When giving directions or showing the location of an object, it's important to use certain non-manual behaviors to show relative distance, trace the actual route to follow, and show the direction of turns.
Eye Gaze
As you trace a route, your eye gaze should follow that route to look at the places you describe. Along with the eye gaze, you should tilt your head in the same direction.
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Conveying Distance
Whether you're trying to show that something is far away, not too far away, or very close, there are a few non-manual behaviors required to properly convey the distance.
Far Away
1. Tilt head
2. Squint eyes
3. Open mouth slightly
4. Trace route: extend arm fully
Not Too Far Away
1. Tilt head
2. Purse lips slightly
3. Trace route: extend arm moderately
Very Near
1. Tilt head
2. Clench teeth, turn head to the dominant side with cheek almost touching shoulder
3. Trace route: keep hand close to body (don't extend arm)
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One thing that takes a lot of practice is to visualize the directions from the signer's perspective. If they're facing you, they're giving directions from their point of view, so you would need to flip it in your head.
PLEASE READ: About my Blog...
I am an ASL student at Algonquin College in Ottawa. The program uses the "Signing Naturally" textbooks, which are really quite difficult to follow. This is where my desire to create this blog came from. I wanted to create a resource that would act as a supplement to the textbook to fill in the blanks, and maybe just explain things in a different way to hopefully help my fellow students. I also wanted this to be helpful to people who want to learn ASL but who don't have the textbooks, so I have tried to re-explain key things from the text.
If you are a student, the posts have been labeled according to the level of ASL and the unit of the book. If you are not using the book but simply want to go through the posts in order, follow the labels entitled "Post".
I have found that there are many different signs that are used, and they vary from person to person, and from teacher to teacher. So I have included any differences I have learned, but this list is by no means comprehensive. I am sure I am not aware of all of the variations, so I have just posted what I know. Please do not use this site to override anything that you know. I am only just learning and am by no means a pro. That said, I am more than happy to hear any comments or suggestions, so please let me know if I have posted anything that is incorrect, or if you would like me to do something differently. This blog is intended to help you, so if there is a way it could be more helpful, I sincerely want to know!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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