Sign Space and Dominance - Facial Expression, Precision, and ASL Basics

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel

Instructional content on American Sign Language fundamentals, focusing on sign space and dominance, including how to select and consistently use the dominant hand for one-handed signs. Emphasizes that facial expression is the primary “voice” in ASL and clarifies effects of facial cues on meaning and questions versus statements. Provides guidance on precision, introduces the five parameters (handshape, palm orientation, location, movement, non-manual signals), and contrasts ASL grammar with English. Includes sample watch words and basic greetings with responses plus key everyday vocabulary.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages56

Reading Time2 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Sign Space and Dominance

Facial Expression

Precision Is Important

Precision and the Five Parameters

Greetings and Responses

Vocabulary

Sign Space and Dominance 􀁹 The ASL Sign Space is approximately from waist to the top of the head. 􀁹 Dominance – Which Hand Do You Use . 􀁹 Use the hand you write with in a one-handed sign . 􀁹 This is your dominant hand. 􀁹 Ambidextrous? Choose one hand and stick with it. FACIAL EXPRESSION 􀁹 More important than anything else in sign language is facial expression . 􀁹 Without facial expression, your “voice” is 􀁹 M-O-N-O-T-O-N-E 􀁹 Signers need to see your facial expression to know if you’re asking a question or making a statement. 􀁹 Hearing people might feel embarrassed at first. 􀁹 Don’t! You’re safe in here . No laughing at others allowed! Go ahead! Leave your inhibitions outside the door. Precision Is Important 􀁹 During class, watch me carefully! 􀁹 If you do not get the sign correctly,􀁹 you could be signing something else entirely. 􀁹WATCH: 􀁹 SUMMER 􀁹 UGLY 􀁹 DRY Precision and the Five Parameters 􀁹 Signs have five parts: 􀁹 Handshape 􀁹 I……………………...vs .…………….MY 􀁹 Palm Orientation 􀁹 NAME ……................vs .…………….CHAIR 􀁹 Location 􀁹 MOTHER …………....vs .……………FATHER 􀁹 Movement 􀁹 SNOW……………..…vs .……………RAIN 􀁹 Non-Manual Signals (facial expression) 􀁹 I UNDERSTAND ……vs .…………...I DON’T UNDERSTAND IS ASL ENGLISH??? 􀁹NOWAY! 􀁹 ASL has a completely different grammatical structure . 􀁹 For example: there is no word “BE”(or AM, ARE, IS) in ASL. 􀁹 ASL is NOT hand signals in English word order. Greetingsand Responses GREETINGS… Greetings (pg. 4) 􀁹 Most commonly used greetings among the Hearing and the Deaf 􀁹 Hi, hello 􀁹 What’s Up 􀁹 How are you? “How are you?”& “What’s Up” Vocabulary (pg. 5) 􀁹 To be busy 􀁹 Confused 􀁹 Fine 􀁹 To be good, well 􀁹 To be happy 􀁹 Nothing, not much 􀁹 Same old, the usual 􀁹 Sleepy 􀁹 So-so 􀁹 To be tired

FAQs

How do you determine a signer’s dominant hand in ASL?

Use the hand the signer writes with for a one-handed sign; that becomes the dominant hand. If the signer is ambidextrous, choose one hand and stick with it.

Why is facial expression critical in ASL?

Facial expression functions as the signer’s “voice.” Without it, others may not tell whether the signer is asking a question or making a statement.

What are the five parameters of ASL signs?

Handshape, palm orientation, location, movement, and non-manual signals (facial expression). Each part distinguishes one sign from another.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Mabel