1. A labeling system for American Sign Language
ASL GLOSS
A labeling system for American Sign Language

2. S L A merican ign anguage Is a visual, gestural, spatial language.
Is a “non-recorded” language that cannot be written like standard spoken languages.
Is the natural language used by Deaf people in North America.
Is a rich and unique language and is very different from English.

3. ASL Gloss Is not ASL in written form. Is not a language at all.
Is not a way of making ASL a written language.
Is not the only method of “writing” ASL.

4. ASL Gloss ASL gloss is VERY limited.
The “ILY” sign (because it uses the three letters I, L, and Y)
Can mean four different things:
1. “I love you” 2. AIRPLANE 3. TO-FLY AIRPORT

5. ASL Gloss Is intended to be used as a TOOL.
This tool is used to practice ASL Sentences.
These transcriptions are NOT English or ASL, but labels to be used to help learn ASL.

6. ASL Gloss
Gloss is usually confined to student use and not used outside the classroom.
The use of English symbols to write ASL sentences is ONLY intended to help the ASL student.

7. ASL Gloss
The use of English to represent American Sign Language signs is simply
a tool—
--no writing system for ASL has been adopted by the Deaf community.
In fact…
Most Deaf do not know what ASL Gloss is, and DON’T use it.

8. ASL Gloss Could be represented by the symbol:
The sign:
Could be represented by the symbol:
Meaning students would need to learn a whole new code for their new language.
Instead many ASL instructors have chosen to use capitalized English words to represent signs.
GAS

9. ASL Gloss =
GAS
Note that the use of the English word, GAS, in capitalized letters is only a SYMBOL a label referring to the sign.

10. ASL Gloss
vs.
The sign GAS is typically used for automobile or fuel gas.
The LOAN SIGN #GAS is used for Natural Gas (stoves or heaters).

11. Signs
are represented by English words in capital letters “called GLOSS”.
The gloss for the sign in this picture: GAS (for a car, lawn mower)
The gloss for the sign in this picture: DON’T-KNOW
It is hyphenated because it is a single ASL concept that requires TWO English words to correctly describe it.

12. GLOSS (label system) fill in the answers on your worksheet
1. A capitalized word represents a single American Sign Language sign.
Example:
2. Several capitalized words joined together by hyphens represent a single American Sign Language Sign.
3. Letters joined together by hyphens represent a fingerspelled word or abbreviation.
DEAF
GOOD
DON’T-UNDERSTAND
PUT-DOWN
A-N-N-E
P-H-I-L-L-I-P

13. GLOSS (label system) fill in the answers on your worksheet
4. A capitalized word preceded by the symbol, #, represents a lexicalized sign (loan sign).
Example:
(Dog, Yes, No)
5. The symbol, + +, indicates that the preceding sign is reduplicated.
Example: There are also grammar markers used:
6. Lines above ASL Gloss phrases indicate what Non-Manual grammar is to be used.
#DOG
#YES
#NO
AGAIN++
DIFFERENT++

14. GLOSS (label system) fill in the answers on your worksheet
______ y/n _______
SHE TEACHER SHE = =
_______ wh_______
YOU NAME WHAT = =
___ n ___
ME DEAF ME = =
ME STUDENT ME = =
___ t __
J-O-H-N, HE TALL HE. = =
Yes/No Question
Eyebrows up
WH Question
Eyebrows down
Negative Statement
Eyebrows down Headshake
Declarative/ Positive Statement
Head Nod
Topic Marker
Eyebrows up
Watch the demo of the four sentence types.

15. We will focus on simple statements for now and learn about ASL questions later.

16. YOUR HOMEWORK…

17. Use your 10 ABC-1 Sentences (1.1, 1.2, 1.3)
Remember 4 are questions 3 have FS names and you may also use negative statements:
Write in ASL GLOSS
We will do the first few together as a class, then you may work together and help each other. Use a closing signal and write with the correct Gloss Markers.
_____n___ (head shake) I SAD I.
I am not sad.

18. Sentences Set 1: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. You are a hearing person.7. 8. 9.
10.
You are a hearing person.
He is nice.
They are tired.
She is a student.
You are all deaf.
We are confused.
I am happy.
You are mad.
He is sad.
She is a teacher.

19. Sentences Set 2: 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. We are tall
She is furious.
They are sleepy.
He is strong.
I was surprised.
It is a cool breeze.
You are all weak.
It is warm.
It is light.
She is beautiful.