2025

The document discusses various aspects of gestures and sign languages, distinguishing between signs used instead of speaking and gestures used while speaking. It covers different types of sign languages, such as primary and alternate sign languages, and highlights the structure and parameters of American Sign Language (ASL). Additionally, it addresses the cultural transmission of ASL and the importance of visual elements in sign communication.

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XChara
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17 views10 pages

Sign Language 2025

The document discusses various aspects of gestures and sign languages, distinguishing between signs used instead of speaking and gestures used while speaking. It covers different types of sign languages, such as primary and alternate sign languages, and highlights the structure and parameters of American Sign Language (ASL). Additionally, it addresses the cultural transmission of ASL and the importance of visual elements in sign communication.

Uploaded by

XChara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Gestures and sign languages

Sign: used instead of speaking.


Gesture: used while speaking
Emblem: signals that function like
fixed phrases and do not depend on
speech but on social knowledge
(V=victory)
Iconics: gestures reflecting the
meaning ([]=small box) (o-o=glasses)
deictics: pointing and referencing
Beats: short and quick movements of
the hand or fingers
Gestures and sign languages
Alternate sign language: system of hand
signals developed by speakers for
limited communication in a specific
context where speech cannot be used
(religious practice)
Primary sign language: first language of
a group of people who do not use a
spoken language with each other.
Ex: British (BSL), French Sign Language
(SLF) and American Sign Language
(ASL): not mutually intelligible. SLF and
ASL have more in common due to
historical reasons.
Gestures and sign languages
Oralism: deaf students practice English
speech sounds and develop lip-reading
skills.
ASL: cultural transmission has been
carried out from child to child rather
than parents. Why?
Signed English: producing signs that
corresponding to the words in an English
sentence, in English word order.
(interaction between the deaf and
hearing community)
 ASL> developed from the French Sign
Language used in Paris
Gestures and sign languages
The structure of signs: ASL is designed
for the eyes, not the ears.
Articulatory parameters;
1- shape: configuration of hand(s) and
finger(s)
2- orientation: configuration of palm
(up/down)
3- location: head or upper body of the
signer
4- movement: out and downward
movement of the hand(s) toward the
receiver/faster or slower movement
Gestures and sign languages
 Representing signs: incorporating
facial expression to the message
(head, lips, eyes)
 Phonology
 Morphology
 Syntax (SVO) (adjectives after nouns-
like French)
 ASL as a natural language
 ASL dialects and historical changes
Gestures and sign languages
Prime: contrasting elements within the
parameters.
Flat hand: shape
Palm-up: orientation
Head-movement
Eye-movement
Facial expressions
Finger spelling: letters of the alphabet
ASL: visual, face to face interaction, majority
of signs are located around the neck and
head.
Two-handed signs are generally around chest
and waist
The meaning of signs are arbitrary
Visual medium is not linear. Why?
Gestures and sign languages
Representing signs
____________q
ME BORROW BOOK
(Can I borrow the book?

____________mm
MAN FISH (continuous)
The man was fishing with relaxation
and enjoyment
Alphabet
Gestures and sign languages
THINK

Handshape closed fist with index


finger extended
Orientation facing signer's body
Location tip of finger in contact with
forehead
Movement unidirectional single
contacting movement
Gestures and sign languages
DISAPPOINTED

Handshape (as for THINK)


Orientation (as for THINK)
Location tip of finger in contact with
chin
Movement (as for THINK)

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