Giving Assistance
Master ASL
Unit 2
Prof JC Weisenberg © 2007
(adapted with permission J. Colonna ©2006)
How to ask for assistance…
1. State the problem. Examples:
•
“I feel sick.”
•
“I don’t understand the homework.”
•
“I don’t have a car.”
•
“I can’t lift this box.”
•
“I don’t know where I’m going.”
(The instructor will demonstrate this sign.)
How to ask for assistance…
2. Ask if the person would help you. Ex.
Note: use the polite ASL construction:
“Do you mind…”
(The instructor will demonstrate this sign.)
How to ask for assistance…
3.
The person can either accept or decline to help you. You then can react
appropriately: upset, relieved, happy or any emotion. Ex.
Negative responses:
Sorry, I can’t.
I’m busy.
No, I don’t want to.
Positive responses:
Sure!
Ok!
I can later.
I can’t now. Later?
I can.
I don’t mind.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You were making dinner and cut
yourself on a knife. You need a band-aid.
Find your sibling and ask them to help you.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON B: Your sibling cut himself and
needs a band-aid. Offer to help them.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You don’t understand the
assignment from Prof Weisenberg…Ask if
your friend has notes and could (s)he study
with you.
Help! I need somebody…!
PERSON B: Your friend needs help with the
homework, and you want to, but are rather
busy at the moment. Offer to do it later
tonight.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You have tickets to a game, but
your car has a flat tire and is still in the
driveway. Ask your boyfriend/parent/partner
if (s)he could drive you tonight.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON B: You really are upset that you
can’t go to this game yourself, so you
selfishly tell your ---- you can’t. Sorry!
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You just bought a new computer
and printer, but you don’t know how to set it
up. Ask your friend to help you move it
upstairs and attach all the wires, and teach
you the ‘setup’.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON B: You know exactly what to do with
the computer…and you’re feeling pretty
strong too! So you of course want to help!
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You are moving to your dorm
tomorrow. Ask if your friend can help you.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON B: You are busy in the morning. But
you can help later, in the afternoon.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You don’t know where your ASL
class is. You can’t remember the room
number. Ask another student for help.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON B: You don’t know either! You are in
the same ASL class though. Suggest that the
two of you go looking for it together.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You want to know where the
party is after ASL class. Ask another student.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON B: You think the party was cancelled
because of the rain. Sorry!
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON A: You were supposed to watch a
movie with your friend but you are too tired
from all your ASL studying. Ask a friend if
you can sleep for a little bit. Then meet later.
Help! I need somebody…!
• PERSON B: You don’t mind. You are tired too.
You can meet later.