1. ASL I Unit 1

2. Parameters What are Parameters?
Parameters are the parts that make up a sign.
5 Parameters:
Handshape
Movement
Palm Orientation
Location/Placement
NMS (Non-Manual Signal- “Facial Expressions”)

3. Handshape
When identifying the handshape of a sign, remember it will either be a letter or number.
Example:
Sign: I/ME
Handshape: 1

4. Movement
When identifying the movement of a sign, describe how the sign is made.
Example:
Sign: WHERE
Movement: Shake back and forth

5. Palm Orientation
When identifying the palm orientation of a sign, look at your palm and describe which way it is facing.
It will either be: IN, OUT, UP, DOWN, SIDE
If a sign changes palm orientations, tell where the palm starts.
Example:
Sign: WHEN
Palm Orientation: Up

6. Location/Placement
When identifying the location/placement of a sign, describe where the sign takes place.
If the sign is signed with two hands the exact same way, the location is “Neutral Space”.
Example:
Sign: WHEN
Location: Neutral Space
Some signs occur on the “non-dominant hand”.

7. NMS
When identifying the NMS of a sign, describe what your face is doing during the sign.
Example:
Sign: WHO
NMS: Eyebrows down, “oo” mouth

8. I/ME Parameters: Handshape: 1 Movement: Inward Palm Orientation: In
Location/Placement: Chest
NMS: None

9. Key Phrases
YOU NAME WHAT?
NICE MEET-YOU

10. SAME

11. DIFFERENT

12. DRAW

13. WRITE

14. REVIEW
YOU NAME WHAT?
NICE MEET-YOU.
SAME
DIFFERENT
DRAW
WRITE

15. I/ ME

16. YOU

17. MY/ MINE

18. YOUR/YOURS

19. NAME

20. FINGERSPELL

21. YES

22. NO

23. WHO

24. WHAT

25. WHEN

26. WHERE

27. WHY

28. HOW

29. HUNGRY

30. THRISTY

31. TIRED

32. HAPPY

33. SAD

34. TOILET

35. PLEASE

36. THANK YOU

37. SORRY

38. HELLO

39. BYE

40. Ask Your Partner WHAT YOU NAME? – (Respond) WHERE TOILET? – (Respond)
WHO YOU? – (Respond)
HOW YOU? – (Respond)
YOU HUNGRY? – (Respond)
YOU HAPPY? – (Respond)