Writing ASL Gloss Sentences: A Breakdown
ASL gloss is a written representation of American Sign Language, using English words and some special symbols to capture the signs, movements, and expressions. Here's a guide to writing ASL gloss sentences:
1. Basic Structure:
* Word Order: ASL follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order. However, it often uses topic-comment structure where the topic is established first.
* Capitalization: Capitalize the first word of a sentence and proper nouns.
* Punctuation: Use punctuation marks like commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points as in English.
* Spacing: Use spaces between words and signs.
2. Symbols and Conventions:
* Numbers: Use numbers to represent numbers. (e.g., 5, 10)
* Time: Use "TIME" followed by a number to indicate time. (e.g., TIME 10:00)
* Locations: Use "LOC" followed by a sign or word to indicate location. (e.g., LOC TABLE)
* Classifiers: Use "CL" followed by a letter to represent specific handshapes. (e.g., CL:B for a flat hand, CL:5 for a spread hand)
* Facial Expressions and Body Language: Use symbols like "+" (positive), "-" (negative), and ">" (intensification) to denote facial expressions. Use "BODY" followed by a word or phrase to indicate body language. (e.g., BODY-LEAN FORWARD)
3. Examples:
* "I am happy." --> "I HAPPY."
* "What is your name?" --> "YOU NAME WHAT?"
* "I live in New York City." --> "I LIVE LOC NEW YORK CITY."
* "The cat is on the table." --> "CAT LOC TABLE."
* "I like to eat pizza." --> "I LIKE EAT PIZZA."
* "It is hot outside." --> "OUTSIDE HOT."
4. Tips for Writing Effective ASL Gloss:
* Keep it simple: Focus on conveying the meaning and avoid using overly complex gloss.
* Use context: Pay attention to the context of the sentence to understand the nuances of the signs.
* Practice: The more you practice writing ASL gloss, the better you will become at capturing the nuances of the language.
5. Remember:
* ASL gloss is a written approximation of ASL, not a perfect transcription.
* It's important to understand that ASL is a visual language, and gloss cannot fully capture all the aspects of the sign language, such as the use of facial expressions and body language.
Additional Resources:
* The Dictionary of American Sign Language (DASL) - https://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/topics/
* SignBank - https://signbank.org/
* ASL University - https://www.asluniversity.com/
By using these guidelines and resources, you can learn how to write ASL gloss sentences and communicate more effectively with Deaf individuals.