American Sign Language The Basics

American Sign Language

•“ A sign is a gesture or movement that conveys a concept. Each sign is made with a specific hand configuration or handshape, placed at various locations on or near the signer’s body. If the handshape , movement, or location changes, the meaning of the sign also changes.”

EYE CONTACT

• ASL is a visual language

• While conversing in ASL one MUST maintain full eye contact

• Do NOT look at the signers HANDS

• Meaning will be lost if eye contact is broken

Body Locations

• Signs are made from the top of the head down to the torso

• Imagine a rectangle being drawn from your head down to your torso.

• Signs must be made within this rectangle or they become difficult to see and meaning will be lost.

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