Hand-shapes and movement in asl serve as
parameters
words and sounds
look and feel
communication tools.
In American Sign Language (ASL), hand-shapes and movement serve as parameters. Parameters are the specific elements that can be modified to convey different meanings in sign language. They include hand-shapes, movement, palm orientation, location, and facial expressions.
Hand-shapes refer to the different positions and configurations of the hands. Each hand-shape represents a specific letter, number, or concept in ASL.
Movement refers to how the hands move while producing signs. It can include different directions, speeds, repetition, or specific patterns of movement.
These parameters, along with palm orientation (the direction the palm faces), location (where the sign is produced in relation to the body), and facial expressions (used to convey grammatical and emotional information), all work together to create a comprehensive and expressive language.
In summary, the hand-shapes and movement in ASL serve as parameters, which are essential components in conveying meaning within the language.
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Hand-shapes and movement in ASL serve as parameters.
In American Sign Language (ASL), hand-shapes and movement serve as parameters. Parameters are the building blocks of ASL signs and are used to convey meaning. They consist of five elements: hand-shape, movement, location, palm orientation, and non-manual markers.
Hand-shape refers to the specific configuration of the fingers and hand. Different hand-shapes convey different concepts in ASL. For example, a closed fist can represent the concept of "anger," while an open hand with fingers spread can represent the concept of "open."
Movement refers to the motion or action made by the hand or hands during the signing process. It can include various types of movements, such as a single or repeated motion, a smooth transition between signs, or a flick or shake of the hand.
Location refers to the specific place where the sign is produced in relation to the body or the signing space. Different signs are produced in different locations, such as near the face, on the chest, or to the side.
Palm orientation refers to the direction the palm is facing while producing a sign. It can be facing up, down, towards or away from the signer, or towards a specific location or person.
Non-manual markers include facial expressions, head movements, and body posture. These are important features in ASL as they convey grammatical information and help indicate the tone or emotion behind a sign.
Together, these parameters combine to form meaningful signs in ASL, enabling signers to communicate with each other.