ASL Classifiers Flashcards

ASL Classifiers Overview

• Classifiers in ASL represent objects, movements, and relationships in various categories, allowing for nuanced expression.

CL-1

• Represents long, skinny objects and movement of singular entities (e.g., a person, caterpillar).
• Used for trajectory paths (e.g., a ball's flight) and delineating 2D shapes (e.g., circles, posters).

CL-3

• Classifier for motorized vehicles including cars, buses, and motorcycles.
• Demonstrates events related to vehicles (e.g., parking) and their movements or locations.

CL-3claw

• Represents small, gripable objects like a baseball or computer mouse.
• Indicates large beaks for birds of prey and the action of stocking items.

CL-4

• Used for parallel lines, group formations (e.g., people in a line), and objects that flow (e.g., water).
• Represents traffic flow and bandwidth streaming in media contexts.

CL-5

• Indicates upright objects and the state of being stiff (e.g., hair standing).
• Represents movements and concepts relating to objects that spread or project (e.g., vomit, fan movement).

CL-5bent

• Used for light waves and the movement of aquatic creatures (e.g., jellyfish).
• Applicable in technology contexts (e.g., video conferencing) for transitory actions.

CL-5claw

• Represents rough, jagged objects and large clusters (e.g., crowds, piles).
• Demonstrates the action of withering and curling (e.g., plants, hair).

CL-Aopen

• Denotes positioning of specific objects (e.g., a house on a street) and their relation to people or other objects.
• Used to signify commuting actions of individuals.

CL-B

• Represents smooth, flat surfaces and delineates 3D objects (e.g., houses, boxes).
• Indicates spatial dimensions like height and width.

CL-Bcurved

• Classifier for curved objects that may include bowls or sinks.

CL-Bbent

• Depicts sharp-cornered objects, such as trailers or shelves, as well as size-related concepts.

CL-C

• Represents both long and short cylindrical objects (e.g., pipes, glasses).
• Indicates thickness and depth of objects.

CL-Cclaw

• Classifier for clusters of medium-sized objects and large, squat items.

CL-Csmall

• Used for small, round flat objects such as coins or food items.

CL-Cflat

• Represents the handling or state of flat items and indicates emotional expressions (smiles, frowns).

CL-F

• Indicates small, round, thin items and their manipulation (e.g., threading a needle).

CL-Fopen

• Represents small, round, flat objects and applies to tactile handling situations.

CL-G

• Used to specify small sizes or shapes and the manipulation of such items, indicating visual perceptions.

CL-U

• Denotes thin, flat objects and movement/action involving spreading or placing.

CL-H

• Represents clamping or fastening actions, typically with small objects.

CL-Hopen

• Used for representing actions with medium-sized brushes or a tongue.

CL-I

• Classifier for thin, long objects and boundary lines.

CL-horns

• Represents two-horned animals or pronged items and sharp-edged objects.

CL-ILY

• Classifier for types of aircraft and their movements during flight activities.

CL-L

• Represents thin, squared objects in various contexts of placement.

CL-Lcurved

• Denotes larger circular or oval-shaped objects and their surfaces.

CL-O

• For thick, medium-sized cylindrical objects and viewing devices.

CL-Oflat

• Indicates a state of being flat or empty and describes certain animal forms.

CL-R

• Represents braided or twisted materials and slightly thick objects like cigars.

CL-S

• Used for solid spherical objects, illustrating movement or ramming devices.

CL-V

• Classifier for depicting the positions and movements of legs or groups of people.

CL-Vbent

• Denotes crouched positions and the arrangement of chairs.

CL-X

• Represents hunched objects and scratching or digging actions, along with items that bend.

CL-Xcocked

• For denoting small bulbous or sprouting objects before action.

CL-Xmodified

• Indicates small objects that can be manipulated between fingers.

CL-Xclosed

• Classifier for manipulating very small items or fine tools.

CL-Y

• Represents long, wide objects and those having handles, spanning objects for measurement.