Why do some signs have more than one meaning?

1. Why do some signs have more than one meaning?

2. Wondering why signs have more than one meaning most likely results from matching one English word to just one ASL sign or an English word. • Some signs have very subtle differences that many hearing signers overlook like noun-verb pairs, while other nuances that affect meaning are conveyed by non-manual signals.

3. Yet some signs are the same and have different meanings

4. How does that work? How does one know the difference?

5. The answer is the two C’s • An example of concept is Clothing, dress and to wear all share the same concept: something covering one’s body. • The English language lacks words for some ASL concepts, such as the influence of gender

6. When the meaning of a single- sign or word changes depending on how it is used in a sentence, then that sign’s meaning depends on context. For example, the ASL sign shirt and volunteer. Neither meaning shares a concepts so why do they share the same sign? The answer is a matter of opinion.

7. The role of context becomes clear with the example: If someone is signing about clothing and uses the sign, then the meaning is clear: Shirt. However if signing about a project or activity, then the context means volunteer. Paying attention to context is essential. The more you practice, the more you will “just know” differences between signs that have more than one meaning.

8. American Sign Language is Not English. ASL has its own grammar, structure and nuances that are designed for the eye not the ear. Remember ASL makes visual sense and was developed to serve the language needs of a community of people who do not hear.

9. One word in English can have many separate signs in ASL depending on the concept • For example “get” and “got” in the following sentences each uses a different sign

10. Please get the book, sign is “to get something” • Please get him, the sign is “shoulder tap” • I don’t get it, the sign is “not to understand” • I get tired, the sign is “to become” • I got home, the sign is “to arrive” • I’ve got it, the sign is “to have”

11. Try to visualize the concept and don’t worry about not knowing specific signs for every English phrase you have in mind. Try to communicate your concept by pointing, miming, and using other signs you know rather than fingerspelling the unknown term • Do Not talk silently or whisper while signing because ASL uses lips as aprt of grammar

12. As a beginning student you will want to keep your eye on the hands of the person who is signing, with practice you will learn to watch the signers hands, lips and face all at one time.