5 parameters of ASL

1. The building blocks of
American Sign Language

2. What is a Language?
A system of symbols and
grammatical signals that
change across time.
Members of a community
share and use this language
to interact and to
transmit culture.

3. Spoken Languages
The basic building blocks of English
are These sounds (vowels,
consonants) are combined to
Words are combined to
which are combined to
If we change one of the building blocks,
the and the changes.
sounds.
form stories, etc.
form words.
form sentences,
word meaning
“st p” st + + po o

4. The Five Parameters of ASL:
• HANDSHAPE – There are 45 different handshapes in ASL
• LOCATION – The location (where on the body) of each sign
can change, and add grammatical information.
• MOVEMENT – The direction that the sign moves (away
from the body, towards the body) carries specific information.
Repetition of movement can have grammatical information.
• PALM ORIENTATION – Each handshape can change
orientation; the palm can face out, down, up, etc.
• FACIAL EXPRESSION – Many signs in ASL require a
non-manual signal in order to be produced correctly. Others
simply require the emotive facial expression to match the
meaning the signer is trying to convey.

5. Sign Parameters –
The parts of a sign
It is important for new signers to realize
that even a slight alteration of ONE of
the parameters can produce an
un-intended sign.
Watch the 2 video clips
Notice that a change in just one small
parameter will often produce a new sign.

6. Double click the black box to play video clip

7. Which one of the 5 parameters
changed?
Lets take a look at each sign individually

8. Sign: MOTHER
What are the Parameters for the sign:
MOTHER?
HS: __________________________
LOC: _________________________
MOV:_________________________
PO: _________________________
FACE EX: ______________________
(Non-Manual Signal)
Hand in shape of a 5
At the chin
Double tap
Palm faces out
Neutral

9. Sign: Father
What are the Parameters for the sign:
Father?
HS: __________________________
LOC: _________________________
MOV:_________________________
PO: _________________________
FACE EX: ______________________
(Non-Manual Signal)
Hand in shape of a 5
Side of the forehead
Double tap
Palm faces out
Neutral

10. • All the of parameters stayed the
same except the location of the
sign which changed the meaning
from MOTHER to FATHER.

11. Double click to play video clip

12. Which one of the 5 parameters
changed?
Lets again take a look at each sign
individually

13. Sign: Church
What are the Parameters for the sign:
Father?
HS: __________________________
LOC: _________________________
MOV:_________________________
PO: _________________________
FACE EX: ______________________
(Non-Manual Signal)
Hand in shape of a C
Back of wrist
Up and down bounce
Palm faces out
Neutral

14. Sign: Chocolate
What are the Parameters for the sign:
Father?
HS: __________________________
LOC: _________________________
MOV:_________________________
PO: _________________________
FACE EX: ______________________
(Non-Manual Signal)
Hand in shape of a C
Back of wrist
Circular movement
Palm faces out
Neutral

15. • All the of parameters stayed the
same except the movement of
the sign which changed the
meaning from CHURCH to
CHOCOLATE.

16. Parameter Practice

17. Pick 4 signs from session one
vocabulary list and practice
identifying the parameters of
each sign.

18. • SIGN __________
• HS –
• LOC –
• MOV –
• PO –
• NM –