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Multiple Meanings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=202-

hHdEyeM

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2011

Classifiers in ASL

Part 2 of ASL 2 lecture, May 3, 2012

+Iconic signs and Classifier Descriptions

Many non-signers believe signing is “gestures in the air”- no!!!

There are some elements of ASL that are more iconic than others, and appear “gesture-like”- such as classifiers- but they are a part of the grammar

ASL has a complex grammatical system and has a structure more similar to spoken Chinese than English

One examples is the classifier system

+What are classifiers? Classifiers have no meaning on their own- they must be

used in conjunction with their noun

English has very few classifiers- (tons=? Stack=?) example: tons of homework, stacks of paper (and we can avoid using classifiers if we choose to do so)

In spoken Chinese: Flat objects (table, paper, bed) vs. thin objects, etc.

In ASL, we have a similar system

Classifiers show, for example, the shape, description, and number of items

In ASL, classifiers (classifier predicates) are required for certain expressions

+Predicates “The boy is sick.”

Subject Predicate

In ASL: _______t__

BOY IX SICK

Verb can lead the predicate

In this case, however, the adjective is the predicate (no verb “to be”)

ASL also has CLASSIFIER predicates

CAR CL (3): “drive up hill” = “The car is driving up the hill.”

+Classifier Predicates (classifiers)- a type of verbs (Valli) Use the 5 parameters (handshape,

movement, location, palm orientation, nonmanual signals)

Nonmanuals such as “thin”, “cha”, etc.

Classifier predicates have a location (3-d space)

The location tells where the object is

If the handshape moves, it shows the object’s destination (where it goes)

+Classifier Predicates (aka Classifiers):Handshapes that represent a concept (size, shape, function, etc.)

Glossed with a CL before the item

The handshape is after the : ---example: CL:3

The description in English is in “ “

Example: CL:3 “car rolls over”

+Classifier types in ASL: Entity (semantic classifiers)- items,- types of nouns-

CL:1 “person walking fast”, CL:bent-V “row of chairs”, CL:3 “car parks”

Instrumental- tools, such as scalpel, chisel (use your hand or part of body) – CL “play checkers”, CL “light match”, CL “garbage dump out”

Size and Shape Specifiers (descriptive classifiers): Depth and width -Perimeter shape, etc.

Locative classifiers- placement, spatial information- CL (5) “leaf floating on the ground”; CL:C, CL:B “place cup on napkin”

Body Part Classifiers -BPCL:F “look at”, BPCL “cross legs”, BPCL: flat C “grin”

+Classifier Predicates- Examples:

CL:F-small, round- e.g. polkadots, button, thin tube

CL:B- flat items-e.g. shelves, door, window

CL:1- linear items- eg.sticks, pencils, worm, person walking

CL-3- vehicles

CL:U- flat and rectangular items-e..g. diving board, tongue depressor, ribbon CL: bent-V - crouching animal, people sitting, etc.

CL (5 spread)- e.g. windy, ripples in a lake, etc.

+Size and Shape Specifiers (Valli p.81)

+Movement shows: eg. speed (Valli p. 91)

Other variations: up hill, two cars passing each other, surface pass person, etc.

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Classifiers are:

Test Question:

Classifiers are—

A.Signs that are similar to adjectivesB.Predicate Verbs that have no meaning on their own, but must be used with a nounC.Signs that are just gesturesD.Predicate gestures that have no meaning

+Test Question:Which of the following English expressions use classifiers to sign in ASL?

A.A. A person walking down the streetB.B. A stack of papersC.C. A barrellD.D. A scalpel (surgical tool)E.E. all of the above

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Test question:

What are SASS (descriptive classifiers)?A.A. Shape and Smoothness SignsB.B. Size and Sharpness of SignsC.C. Signs that are Surrounded by ShapeD.D. Size and Shape Specifiers

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The End!