1. Handshape & ABC Stories
How they impact the Deaf Community

2. Handshape Stories
Handshape stories are one form of creative play with ASL.
In handshape stories all the signs used must be chosen and ordered according to specific rules.

3. 3 Kinds of Handshape Stories
ABC Stories
Number Stories
One handshape stories

4. ABC Stories
ABC Stories are told using signs in the handshapes of each letter of the manual alphabet, starting with A and ending with Z.
This involves using a pattern from English, with signs from ASL.
ASL signs usually have no relationship to the English letter except for the handshape used.

5. Number Stories
Number stories are similar to ABC stories, but use signs in the handshapes of ASL numbers from 1 to 10, 15, or 20.

6. One-Handshape Stories
In one-handshape stories the performer recites a story or poem using only signs in a single handshape.

7. How are handshape stories made?
Just as spoken languages are made up of different sounds in various combinations, signed languages are made up of certain handshapes that occur in different locations, with various movements and orientations.
All signs can be analyzed in terms of their parameters: handshape, movement, location, palm orientation and NMS.

8. A few things to know…
Not all possible handshapes, movements or locations are acceptable in ASL.
There are ASL handshapes other than those of the letters of the English alphabet.
It is the constraint on handshapes- the strict order required- that provides the challenge in creating a handshape story.

9. ABC Stories
The form of ABC stories is traditional, but the stories themselves vary.
The most common types are risqué, humorous, or horror stories, especially among young people, but they may also relate to everyday experiences in a way that entertains and delights the listener.
ABC stories may be passed on from one group to another, often with creative alterations or new twists.

10. Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
LOVE
HEART
SWEETHEART
FALL-IN-LOVE
FLOWERS
BOX-OF-CHOCOLATE
BECOME
FLIRT
JEWELRY
RELATIONSHIP
SWEETS
CUPID
CUTIE/BABY
CARD
HAPPY
FEELINGS
EMOTIONS
ROMANCE
KISS
CANDLE

11. Creating a Handshape Story
You will create a handshape story with a Valentine’s Day theme.
You may choose one of the following types of handshape story to sign:
ABC Story
Number Story
One-Handshape Story
Or; create a saying and signing the letters as an ABC story

12. Example
H- “he” A- “heart beat” P- two-of-us P- person-sees-us Y- Oh-I-see V- Valentine L- Fall-in-love E- emotions N-”admire- her” T- “it’s time” I- “I” N- “kneel” E- “engagement ring” S- “open box” D- pull-out-ring A- “head turn” Y- YES!

13. Now it’s your turn!
Create a handshape story and valentine for someone special in your life.
i.e.- your mom, dad, girl friend, boyfriend, grandma, grandpa, friend, aunt, uncle, etc….
Use markers, colored paper and glue to create your valentine and write your handshape story on it.
We will be presenting these tomorrow in class. 