<p>Elements of a sign - Also called the Five Sign Parameters</p><p>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.</p><p>1. Handshape</p><p>The shape or shapes in which we form or make our hand during the production of a sign.</p><p>There are over 50 different handshapes in ASL. </p><p>“A” – aunt , yourself “B” – blue “C” – hot “F” – soon “5” - farm </p><p>2. Movement</p><p>How the hands move; the action that makes the sign. Shows direction, emphasis & intensity.</p><p>Circle</p><p>Up/down</p><p>Forward/ backward</p><p>Size of motion</p><p>Speed of motion</p><p>Ex. up/ down, in/ out, come/ go, chair/sit</p><p>3. Location</p><p>Where your hands are located in relation to your body; changing position can change meaning.</p><p>Where you place and form the sign. </p><p>For example, mother/ father </p><p>Tense ( past, present , future)</p><p>Gender ( male, female)</p><p>4. Palm Orientation The direction in which your palm is pointing; wrist position</p><p> forward – palms are facing away from the body</p><p>Inward – palms are facing toward the body Horizontal – palms are parallel to the floor</p><p>Palm toward palm – palms are facing each other </p><p>Palm to palm - palms are applied to each other </p><p>My/mine - yours</p><p>5. Non manual markers– Eyes ,eyebrows, shape of mouth, head /shoulder movement. Conveys meaning; is equivalent to voice, volume and tone</p><p>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.</p><p>Position of your eyebrows and facial expressions Informs the audience if is statement or question.</p><p>Word Hand shape Movement Location Palm Non manual Orientation marker </p>