th
5
parameter
PURPOSE OF ASL PROSODY?
Prosody is the combination of features in
any language that produces the rhythm,
accent, and “feel” of the language. In
ASL, prosody is a visual spatial image,
created by several features. These
features include head and body
movements, eye squint, eyebrow
movement, mouth movement, speed of
signing, sign formation, pacing, and
pausing. These features are often very
difficult for interpreters to acquire.
Help you follow facial expression, head
movement, mouth movement eye brows,
body movement, & a total use of every
part of your body when using ASL. It will
enables you to follow along the story.
 to give you the accurate information on
how to follow, interpret what the signer is
trying to say.
 to give you clues on how to read the ASL
 It will also allow you to give your comment
to the other signers.

IDENTIFY
DIFFERENT FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
ANGRY, ANNOYED, AGGRESSIVE, BORED,
CAUTIOUS, CONFIDENT, CONFUSED,
CURIOUS, DISAPPOINTED, DISGUSTED,
ENVIOUS, ECSTATIC, HAPPY, HELPLESS,
HOPEFUL, HOSTILE, INTERESTED,
MISCHIEVOUS, PAINED, PUZZLED,
RELIEVED, SATISFIED, SHOCK, SURE,
SURPRISED, SUSPICIOUS, UNDECIDED
BUG SCREEN
Shadowing ASL
Non-Manual Signals Functions
1. Conversation Regulators
2. Reflection of Emotion States
3. Constructed Action
4. Grammatical Marker
5. Lexical Signs
6. Modifiers
ASL Mouth Morphemes
 Functions:
Verbs
Adverbs
Modals
(Adjectives)
SMART
SMART
SMART
SMART
SMART
SMART
SMART
Intelligent
 Bright
 Genius
 Clever
 Educated
 Sharp
 Resourceful
 Wise

Brainy
 Brilliant
 Whiz
 Competent
 Masterly
 Keen
 Gifted
 Ingenious

SMART
Expert
 Witty
 Astute
 Nimble
 Agile
 Apt
 Guru
 Proficient

Advanced
 Discerning
 Egghead
 Knowing
 Knowledgeable
 Inventive
 Quick-witted
 Einstein

ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
If one
movement
Pursed Blow
Puckered lip
SMART
 Smart
 Intelligent
 Genius
 Sharp
 Witty
 Savvy
 Clever
 Gifted
 Bright
 Brilliant
 Einstein
Einstein
Genius
SMART:
Brilliant
ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
Gifted
Savvy
Intelligent
Witty
Smart
Bright
Clever
Sharp
Group activity
UGLY
 ugly
 grungy
 unattractive
 hideous
 bad-looking
 horrid
 beast
 repulsive
 grisly
 revolting
 gross
 unlovely
 grotesque
 unsightly
ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
If one
movement
Pursed Blow
Puckered lip
PRETTY
 pretty
 dreamboat
 beautiful
 elegant
 appealing
 fair,
 charming
 foxy
 cute
 good-looking
 dainty
 looker
 delicate
 lovely
 dishy
 gorgeous
fine
 enchanting
ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
If one
movement
Pursed Blow
Puckered lip
CLEAN
 clean
 orderly
 uncluttered
 shining
 clear
 sparkling
 faultless,
 spic-and-span
flawless
 fresh
 hygienic
 sterilized
 neat
 spotless
 squeaky
 tidy
ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
If one
movement
Pursed Blow
Puckered lip
DIRTY
Dirty
 Filthy
 Grimy
 Contaminated
 Crummy
 Greasy
 Grubby
 Grungy
 Icky

Nasty
 Scummy
 Slimy
 smudged, smutty
 stained
 unkempt
 unsanitary
 untidy
 yucky
 gross

ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
If one
movement
Pursed Blow
Puckered lip
NICE
nice
 admirable
 agreeable
 attractive
 courteous
 cultured
 delightful

favorable
 friendly
 gentle
 gracious
 kind, kindly,
 lovely
 pleasant, pleasurable
 polite, well-mannered

ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
If one
movement
Pursed Blow
Puckered lip
MEAN
 mean
 difficult
 unlikable
 evil
 rude
 hard-nosed
 hostile
 rotten
 bad-tempered
 shameless
 cantankerous
 unfriendly
 despicable
 unpleasant
 vicious
ASL Mouth Morpheme
Inflection Degree
If one
movement
Pursed Blow
Puckered lip
MM
- understanding, taking-it-easy/leisurely
action verbs: WRITE, WALK, DRIVE,
LOOK, COOK
- Moderate in size, distance, time-related
FFF
-
with sympathy:
SORRY, AWFUL, REALLY, PITY,
WOW, FEEL
- FUNNY, FIST, CUTE
OOO
-
wowed:
THINK-WOW, NEAT, NEW,
AWFUL (unbelievable), OIC
-
NOON, SHOES, WHO,
LONG-TIME-AGO
AHH
- distance or time for a long period:
FAR AWAY, ALL-DAY, ALL-NIGHT,
TRAVEL-ALL-OVER, SOMETIME IN
FUTURE, ONCE UPON A TIME
- IN AWE, FALL-INTO-IMMERSION,
FASCINATED, OIC
PUFFED CHEEK
- PLENTY, FAT, HUGE, WADS OF
MONEY, BRAINY
- FANCY, EXPENSIVE, SO-CHEAP
- AWFUL*
IS
- GETTING-BY, SO-CLOSE, SMART,
TOO-EXPENSIVE, VERY-CLEAN,
VERY-DIRTY
- action verbs with difficulty:
DANCE, FINGERSPELL, PRACTICE,
READ, SIGNING, EXPLAINING
- WOW, SILLY*, FEELING, SORRY
BRR
-
GUN DOWN (sound-imitation)
-
“too - ____” : MANY-PEOPLE, BORED,
COLD, BEAUTIFUL, SMART, STUPID,
CHEAP, DIRTY, EXPENSIVE
SOA
- PEEVED, HATE, RIVAL, LIE
-
“Sooooooo-_______”:
COLD, SMART, LUCKY, CHEAP,
EXPENSIVE, PROUD, CLEAN
INTENSE
with extreme:
HORDES/PACKED, CROWDED,
PITCH-BLACK(DARK),
BROWN-NOSE/FLATTER,
TAKE-ADVANTAGE-OF, TAKE-OVERLAND, HOT, RAIN, THUNDER
Inflection Degree with ASL Mouthings & Eyes
INTENSE
SOA
BRR
IS
PUFFED CHEEK
AHH
LIP PRESS
OOO
FFF
MM
FLAT
(Squint Eyes)
NEUTRAL
(Normal Eye)
(Open Eyes)
 Examples:
SMART
FINE(wg)
AWFUL
SORRY
Credits

B. Bridges & M. Metzger.(1996) Deaf Tend Your. Silver Spring, MD:
Calliope Press.

B. Bridges. The Fifth Parameter: Non-Manual Signals. (videotape/DVD
- soon to be released)

C. Lucas & C. Valli. (1995, 2nd ed.) Linguistics of American Sign
Language: An Introduction. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University
Press.

SLNG 1445 course lecture notes at Austin Community College by
Byron Bridges, Nathie Marbury, and Lisa Gelineau.

Baker-Shenk & C. Cokely American Sign Language: A Teacher’s
Resource Text on Grammar and Culture (Green Books)