A collection of research about ASL Stories with Constraints.

1. ASL Stories with
Constraints
Research By: Olivia Hoyt

2. Introduction to ASL Storytelling
ASL storytelling is an un-writable language. The visual nature of American Sign Language gives way
for space to be a linguistic medium that cannot be properly portrayed in a written form.
Storytelling with constraints in ASL uses specific handshapes to create a visual story. The way these
handshapes are used in ASL storytelling with constraints would not properly be able to tell the same
story if in a written form.
There is a beauty to the art of ASL storytelling.

3. Oral Vs. ASL Storytelling
With verbal language, it is possible to tell a story without using your hands or without showing
emotion. With ASL, these elements are essential. ASL opens up a completely new way of telling
stories. Signing allows you to use your body and the space around you to set the stage, introduce
characters, and show action in fun and creative ways.
Oral stories can also be written down, and passed between generations through written form. ASL
stories cannot be passed down this way. In the past, ASL stories could only be passed down in a live
form. Meaning a storyteller had to sign the story to someone else, who had to remember the story in
order to continue to share it with others. In more modern times, ASL stories are being video
recorded. They are being saved and shared via social media.

4. Reasons ASL Stories are Important for
Children:
1. To help children develop an appreciation of literature through critical exposure to
the stories of other deaf people.
2. To nurture the child’s awareness of ASL.
3. To help children with developing fluency in ASL from using ASL stories.
4. To help children find creativity in ASL production.

5. Types of ASL Stories with Constraints:
● ABC
● Number
● One- Handshape

6. What are ABC Stories?
An ABC Story is told in ASL using classifiers that go straight through the alphabet to tell a story.
Stories can go A-Z or vice versa. Many of the best ABC stories have a problem or conflict in the
beginning and finish up with a resolution. ABC stories should be kept in order, so don't skip from B to
F to D.
ABC storytelling is a very traditional mode of portraying an ASL story.
To the left is a description of what ASL stories are followed by an
example ASL story. This video is sponsored by MasterWord Services,
and is told by Cody Francisco. There is voice interpretation.

7. Poets and their ABC Works:
“Checkmate!”- By: Rob Nielson
● “Class Reunion”- Ben Bahan
● “Unexpected Visitors”- Stefanie
Ellis- Gonzales
● “Story on Gallaudet”- Benjamin
Lewis

8. Poets and their ABC Works:
● “No Guarantee in Poker”- CJ Jones
● “Indiana Jones’s Escape” - Ben
Jarashow
● “Titanic” - Patrick Fischer
● “The Climb”- Wesley Stoehr
● “Frankenstein and Haunted House”-
Ben Jarashow
“The Creator”- J Philip

9. What are ASL Number Stories?
An ASL Number story uses numbers
as classifiers to create a story. The
numbers go numerically in order,
and a story is created. Usually using
numbers 1-10,15 or 20.

10. Poets and their ASL Number works:
“Dragon”- Douglas Ridloff
● “Buccaneer”- Unknown
● “Halloween”- Kris Colvin
● “Sick Day”- Brandan Upchurch
● “Catwalk”- Tommy Korn

11. Poets and their ASL Number Works:
“Dancing with the Stars”- Douglas
Ridloff
“Sad Story” - Unknown

12. What are One- Handshape Stories?
One-handshape stories are stories
that use only a single handshape
throughout the entire story.
This type of ASL storytelling is also
known as “Alliteration” signing.
“3”, “Rooster”- Ian Sanborn.
The second half of the video is ABC story “What
does the cat think of a dog”- Ian Sanborn.

13. Poets and their ASL One-Handshape
Works:
● “Terribly Misunderstood”- Tom
Holcomb
● “Zombie”- Logan Chow
“At the Movies”- Peter Quint

14. Popular ASL Storytellers who have videos
with Constraints:
● Ian Sanborn
● Matt Malzkuhn
● Rob Nielson
● MJ Bienvenu
● CJ Jones
● Tom Holcomb
● Douglas Ridloff
● Ben Bahan

15. Helpful Websites & References:
● https://www.handspeak.com/study/index.php?id=47
● https://www.verywellhealth.com/sign-language-abc-stories-1046231
● http://deafstudiesonline314.weebly.com/unit-6-stories-with-handshape-constraints.html
● Facebook “ASL 1-10 Stories”
● https://lithub.com/at-home-in-deaf-culture-storytelling-in-an-un-writable-language/
● http://deafchildren.org/2019/04/asl-storytelling/

16. Helpful Youtube Pages:
● “ASLTHAT”
● “colorofsign”
● “DawnSignPress DSP”
● “SVRS”

17. Where to Purchase ASL Constraint
Stories:
● http://store.signmedia.com/1364.html
● https://www.amazon.com/ABC-Stories-ASL-DVD/dp/B004M28N9C?tag=verywellhealth-
20&ascsubtag=1046231%7Cn52abe068a8b648efa002e53de3aaf0fa19
● https://dcmp.org/media/1299-beginning-asl-videocourse-6-read-any-good-fingers-lately