Workshop Notes: Signs Have Parts ... and Much More!

Signs Have Parts … and Much More!

by:

Carl Schroeder

Coordinator

American Sign Language Studies Program

to be presented at
Silent Weekend

Western Oregon University

August 14-16, 2009

Abstract: American Sign Language (ASL) is a rule-governed language which can be said to be broken into five language components: phonology, semantics, syntax, discourse, and pragmatics. This workshop shall focus on linguistic networks of all components of ASL, starting with the underlying structure--the lexicon--undergoing linguistic regulations and applications before arriving at the surface structure--the utterance. Participants will examine each language component and then synthesize the linguistic procedures of all components in good, clear ASL.

In the other words: During this workshop, we will have noted that users of ASL know tens of thousands of signs, most of which they can locate in a fraction of a second. Such huge numbers, and such efficiency in finding those required, suggest that these signs are carefully organized, not just stacked in random heaps. This workshop will discuss the five language components retrieving signs from the mental dictionary (lexicon) to the surface structure (utterance). The workshop participants shall witness the results of a normal ASL retrieval process.

ASL Phonology: The structure of signs (hand shapes, palm orientations, locations, non-manual expressions and modifier movements).

Participants shall examine marked and unmarked hand configurations, identify the articulatory bundles, and apply the H-deletions in sign productions.


ASL Semantics: The meanings of signs and classifiers, and the networks of meanings among them.

Participants shall analyze two basic systems of signs used in ASL: arbitrary and descriptive. They shall identify the basic distinction between signs and classifiers.


ASL Syntax: The way signs are strung together to convey thoughts and ideas; the spherical patterns of sentence construction.

Participants shall do grammar by employing insights from contemporary linguistic theories and building them into a practical and coherent system that stays within ASL models.


ASL Discourse: The structure of stories, explanations, descriptions, and other signing constructions longer than sentences.

Participants shall analyze discourse and realize that ASL, action and knowledge are interdependent. They will study how ASL is used in social interaction by examining shared knowledge and assumptions between signers and signees.


ASL Pragmatics: The variations in the use according to the context and purpose.

Participants shall examine three fundamental aspects of human experience involving ASL: what Deaf people do, what Deaf people know, and the things Deaf people make and use.