ASL Location
The specific ASL feature for today is LOCATION. If you just joined us, you may want to start with the post “Focus on Sign Production“.
There are 20 major contact points on the body (Liddell & Johnson, 2000):
- back of head
- top of head
- forehead – see the example below for DAD
- side of forehead
- nose
- cheek
- ear
- mouth – see the example below for BIRD
- lip
- jaw
- chin – see the example below for MOM
- neck
- shoulder
- sternum
- chest
- trunk
- upper arm
- forearm
- adbomen
- leg
There are also locations in space that don’t contact the body – see the example below for TWENTY.
Notice the signs for MOM and DAD have the same handshape. They both move in the same way. The only difference is the location of the sign, either on the forehead or at the chin. The same is true for the signs for BIRD and TWENTY. The only difference between the two is the location where they are signed.
Think of all the vocabulary you know. See how many you can come up with for each of the locations listed. If you need help with vocabulary practice, order our Volume 1 CD.
Who Are You?
I’m imagining that those of you who are reading this are teaching yourself, or maybe teaching your children or a class of hearing children. If you’re using this information in another way, please let me know! I’d love to hear from you!
Liddell, Scott K. and Robert E. Johnson. “ American Sign Language:The Phonological Base.” Linguistics of American Sign Language an Introduction, Third Edition. Eds. Clayton Valli and Ceil Lucas. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press, 2000. 286-87. Print.
