Author Archives: CathiB
Focus on Non-Manual Signals
Learning ASL – Focus on Non-Manual Signals Learning ASL is not only about what is happening with the hands. Things happening with eyebrows, cheeks, shoulders, eye gaze … all can change the meaning of a message. These signals, sometimes called … Continue reading
Posted in Learning ASL
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That Deaf Guy
A Peak at Deaf Culture with That Deaf Guy It is commonly understood in bilingual education that language can’t be separated from culture. For those of you new to learning American Sign Language, the idea that there is a culture … Continue reading
Posted in Deaf Culture
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Focus on Palm Orientation
Focus on Palm Orientation The fourth parameter in our lesson on sign production is ‘Palm Orientation’. The direction the palm of your hand is facing can impact the meaning of the sign. In the examples above, the difference between the … Continue reading
Focus on ASL Movement
ASL Movement Remember we’ve been talking about American Sign Language production of signs. Handshape – specific shapes of the hand Movement – the specific handshape moves in a specific way Location – the specific handshape, that moves in a specific … Continue reading
Posted in Learning ASL
Tagged American Sign Language, ASL, Learn ASL, Learning American Sign Language
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Focus on ASL Location
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): … Continue reading
Resource Reviews
Focus on Handshapes – Two Terrific Products Last time we had a brief discussion about handshapes as an element of ASL sign production and looked at a few signs using the “5” handshape. Two of my favorite resources for focusing … Continue reading
Posted in Reviews & Recommendations
Tagged American Sign Language, ASL, ASL Poetry, ASL Rose, Learn ASL
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Focus on ASL Handshapes
ASL Handshapes Do you know the ASL signs for the concepts in the pictures? Do you know what the signs have in common? Our discussion last time looked at how signs are produced. Today, we’ll focus on the part … Continue reading
Focus on Sign Production
Focus on Sign Production For those of you teaching yourself American Sign Language, or learning from a book, or using a book as reference for teaching a class of youngsters, here is some basic information about sign formation. As you … Continue reading
Posted in Learning ASL
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For New ASL Learners
Places to Observe and Practice So you’ve been taking classes or practicing from a book or videos and you’re wondering how to get some ‘real’ practice. Unlike learning other world languages where you might be able to go to a … Continue reading
Posted in Learning ASL
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A Little Bit About Gerardo
Gerardo Di Pietro Visualize ASL is so fortunate to have Gerardo as our model on our Volume 1 CD. His enthusiasm, energy and love of ASL are so evident in everything he does. Volume 1 is Basic Vocabulary, which somewhat … Continue reading
