Classifier Review

Today’s Objective: You will learn to define, recognize and use basic Semantic (pronoun) Classifiers and Body Classifiers in signed sentences and stories.

CLASSIFIERS CLASSIFIERS: WHAT ARE THEY? “Classifiers are hand shapes used in ASL to describe specific action, motion, shape, size, location, and additional information needed to convey concepts accurately and fully. They are not signs, but are used to describe and give signs life. Sandra Heflin MA

CLASSIFIERS CLASSIFIERS: WHAT ARE THEY? Whole sentences can be portrayed with just the movement of a classifier. One classifier can represent many similarly shaped objects, which makes it necessary to first sign what the object is, then use the classifier to describe where it is located, how it moves or where it moves, how thick or think big or little it is.” Sandra Heflin MA

Summary  Classifiers are unique to ASL  So classifiers are not specific signs (vocabulary).  Some classifiers are used as pronouns. These are called “Semantic Classifiers” (old books Pronominal Classifiers)  Others are used as adjectives. These are called S.A.S.S. classifiers (also referred to as Descriptive classifiers,DCL)  Classifiers can show verb action. (with movement)  Classifiers can function as prepositions (show relational location).  Most important rule: Always identify a classifier when you use it.

Walk with CL: BB,1,and /\ CL:BB (to represent feet) Directions: use CL:BB to show the following:  Place both feet together  Put right foot in front of left foot  Tap left foot several times  Lift their toes (with heels on the ground) Signing Naturally Level 1 Last year we learned:

Walk with CL: BB,1,and /\ CL:BB (to represent feet and show action)  Shuffle  Stroll  Walk pigeon toed  Walk on tip toes  Duck walk (like Charlie Chaplain)  Hobble (with injury)  Wobble (from high heels) Signing Naturally Level 1 Last year we learned:

Walk with CL: BB,1,and /\ CL:11 ( to represent legs with two hands)  Limp  Stagger  Prowl  Tiptoe  Waddle  Walk backwards  Walk sideways Signing Naturally Level 1 Last year we learned:

Walk with CL: BB,1,and /\ CL:/\ to represent legs  Jump up  Leap  Cartwheel  Fall down on back side  Trip and fall forward CL:1 to represent upright body  Zoom  Waddle  Zigzag  Pacing  Go in circles Signing Naturally Level 1 Last year we learned:

Common Semantic Classifiers CL:1, an upright person, or cylindrical object such as a pencil or light pole CL:2, to show 2 people walking, also to show eyes looking around CL: 3, to show a vehicle CL: /\, to show legs walking CL: /\ scrunched, to show a small critter

Using the SemanticCL:1 show: 1. The boy came straight to me very fast. 2. I went off to the right. 3. The girl walked up to me and then turned away quickly. 4. I walked straight ahead slowly and then came back.

Using two hands with the CL:1 or CL:/\ show: 1. The girl and I went away in opposite directions. 2. I followed the man as he walked around the corner. 3. I walked around the woman who was standing still. 4. The dog followed the cat to the right and left 5. The man and woman walked past each other very slowly. 6. The cat came up to me and I pet it. Note: to show a small animal use CL:/\ but scrunch your fingers. (Some books will write this as a v with 2 dots above it)

Using the Semantic CL:1 or SCL:2 to show: 1. The two couples met and walked off together. 2. I walked up to the man and woman who were standing together. 3. Two women came up to me on my right. 4. The two men walked toward me and then quickly turned away. 5. The two girls followed the woman. Note: When using a 2,3, 4 (number) etc. to show how many people, this is also referred to as a Plural Classifier (PCL).

Using the Semantic CL: 3 and SCL:1 to show:  The man walked up to the driver’s side of the car.  The taxi pulled to the side of the road and the lady got in.  The car stopped so that the girl could cross the street.  The bus swerved to miss the boy in the road.

Bus Stop Riddle  Working in groups of 2.  Watch the bus stop riddle  Write down the semantic classifiers he uses and what he uses them for. Link  How did you know what they represented?  If you aren’t able to download and watch the video, go to youtube and search “Signing Naturally Bus Stop Riddle” and choose one of the several versions to watch.

Semantic Classifiers or Body Classifiers A skilled signer will mix in a lot of Miming (acting out) along with use of Semantic Classifiers when telling a story. This acting out or miming of the action is called Body Classifiers. What is the difference between using Semantic Classifiers and using Body Classifiers (miming the action)? Let’s think again of the “Bus Stop Riddle.” How does the signer show the action (BodyCL) the bus turning the corner? How could you use a semantic classifier to show the bus turning the corner? Do you see the difference? When the bus comes to a stop; does the signer Mime (BodyCL) this along with a sign or use a Semantic Classifier to show this? Yes, he uses mime (BCL) along with the sign STOP. How could you sign it with a semantic classifier and mime combined?

Semantic Classifiers or Body Classifiers A skilled signer will mix in a lot of Miming (acting out) along with use of Semantic Classifiers when telling a story. This acting out or miming of the action is called Body Classifiers. What is the difference between using Semantic Classifiers and using Body Classifiers (miming the action)? Let’s think again of the “Bus Stop Riddle.”

Semantic Classifiers or Body Classifiers Let’s think again of the “Bus Stop Riddle.” How does the signer mime the action (BodyCL) the bus turning the corner? How could you use a semantic classifier to show the bus turning the corner? Do you see the difference?

Semantic Classifiers or Body Classifiers Do you see the difference? When the bus comes to a stop; does the signer Mime (BodyCL) this along with a sign or use a Semantic Classifier to show this? Yes, he uses mime (BCL) along with the sign STOP. How could you sign it with a semantic classifier and mime combined?

Characteristics of Classifiers:  Classifiers are integral part of American Sign Language. Classifiers represents a class of nouns and are used somewhat like pronouns.  Two handed classifiers can be used to represent different referents showing location and action.  Classifiers can be used as action verbs.  Classifiers can show spatial relationships.  Classifiers can show orientation of objects.  Classifiers can give information about singularity or plurality.  Classifiers called SASSes give size, shape, depth, shape and texture information about the object.  The upper body can be used as a classifier.  Classifiers can show how objects are used or handled.  The whole body can be used as a classifier through pantomime.  Locative Classifiers provides spatial and directional information. Brenda Aaron Courses/ASL%20223/ASL223ASLClassifiers.htm

Characteristics of Classifiers:  Classifiers are integral part of American Sign Language. Classifiers represents a class of nouns and are used somewhat like pronouns.  Two handed classifiers can be used to represent different referents showing location and action.  Classifiers can be used as action verbs.  Classifiers can show spatial relationships.  Classifiers can show orientation of objects. Brenda Aaron Courses/ASL%20223/ASL223ASLClassifiers.htm

Characteristics of Classifiers:  Classifiers can give information about singularity or plurality.  Classifiers called SASSes give size, shape, depth, shape and texture information about the object.  The upper body can be used as a classifier.  Classifiers can show how objects are used or handled.  The whole body can be used as a classifier through pantomime.  Locative Classifiers provides spatial and directional information. Brenda Aaron Courses/ASL%20223/ASL223ASLClassifiers.htm

Functions of Classifiers:  Represents nouns and pronouns  SASSes-represents descriptive adjectives and adverbs  Number information-represents singularity or plurality.  Outlining-represents shapes and details that cannot be handled by SASSes  Locatives represents directional information and spatial relationships  Movement- represents the direction of how a classifier moves.  Instrument Classifier-represents how an object is handled  Body Classifier can represent nouns and the action of those nouns. Brenda Aaron Courses/ASL%20223/ASL223ASLClassifiers.htm

When do we use ASL Classifiers? We use ASL classifiers whenever we describe an object; an action or something that occurred; to give directions, to share information about the surroundings; and/or as part of a story i.e., to set the scene or to share characteristics etc. There are some basic rules:  To designate the referent of a classifier, a signer must either fingerspell or sign the referent before the classifier can be used. i.e, BALL GREEN YELLOW STRIPES.  To choose an appropriate classifier, there must be a relationship between the referent and the descriptive nature of that specific classifier.  To use SASSes appropriately the signer must incorporate proper non-manual signals.  To choose appropriate classifiers depends upon the referent and the signer’s intent of focus.  To use classifiers appropriately there should be a relationship between the real world experience and how the classifiers are expressed. Brenda Aaron Courses/ASL%20223/ASL223ASLClassifiers.htm

Classifiers: What we know so far, 1. Size and Shape Specifiers (SASSes) they describe certain physical characteristics such as size, shape, depth and texture of a noun as well as indicate its location in space. CL: 1 represent something that is round and thin like a pencil, a tree sapling, etc. CL: B: can represent a paper, a book or a pie. Palm orientation is often important here, if the palm is down, it indicates the object is facing down. CL: V: is made with a bent V can represent a chair, or a person who is seated. Also: CL: G trim, CL: C cup or cookie, CL: F small & round object etc. 2. Semantic Classifiers: that represent nouns and can indicate the location of that noun and its actions, that is, they stand for a particular group of nouns i.e., the ASL classifier CL: 3 can represent an inanimate land or water conveyance like a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, boat or submarine but not a horse or a person. There are some that are not represented by their iconic characteristics but are abstract representations. Some examples of Semantic Classifiers: CL: 3: a moving conveyance CL: 1 represents a person and the action of the person, can also represent the haunches and movement of various animals. CL:V upside down indicates a person and the action of the person i.e., walking 3. Body Classifiers: Using the body to represent a look or action i.e., a bird flying, a man with a 6- pack muscular body, a person behaving drunkenly, etc. Brenda Aaron Courses/ASL%20223/ASL223ASLClassifiers.htm