Fingerspelling,

Classifiers,
and Homographs OH MY!
Improving your ASL

Learning Objectives
You will be able to:
1. Describe the three methods used to improve fingerspelling
receptive skills.
2. Apply the use of ASL classifiers in conversation.
3. Employ the use of time in ASL conversation.
4. Demonstrate appropriate sign production based on the intent of
the English message.
5. Identify at least two resources/activities that can be used to
improve receptive and expressive abilities.

Expressive Fingerspelling

Practice Drills
ST
CH
TH
PH
SH
BL

DR
NK
NG
NT
UN
RO

GR
LY
GE
IL
ED
OY

IM
ID
EL
ND
GH
WH

Lexicalized Fingerspelling

CLUB
OWN
BACK
WHEN
WHAT
YES
SEX
OFFICE

BUS
EARLY
STYLE
GAY
BUT
DOG
CAR

Common Errors and Tips

Common production errors with the letters: D, E, G, H, J

Erasing words in the air
Were humans, not typewriters
Dont emphasize double letters so heavily
Fingerspell proper nouns.
Dont mouth the letters, but the word.
Economy of motion with letters: E, N, M

Receptive Fingerspelling

The Three Cs
Context
Configuration
Closure

Material credited to Joyce Groode

Context
Similar to context clues when learning how to read, its the same idea
for understanding fingerspelling.
If youre talking about a visit to a zoo, youll probably talk about
animals.
If youre talking about an ASL field trip to Washington D.C., what is
something that might come up?
If youre talk about going to a restaurant, what are some common
things you might discuss?

Configuration
Every letter has a shape.
Open: B, C, D, F, L, R, U, V, W, X, Y
Z
Closed: A, E, G, H, M, N, O, S, T
Lower: J, P, Q
Which is easier to read:
COMPUTER or SEAT?

Closure
Using context and configuration, your mind can help you fill in what
you see.
Topic: ______
Word: ______

Receptive Tips and Resources

Look at the signers face, not their hand.
Look for the shape/configuration.
Do LIVE practice.
http://www.asl.ms/
http://www.handspeak.com/spell/practice/
https://mediasite.video.ufl.edu/Mediasite/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fMedi
asite%2fCatalog%2fcatalogs%2fjshoafufledu-asl

Activity: Fingerspelling Mirror

Get into pairs

Classifiers

What is a classifier?
Used to:
Represent whole objects or people
Show how things are handled or used
Describe the parts of animate and inanimate things
Specify the size, shape, and texture of objects
Each classifier uses a specific handshape.
Classifier handshapes with movements can be used to express action.

How would you describe each of these balls?

How would you describe each of these

glasses?

Most Common Classifiers

CL:1 Long, skinny things
CL:3 Vehicles
CL: 4 Multiple items arranged a
certain way
CL: 5 Large groups
CL: 8 Kicking/explosive
CL: A Building/house/statue
CL: B Flat things
CL: C Round objects
CL: F Small round objects, buttons

CL: G Thin objects

CL: H Flat and narrow objects
CL: I Thin, long, string-like
CL: K Two long skinny round obj.
CL: L Square, flat things
CL: V Legs moving
CL: R Rope-like, braid, twist
CL: S Round, ball like object
CL: X Long, skinny, curved/bent obj.
CL: Y Very wide things, or have a
handle

Different types of accidents

Different types of clothing/accessories

The different sizes of pizza crust

A presidential inauguration with a large crowd

Fresh bacon

A hippo yawning

A horse jumping over a pole

Conceptually Accurate Signing

Homograph
Two or more words spelled the same, but not necessary pronounced
the same and having different meanings and origins.
The English language has a lot, and it affects the production of our
signs.

Examples

Discipline
Watch
Change
Hearing
Sex
Make

Cool
Light
Sign
Survey
Break
Absent

Some examples from Patrick Fischers 2016 Silent Weekend workshop.

Other Tips for ASL Students

Time in ASL
Most of us grew up with a linear language and sentences like I went
to the mall on Sunday.
American Sign Language does not have suffixes attached to signs.
I went to the mall on Sunday.
PAST SUNDAY, fs-MALL, I GO.

Practice Makes Perfect Better

Practice voice-off as much as possible. Most of the time, you wont be
speaking to a Deaf ASL user.
Remember that there are regional variations in signs. Dont be quick
to judge a sign when you see it.
Try to sign as much as possible. If you have roommates that know sign
language, start a voice-off rule.
Continue to build your vocabulary, look for resources outside of the
classroom theres a TON of free online resources.
Remember the place of hearing people in the Deaf community.
Get a mentor, especially a really good Deaf mentor.

Resources for Expressive and Receptive

Practice
http://www.tylergjames.com/dhhadvocacy/asl-student-resources/