1. ASL Grammar Basic but Supersized

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

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

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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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.

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