Elements of a Sign - Also Called the Five Sign Parameters

Elements of a sign - Also called the Five Sign Parameters

A complete sign is a symbolic representation of a thing, action or concept. Each sign is made up of 4 distinct elements In order for a sign to convey the proper meaning, each of the elements must be done correctly. In spoken language, a unit of sound conveys meaning. In ASL, the parameters convey meaning.

1. Handshape

The shape or shapes in which we form or make our hand during the production of a sign.

There are over 50 different handshapes in ASL.

“A” – aunt , yourself “B” – blue “C” – hot “F” – soon “5” - farm

2. Movement

How the hands move; the action that makes the sign. Shows direction, emphasis & intensity.

Circle

Up/down

Forward/ backward

Size of motion

Speed of motion

Ex. up/ down, in/ out, come/ go, chair/sit

3. Location

Where your hands are located in relation to your body; changing position can change meaning.

Where you place and form the sign.

For example, mother/ father

Tense ( past, present , future)

Gender ( male, female)

4. Palm Orientation The direction in which your palm is pointing; wrist position

forward – palms are facing away from the body

Inward – palms are facing toward the body Horizontal – palms are parallel to the floor

Palm toward palm – palms are facing each other

Palm to palm - palms are applied to each other

My/mine - yours

5. Non manual markers– Eyes ,eyebrows, shape of mouth, head /shoulder movement. Conveys meaning; is equivalent to voice, volume and tone

There are over 100 mouth movements in ASL that are used to determine I the word is an adverb/ adjective. Body position/ role shifting conveys who is speaking.

Position of your eyebrows and facial expressions Informs the audience if is statement or question.

Word Hand shape Movement Location Palm Non manual Orientation marker