ASL Classifiers | Describing Things in ASL

Summary

This video script delves into the unique aspect of American Sign Language (ASL): classifiers. Classifiers are handshapes that symbolize objects, their size, shape, and usage. The script introduces eight types of classifiers, focusing on 'thing' classifiers, which represent objects, people, and animals. It explains how to indicate what an object is, such as differentiating a 'person' classifier to represent a man. The video also covers shape and size classifiers, using examples like showing the outline of a picture or a box. It further explores how classifiers can describe clothing and how they can be used to depict movement, like a vehicle in motion. The script encourages viewers to explore more about classifiers in ASL conversations and stories.

Takeaways

• 📚 Classifiers are a unique aspect of American Sign Language (ASL) that represent objects, their size, shape, and usage.
• 🔢 There are eight classes of classifiers in ASL: semantic, descriptive, instrument, element, locative, body, body part, and plural classifiers.
• 👤 The 'thing' classifier represents objects, people, and animals, and it's crucial to set up what the classifier represents before using it.
• 🚗 The 'vehicle' classifier, represented by the number 3 on its side, can depict various modes of transportation like cars, motorcycles, boats, or submarines.
• 👥 The 'two' classifier can represent two people or a person's legs when flipped upside down.
• 🛠 Shape and size classifiers focus on the outline and volume of objects, often accompanied by mouth morphemes to indicate size.
• 👕 Descriptive classifiers can detail clothing features, such as stripes on a shirt, using specific handshapes like the number 4 or the letter G.
• 🎭 Usage of classifiers involves their representation in movement or interaction, as illustrated in the 'gum story' video.
• 🚶‍♂️ Classifiers can show different manners of movement to represent actions or characteristics of people, like a little boy or an older man.
• 🚘 The vehicle classifier can demonstrate various vehicle movements, such as driving, racing, or colliding, by changing its motion.

Q & A

What is a classifier in ASL?

A classifier in ASL is a handshape that represents an object, its size, shape, and even its usage.

How many classes of classifiers are there according to the signing naturally curriculum?

According to the signing naturally curriculum, there are eight classes of classifiers: semantic, descriptive, instrument, element, locative, body, body part, and plural classifiers.

What is the purpose of indicating the classifier before using it?

Indicating the classifier before using it helps to clarify what the classifier represents, such as specifying that a certain classifier represents a man rather than a general person.

Can you give an example of how classifier one is used to represent a person?

Classifier one can represent a person, but to specify the person as a man, you would set up the classifier by indicating the person's gender before using it in a sentence.

What does classifier three represent when used on its side?

Classifier three, when used on its side, can represent a vehicle such as a car, motorcycle, bus, or even a boat or submarine.

How can classifier two represent both people and body parts?

Classifier two can represent two people, but when turned upside down, it can represent a person's legs.

What is the focus of the category that describes shapes and sizes?

The category focusing on shapes and sizes is concerned with describing the outline or perimeter of an object, as well as its volume or size.

How do mouth morphemes play a role in using size and shape classifiers?

Mouth morphemes are used alongside size and shape classifiers to indicate the size or volume of the object being represented, such as showing something as small, big, or medium.

What is an example of a classifier used to describe clothing?

The number four classifier can be used to show stripes on a shirt, and the letter G classifier can show a stripe down the arm of a shirt.

How can classifiers be used to represent movement or interaction?

Classifiers can be used to represent movement by mimicking the motion of an object, such as a car driving or racing, or interaction by showing how objects or people are related or connected in a narrative.

What is the gum story and why is it significant for understanding classifiers?

The gum story is a well-known video that uses classifiers and mannerisms to tell a narrative. It is significant for understanding classifiers because it demonstrates how classifiers can be used to represent different people and their actions in a story.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to ASL Classifiers

This paragraph introduces the concept of classifiers in American Sign Language (ASL), which are handshapes that represent objects, their size, shape, and usage. The video aims to teach the basics of classifiers with examples. Classifiers are divided into eight classes: semantic, descriptive, instrument, element, locative, body, body part, and plural classifiers. The focus is on how classifiers represent objects, show shapes and sizes, and are used in signing. Examples include classifier one representing a person or an object, classifier three for vehicles, and classifier two for two people or a person's legs. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of setting up the context before using a classifier and how they can be manipulated to describe objects or their movements.

05:01

🚗 Classifier Usage in ASL Stories

The second paragraph delves into the usage of classifiers in ASL storytelling and conversations. It discusses how classifiers can represent movement and interact with each other to convey different meanings. The 'gum story' video is mentioned as an excellent example of using classifiers and mannerisms in ASL. The paragraph also covers how classifier three can represent various vehicle movements, such as driving, racing, or colliding. The video script encourages viewers to explore the list of classifiers provided and to observe their usage in ASL conversations and stories. The speaker invites feedback and requests for more information on classifiers, promising to continue teaching in future videos.

Keywords

💡Classifiers

Classifiers in ASL (American Sign Language) are handshapes that represent objects, their size, shape, and even usage. They are a fundamental aspect of ASL that distinguishes it from English. The video emphasizes that classifiers are essential for conveying specific information about objects in a signing context. For instance, the script mentions 'classifier one' to represent a person, highlighting how the same classifier can represent different entities based on the setup.

💡Semantic Classifiers

Semantic classifiers are a type of classifier that represents the meaning or category of an object. The video script divides classifiers into eight classes, with semantic classifiers being one of them. They are crucial for understanding the nature of the object being discussed in ASL, as they provide context to the signs being made.

💡Descriptive Classifiers

Descriptive classifiers are used to describe the size, shape, or other physical attributes of an object. The video explains how these classifiers can show the outline or perimeter of an object, as well as its volume, which is vital for conveying detailed information about objects in ASL.

💡Usage

Usage in the context of the video refers to how classifiers can represent the action or function of an object. The script gives examples of how the same classifier can be used to show different ways a vehicle might move, such as driving, racing, or colliding, demonstrating the dynamic aspect of classifiers in ASL.

💡Thing

In the video, 'thing' is used to describe a broad category of objects, people, and animals that classifiers can represent. It is a foundational concept for understanding how classifiers function in ASL, as it sets the stage for the more specific classifications that follow.

💡Shape

Shape is a key aspect that classifiers can depict, as highlighted in the video. It discusses how certain classifiers can be used to represent the shape or outline of an object, such as a board on a wall or a picture, emphasizing the visual aspect of communication in ASL.

💡Size

Size is another critical attribute that classifiers can represent, as explained in the video. It is used to convey the dimensions of an object, which is essential for clear communication in ASL. The script illustrates how the size of a classifier can be adjusted to show different sizes of objects.

💡Mannerisms

Mannerisms in ASL refer to the facial expressions and body language that accompany signs to add emotional or descriptive depth. The video mentions how mannerisms work in conjunction with classifiers, such as in the 'gum story' example, to represent different characters and their actions.

💡Movement

Movement is central to the use of classifiers in ASL, as it can indicate how an object is used or behaves. The video script provides examples of how classifiers can be moved to represent different actions, like a car driving or racing, showcasing the dynamic nature of ASL.

💡Plural Classifiers

Plural classifiers are a specific type of classifier used to indicate multiple objects or entities. While not explicitly detailed in the provided script, they are mentioned as one of the eight classes of classifiers, suggesting their importance in conveying plurality in ASL.

💡Body Classifiers

Body classifiers are used to represent parts of the body or actions related to the body. The video script touches on this by mentioning how a classifier can represent a person's legs, showing how classifiers can be used to depict body parts and actions in ASL.

Highlights

ASL is distinct from English due to its extensive use of classifiers.

Classifiers are handshapes that represent objects, their size, shape, and usage.

Classifiers are categorized into eight classes: semantic, descriptive, instrument, element, locative, body, body part, and plural classifiers.

Classifiers are used to represent objects, people, and animals.

It's crucial to set up the identity of the classifier before using it.

Classifier one can represent a person, and by setting up, it can specify a man.

Classifier three on its side represents vehicles like cars, motorcycles, buses, or submarines.

Classifier two represents two people or a person's legs when turned upside down.

Shape and size classifiers focus on the outline and volume of objects.

Classifier one can be used with both hands to show the shape and size of objects like a picture or a board.

The 'B' handshape classifier is used to represent the shape and size of a box.

Mouth morphemes are commonly used with size and shape classifiers to describe objects.

Classifiers can describe clothing features like stripes using the number four or the letter G classifier.

Usage of classifiers can involve movement or interaction, as shown in the gum story video.

Classifier three can represent different ways a vehicle moves, like driving, racing, or colliding.

Classifiers can be used in various forms and incorporated into ASL conversations and stories.

There are many more types and ways to use classifiers in ASL, encouraging further learning.

Transcripts

hey signers you've probably heard me say

how ASL is not English well a component

that makes ASL vastly different from

English is the extensive use of

classifiers what are classifiers exactly

well in this video I will teach you the

basics of classifiers along with

examples so let's learn how to sign

classifiers first what is a classifier a

classifier is a handshape that

represents an object the size or shape

of that object and even its usage

according to the signing naturally

curriculum it's divided into eight

classes semantic classifiers descriptive

classifiers instrument classifiers

element classifiers locative classifiers

body classifiers body part classifiers

and plural classifiers I am going to

focus on classifiers in the areas of a

thing how a classifier can show a shape

and a size and how a classifier is used

first let's start with things this is a

representation of objects people and

animals it's important to indicate what

the classifier is before using it so for

example if we have the classifier one

this right here can represent a person

but we don't know who this person is if

we don't set up who this person is

before so if I wanted to

say I have now said this person right

here is a man all right so this is

representing a man now later on I'll

teach you how you can make usage of this

classifier one another popular

classifier is the classifier three on

its side this is going to represent a

vehicle maybe in the form of a car or a

motorcycle or a bus it can even

represent something like a boat or a

submarine this right here can be

maneuvered in different ways that you'll

see whenever I talk about usage another

classifier is the classifier two this

two can represent two people but if you

turn it upside down it can represent a

person's legs as you can see from these

few classifiers they're representing

what the object is as we continue on

we'll describe a little bit more about

that object or about how that object can

be moved this next category is focusing

on shapes and sizes and for this it's

really focusing on description this can

show the outline or perimeter of

something along with the description of

the volume of something or how large or

small it is this category can get quite

extensive so here are a few ideas of

what can all be represented all right

remember that classifier one that we

just talked about well this classifier

one can be used with both of our hands

to show the shape of a board on a wall

or a picture as you can see I can change

the size of

it this is showing a shape or a size

another classifier that might be used is

the shape of the B and sometimes you'll

see it like this and this could be

making the shape of a box whether

it's

or it's showing the different shape and

the size of a box with size and shape

classifiers you will notice a lot of

mouth morphemes being used just like I

showed you before something

small something

big two something

medium another thing that you can do

with classifiers is to show a

description about maybe the clothing you

could use the number four classifier to

show stripes on a shirt or the letter G

classifier showing a stripe down the arm

of a shirt these all are showing

different shapes and sizes of things

that you see around or on somebody's

clothing and this can go even further

into more describing now let's talk

about the usage of classifiers you can

have a classifier be represented in the

form of movement or classifiers

interacting with each other in the

well-known video of the gum story it

uses the entrances and exits of this

classifier one but you can see how it's

varying in the representation of each

person that they're talking about for

instance it might be talking about the

little

boy or an older

man

or a very well-to-do

lady each time the classifier one is

used but what you'll notice is the

movement of how I'm moving that

classifier along with my mannerisms to

go with it if you don't know the gum

story go and look it up it's a great

representation of using classifiers and

mannerisms in ASL remember that

classifier three that represented a

vehicle well this classifier three can

be moving in different ways to show how

a car would move maybe the car is

driving through the

road maybe it is racing another car or

maybe it got in a collision this

classifier 3 can represent so many

different ways a car or a vehicle can

maneuver there are so many different

forms of classifiers that can be

incorporated within usage

we have made a list of varying

classifiers down below go and check them

out and see how each of them can be

represented now that you've seen the

basics of classifiers go and see all the

ways that they are already used in ASL

conversations and stories there are many

more types and ways to use them so if

you want to learn more let me know down

in the comments and until next time keep

learning how to sign