What are classifiers in ASL? Classifiers are handshapes that show appearance, location, and movement. They represent nouns and their functions. Classifiers are the heart and soul of ASL! Stories are made so much better when told by using Classifiers instead of signing each individual word!

Good Morning ASL III Voices off! Receptive Practice will resume next class Please be sure you’re bringing your binder everyday. Want to store it here? You can leave it on the shelf with the blue books every day. Be sure you’re taking it home to study! We will be more organized and learn new things from this moment on!

But we already learned this… Yeah…kinda! But, Did you know? There are 8 different types of classifiers in ASL You are aware of these, you have used them, and you have seen them, but you haven’t named them…YET! Classifiers aren’t just the handshape of the sign. For example, the word “family” is not a classifier, it is just a sign that happens to have an F handshape. You will be signing a song this semester, using ONLY classifiers! It will be SO MUCH FUN!!!  This means we need LOTS of practice!

Types of Classifiers in ASL There are 8 (eight) morphological types of classifiers in ASL: Size and Shape Specifiers Semantic Classifiers Body Part Classifiers Tool and Instrument Classifiers Body Classifiers Element Classifiers Plural Classifiers Locative Classifiers

Like I said… You have already had practice with each of these. You just haven’t given them a name yet!

Size and Shape Specifiers Size and Shape Specifiers: aka Descriptive Classifiers, aka SASS SASS can be portrayed as adjectives describing nouns, such as small, big, narrow, wide, short, long, thin, flat, round, thick, etc. CL: LL = flat, round (pizza, frisbee, plate) CL: G = thin (thin crust, dusty shelf, etc.)

Semantic Classifiers Semantic classifiers are more abstract handshapes that represent characteristics of the object. *Are usually used in topic sentence structures. They can be replaced by size and shape specifiers when using locatives, for example; showing cars in a parking lot, describing a drive up a mountain, explaining locations of items. CL:3 = vehicle, ship, bicycle, motorcycle CL:1 = a person standing, a pencil, a tree falling down

Body Part Classifiers Body Part Classifiers describe movement and positions of the part, such as limbs, eye movements, ears, hair, etc. CL: BB = dog ears CL: 11= person standing, running, etc. CL: FF = eye movement CL: U = dogs tongue

Tool & Instrument Classifiers Tool classifiers function as verbs, as in how to operate the tool. Instrument classifiers function as nouns, as in how the noun works.

Tool & Instrument Classifiers Tool & Instrument classifiers differ in 3 ways: 1. Tool = signed with slow, long, less repetitive movements. It shows the VERB (operation of the instrument; hammering) 2. Instrument = signed with fast, short, more repetitive movements. It shows the NOUN (the instrument is the hammer) 3. Tool classifiers are usually signed with facial grammar (mouth morphemes) while instrument do not except for topicalization.

Body Classifiers This type of classifier mainly uses visual/gestural communication skills as well as facial grammar, and/or the signer’s body to describe the action or tendencies of a person. A signer may use body classifier to describe how a baseball player pitches a ball or how a person walks. Use the entire body!

Element Classifiers This type of classifier describes things that do not have specific size or shape. They tend to be in constant motion such as weather or natural elements such as air, fire, wind, water, and light. CL: 5 = ocean waves, a burning forest, sun’s rays, candle burning, rain, etc.

Plural Classifiers Plural classifiers indicate a specific number. PCL: 2 two people walking PCL: 4 a long line of people waiting PCL: V people seated in a circle

Locative Classifiers Locative Classifiers are used to show placement or spatial information about an object. Sometimes locative classifiers can indicate movement. LCL: C / LCL: B place a cup on a napkin LCL: 5 leaf floating to the ground LCL: (2hands) :LL adjusting a picture frame

Incorporating Classifiers in ASL Always introduce the object as topic before using the classifier. Be creative! Remember, stories are much more interesting when told by using Classifiers. You will sign a song at the end of the semester…using only Classifiers  We will have work days in class to make sure you have it perfect!

Why are we going over this again? Next Unit: Cars Use classifiers to describe: Road Conditions Terrain Car Accidents Rules of the Road Traffic Violations Car Problems

Classifiers and Cars In groups of four (the people sitting next to you), think about the different types of Classifiers you just learned about. Remember, there are 8!! Create a scene in a car using 2 of the 8 classifiers. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CRASH INTO A WALL! It’s been done… You’re better than that, BE CREATIVE!

Homework! Next Class: Show and Tell You must bring in three items to class. You will sign how to explain all three items using three DIFFERENT Classifiers. For Example: I bring in a frisbee, a baseball, and a Barbie. I can explain the frisbee using a SASS Classifier, the game of baseball using a Body Classifier, and a Barbie using a Body Part Classifier. Be Creative!!! You need to know which three Classifiers you are using and practice how you will describe each before class.