ASL Grammar Basic but Supersized

Before we Begin ASL always gets rid of the stuff we don’t need: and, it, etc.

Topic Subject/Object is also known in ASL at the Topic This comes first in the sentence and if there are two, decide which is most important to you in regards to getting your message across Think of a picture, which topic/subject/object pops out at you

Drawing a Picture Step 1 First: you draw the most important thing/object/subject, which is often the noun in a sentence. For example a Topic – Dog

Comment/Relevant information After the topic/subject/object you add the relevant information about it Relevant information is known as the comment Comment/Relevant information can be: Size Color Collar Tail

Drawing a picture step 2 Top/Sub/Object – Dog Comment Relevant Information – Big Black

Environment Next you set up the environment You must set it up realistically to match your topic and the action that comes later

Drawing a picture Step 3 Topic/Subject/Object – Dog Comment/Relevant Information – Black Big Environment – Grass Outside

Action Action is also known as the Verb This comes after everything is set up Introduce the topic, describe the topic, and then indicate what the top/sub/obj is doing

Drawing a picture Step 4 Top/Sub/Obj – Dog Comment/relevant information – Black Big Environment – Grass Outside Action – Me See (the sign SEE coming from the SIGNER towards the signer’s dominant side means they are talking about someone, not something) Play

Time indicators or Tense Markers Past – Always goes at the beginning Future – Can go at the beginning or after the subject object but before the action Present – Is not necessary, because we live in the present. If you want to put the word Today in the front of a sentence you can to make sure there is no confusion. EX: Today school me go not

Time indicators Cont. If you have the actual time not just a tense marker you must always put it first. Noon today dog black big grass outside me see play.

Drawing a picture Step 4 Time Indicator - Yesterday Top/Sub/Obj – Dog Comment/relevant information – Black Big Environment – Grass Outside Action – Me See Play

Negation In English we say Don’t understand ASL the action comes first and then we negate it Understand Not

Drawing a Picture Step 5 Time Indicator - Yesterday Top/Sub/Obj – Dog Comment/relevant information – Black Big Environment – Grass Outside Action – Me See Play Negation - Not

NOTE!!!! Everyone has a different perspective and a different interpretation. Just follow the format and you should be fine in ASL. Just as with English, messages are conveyed differently.

Practice Take out a piece of paper Write your name, the hour, and the date I am going to show you several numbered English Sentences. I want you to number them and write them down in ASL Gloss Use the Rules I just mentioned. I will be collecting these and I will be grading them. Try your best

Ready, Set, Go The little girl and boy go to school every weekend. Later today our team goes out to eat and drink. The girl is coming to my house tonight to eat chicken. The people here didn’t understand the lesson.

Continued There is no communication in my family. The performance concluded at 7:30 pm. I am studying for final exams next week.