Major Parameters in American Sign Language

Handshape-

ASL has handshapes that are both similar and different from other signed languages.  An example is that we tend not to use our middle finger as a handshape, due to the negative connotations it gesturally has in the English language.  However, in Japanese Sign Language, this is a legitimate handshape (Cokely & Baker-Shenk, 1997).  

How many handshapes are there in ASL? 

Lapiak reports that "originally, the Dictionary of American Sign Language by Stokoe et al. listed 19 handshape primes in the 1960s."  Now, over 50 prime handshapes have been identified.  Although a consensus has not been reached on a specific total number.  

The below images illustrate many of the handshapes found in ASL (Tennant et al., 2002):

Marked and Unmaked Handshapes-

In any signed language, handshapes that are easy to produce are more commonly used.  ASL has both marked and unmarked handshapes (Cokely & Baker-Shenk, 1997).  

• Unmarked handshapes:  These handshapes are the most natural and the easiest to learn.  Deaf children tend to learn unmarked handshapes first, due to them developing both their fine and gross motor skills.
  • Example unmarked handshapes: 5, 1, open-A, open-B, O, S
• Marked handshapes: These handshapes are inherently harder to form and are used less frequently.  In ASL, marked handshapes are used in fewer than 7% of signs.  However, most signed languages use marked handshapes even less.  
  • Examples marked handshapes: X, 7, R, T, E, 8, G

Use of Classifiers-

Classifiers are signs that use handshapes that are associated with specific categories of size, shape, or usage (Vicars, 2006).  Many classifiers are well-known (to those who know ASL) to mean certain types of things, shapes, amounts, or sizes.  The movement and placement of a classifier handshape is used to convey additional information about the referent.  Classifiers tend to mimic the general shape and movement of the objects to which they refer.  When using a classifier handshape, remember that your location/object needs to introduced prior to using the classifier.

Classifiers can be used to:

• help to clarify your message
• replace a noun
• highlight specific details
• provide an efficient way of conveying information 
• describe the size and shape of an object
• represent the object itself
• demonstrate how the object moves
• convey how it relates to other objects and or people

Some types of classifiers include:

• Things (objects, people, animals, vehicles, etc.)
• Shapes (including outlines, perimeters, surfaces, configurations, gradients, etc.)
• Sizes (amount, largeness, smallness, relative size, volume, etc.)
• Usage (movement paths, speed, interactions, etc.)
  

There are a vast amount of classifier handshapes and ways in which they can be used.  The below images were retrieved from StartASL to showcase some real-word examples of classifiers in use:

A more extensive list of classifier handshapes and their uses was also compiled by Vicars (2006).

Movement-

Movement in ASL refers to changing location in the physical space during sign production (Hom, 2021).  During movement, signs can change location (i.e., one or both hands move(s) from one location to another), direction, and handshape (i.e., one or both hands change(s) handshape in mid-sign).  Movement can occur in the arm, wrist, finger or elbow.  

• Types of movement include: arc, straight line, circle, alternating in-and-out, up-and-down, back-and-forth, tapping, twist of the wrist, finger flick, single, double, multiple, wiggle, strike.
• Classifications of movements include:
  • Unidirectional - one smooth long movement
  • Bidirectional - 2 hand movements
  • Reduplicated/repeated - movement is repeated
  • Oscillating- movement is back and forth

Here is an example of signs with the same handshape, palm orientation and location, but different movement, which changes the meaning -

• Happy and Enjoy (Sprinkle, 2022):

Movement-Hold Model-

Liddell and Johnson's Movement-Hold Model explains their claim that signs have hold and movement segments that are produced sequentially (Lucas & Valli, 2001).  Signs may have a change in handshape, location or both.  However according to this model, these changes only occur during a movement segment.  This model breaks down phonological processes and describes that is happening during the process of signing. 

Location-

This refers to the physical space where signs are made; all within the signer’s space (Cokely & Baker-Shenk, 1997).  During a sequence of signs, where the sign touches the body is sometimes referred to as the focal site.  Signs can be located in neutral space inside the signing window or on the body.  

• Common locations for signs include: chin, forehead, shoulder, and front of body.

The image below (RealASL, 2022), details several locations in which signs can occur.

Palm Orientation-

This refers to the direction the palm faces (e.g., up, down, left, right, outward, inward) during the articulation of a sign (Cokely & Baker-Shenk, 1997).  Changing the palm orientation of a sign sometimes changes the meaning and other times does not.  

Here is an example of signs that have different palm orientation, but are similar in other parameters-

• Things and children:
  • These signs use the same handshape and location, but they differ on palm orientation.  They have similar movements, as well, although 1 sign has 2 hands actively moving while the other only has 1.