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http://ww
w.youtube.
com/watch
?v=202hHdEyeM
Multiple Meanings
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Classifiers
in ASL
Part 2 of ASL 2 lecture,
May 3, 2012
2011
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Iconic signs and Classifier
Descriptions

Many non-signers believe signing is “gestures in the air”no!!!

There are some elements of ASL that are more iconic than
others, and appear “gesture-like”- such as classifiers- but
they are a part of the grammar
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ASL has a complex grammatical system and has a structure
more similar to spoken Chinese than English
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One examples is the classifier system
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What are classifiers?
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Classifiers have no meaning on their own- they must be used
in conjunction with their noun
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English has very few classifiers- (tons=? Stack=?) example:
tons of homework, stacks of paper (and we can avoid using
classifiers if we choose to do so)
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In spoken Chinese: Flat objects (table, paper, bed) vs. thin
objects, etc.
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In ASL, we have a similar system
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Classifiers show, for example, the shape, description, and
number of items
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In ASL, classifiers (classifier predicates) are required for
certain expressions
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Predicates
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“The boy
is sick.”
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Subject

In ASL:
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_______t__
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BOY
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Verb can lead the predicate
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In this case, however, the adjective is the predicate (no verb
“to be”)
Predicate
IX SICK
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ASL also has CLASSIFIER predicates 
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CAR CL (3): “drive up hill” = “The car is driving up the hill.”
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Classifier Predicates (classifiers)a type of verbs (Valli)
 Use
the 5 parameters (handshape, movement,
location, palm orientation, nonmanual signals)
 Nonmanuals
 Classifier
 The
 If
such as “thin”, “cha”, etc.
predicates have a location (3-d space)
location tells where the object is
the handshape moves, it shows the object’s
destination (where it goes)
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Classifier Predicates (aka Classifiers):
Handshapes that represent a concept (size,
shape, function, etc.)
Glossed with a CL before the item
The handshape is after the : ---example:
CL:3
The description in English is in “ “
Example: CL:3 “car rolls over”
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Classifier types in ASL:
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Entity (semantic classifiers)- items,- types of nouns- CL:1
“person walking fast”, CL:bent-V “row of chairs”, CL:3 “car
parks”
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Instrumental- tools, such as scalpel, chisel (use your hand or
part of body) – CL “play checkers”, CL “light match”, CL
“garbage dump out”
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Size and Shape Specifiers (descriptive classifiers):
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Depth and width
-Perimeter shape, etc.
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Locative classifiers- placement, spatial information- CL (5)
“leaf floating on the ground”; CL:C, CL:B “place cup on
napkin”
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Body Part Classifiers -BPCL:F “look at”, BPCL “cross legs”,
BPCL: flat C “grin”
Classifier Predicates- Examples:
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CL:F-small, round- e.g. polkadots, button, thin tube
CL:B- flat items-e.g. shelves, door, window
CL:1- linear items- eg.sticks, pencils, worm, person
walking
CL-3- vehicles
CL:U- flat and rectangular items-e..g. diving board,
tongue depressor, ribbon
CL: bent-V - crouching animal, people sitting, etc.
CL (5 spread)- e.g. windy, ripples in a lake, etc.
Size
and
Shape
Specifiers
(Valli
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p.81)
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Movement shows: eg. speed (Valli
p. 91)
Other variations: up hill, two cars passing each other, surface pass
person, etc.
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Test Question:
Classifiers are—
Classifiers are:
A. Signs that are similar
to adjectives
B. Predicate Verbs that
have no meaning on
their own, but must
be used with a noun
C. Signs that are just
gestures
D. Predicate gestures
that have no meaning
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Test Question:
Which of the following English
expressions use classifiers to sign in ASL?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
A. A person walking down the street
B. A stack of papers
C. A barrell
D. A scalpel (surgical tool)
E. all of the above
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Test question:
What are SASS (descriptive classifiers)?
A. A. Shape and Smoothness Signs
B. B. Size and Sharpness of Signs
C. C. Signs that are Surrounded by Shape
D. D. Size and Shape Specifiers
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The
End!